Tae Kwon Do students to compete in Duluth Beginner and advanced students last week at St. Martin School in Terrace Bay. by Darren MacDonald Staff At the recent Thunder Country Open in Thunder Bay, the 14 Tae Kwon Do students from this area who entered took home 16 trophies. Instructor Jim Pope is a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, and teaches both disciplines to local stu- dents. He says Tae Kwon Do is primarily an aggressive martial art, while the latter is primarily defensive. He teaches the classes with the assistance of his wife, Tracy, who is a red stripe. Pope says he's seen major growth in the sport in this area since he began teaching two years ago. "When I first started, there were six people in the class," he says. Today, Pope teaches 70 students from Terrace Bay, Schreiber and Rossport. There are three classes, bro- ken down into beginner children, who can range in age from five to 13, advanced chil- dren and adult classes. "The main thing kids learn is courtesy and respect," says Pope. "They also learn disci-' pline and self-control through the training, as well as friend- ship and perseverance." The students aren't allowed to make head contact when they spar until they reach their red belt, which is one step away from their black stripe. In all, there are eleven belts and stripes, and Pope says there are nine achievable degrees of black belts. "Tt takes about three months to get the first belt," says Pope. "But each one after that takes a bit longer, because there's so many moves they have to remember." He says that about ten stu- dents will be heading to Duluth, Minnesota, Nov. 14 to take part in the Superior Open Karate Championships. Judging at tournaments are comparable to gymnastics, and . participants are graded-on a scale of one to 10. Pope says the four judges look for things like power techniques, general movements and how well a student is able to focus their mind. "They are supposed to envi- sion an attacker," he says. Tae Kwon Do originated in Korea in 1956, and it's the * Korean national sport. Trans- lated it means the art of kick punch, and it's based on an ancient Korean martial art called Teak Kwon. Pope says that the sport is becoming quite popular in Canada, as shown by our recent success in martial arts at the Barcelona Olympics. "It's becoming one of the more popular sports around," he says. "There are many good coaches in Canada." Beginning students learn basic blocking techniques, as well as basic stances, forms, kick movements and sparring techniques. The training becomes more advanced as students move through the belts, learning things like self-defence move- ments and in-depth sparring movements. They also learn hand strikes and power kicks. 2d) earn a black belt, it takes a lot of dedication," says Pope. - Page 9, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1992, News You are invited to a RETIREMENT PARTY for Henry (Nick) Bain Friday, Nov 6, 1992 at 8:00 p.m. at The Schreiber Legion Hall Cash Bar Wishing Well MINNOVA INC. WINSTON LAKE DIVISION INDUSTRIAL ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE Requires a Chairperson This committee was recently established under the federal and provincial governments' Industrial Adjustment Services Programs. Its purpose is to establish plans to assist employees and their families in making an effective transition from employment with Winston Lake, 'during the future downsizing and closure of the mine, which is now scheduled for 1997. The chairperson will assist the committee in meeting its mandate by guiding and facilitating committee activities. This will involve the chairing of regular and special committee meetings held at the mine site, monitoring of committee expenditures and the preparation of a final committee report. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in a resource industry, and will have a proven ability to lead and direct a diverse group of individuals towards common objectives. The candidate must bring to the position a high level of commitment and have the time available to ensure that the committee achieves the best possible results. Above average communication skills are also required. A per diem payment and coverage of expenses will be provided. If you are interested in working with our committee please forward a copy of your resume in confidence by Thursday, November 12, 1992 to: Winston Lake Industrial Adjustment Committee c/o P.O. Bag #2 SCHREIBER, Ontario POT 2S0