By Honorary Reporter Viviane Vaz from Belgium
Photos = Viviane Vaz

The Belgian Francophone Association of Taekwondo (ABTF) on Oct. 12 celebrated its 40th anniversary by holding Korea-related activities at the Erasmus campus of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB).

The nearly 500 people in attendance participated in workshops on Korean martial arts and culture such as sparring, breaking, forms, hapkido, Haedong kumdo, janggu (traditional drum) and even K-Pop dance.

Having discovered the sound of the hourglass-shaped Korean drum janggu, I attended a janggu workshop by musician Basile Peuvion. I left the event, however, to make more room for children since they were the majority of people there.

Instead, I decided to try the Haedong school of kumdo (Korean art of swordsmanship). "When you hold the sword, it's not about adding strength but following the flow. It's a natural movement,” said kumdo master Yves Gengler.

I was inspired by Korean movies set in the Joseon Dynasty period and tried to do my best to follow the master's teachings. I almost felt like I was dancing in practicing several of the movements alone.

Taekwondo in Belgium

Belgium is among the more than 200 countries that practice taekwondo, Korea's most popular martial art.

ABTF President Abdelhak Boubouh said that before the association's founding, Korean and Belgian pioneers in the martial art pursued their passion for it. In 1973, the nation's first club was opened under the guidance of master Ly Thanh Son, who still teaches today and attended the event.

"Master Lee Kwan-young made his mark on the origins of taekwondo in Hainaut. Georges Wattier and Georges Leblanc were also part of the first wave (of taekwondo instructors)," Boubouh added.

The ABTF head also highlighted the work of the late master Lee Bheom-jhoo, who died in 2008, saying, "His academy produced hundreds of black belts who teach taekwondo at federation-affiliated studios."

In May 1979, a group of taekwondo figures assembled in Laeken to set up a body to promote, develop, organize and study the martial art in Belgium. Today, the ABTF is the main authority in the country's French-speaking region for the organization and promotion of taekwondo, and is recognized by the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (COIB). The federation has more than 100 clubs and nearly 4,000 affiliates.

Why are so many Belgians interested in taekwondo? According to the ABTF, they practice it every day to learn, have fun, improve health and acquire ethical values. The disabled can also practice taekwondo thanks to a para-taekwondo commission.


Check out the federation's Facebook page below to follow the state of taekwondo in Belgium: https://www.facebook.com/abft.be/



chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.