By Honorary Reporter Shaymaa Gamal from Egypt

Photos: Shaymaa Gamal

As a Korea.net Honorary Reporter invited by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Egypt to its 10-year anniversary celebration, I covered the KCC's event at its Taekwondo Academy on Feb. 1.

The academy began this year with an eight-week program that chose 40 out of 700 applicants — 20 beginners and 20 intermediate-level students. The non-novice participants had completed the entry-level course. 

I got to take part in the academy's first intermediate-level course, following four for novices last year.

The class began with a greeting from instructor An Hyung-won, who was dispatched from Kukkiwon, the Seoul-based headquarters of the martial art's world governing body World Taekwondo.

Warm-up exercises started the class, which moved on to poomsae (forms), techniques like the high front, front and spinning kicks, and gyeokpa (breaking boards).

The following are excerpts from a Feb. 1 interview with instructor An plus those with two of his students on the same day. 

Briefly introduce yourself.
I am an envoy from Kukkiwon, the headquarters of World Taekwondo. I train the Egyptian national taekwondo team in poomsae and teach classes at the Taekwondo Academy of the KCC in Egypt.

Why did you choose taekwondo and how has your experience been in Egypt?
Koreans have their children learn taekwondo from a young age. I started it to become healthier and develop a strong body but continued it as a career. I became a coach and was chosen by Kukkiwon for dispatch to Egypt. Because taekwondo also has a positive effect on morality, I consider it a way of benefiting the mind. 

My experience in Egypt has been beautiful and I've been very impressed by the determination, passion and love for learning taekwondo by Egyptian students. I'm thrilled to see how much my students have improved. 

What are your goals at the KCC in Egypt's Taekwondo Academy?
I hope to attract as many taekwondo fans as possible and offer the opportunity to those interested. I also hope that the Egyptian national team wins more medals and that Korea's sports relations with Egypt grow further.

Two students, Nancy Sayed and Ghalia Sherif, also shared their thoughts about the academy.

Describe your experiences at the Taekwondo Academy.

Sherif: I attended the fourth beginner class there last year, completing both the semester and its final session. The KCC organized a brief gathering for feedback on our experiences and suggestions for improving training.

Students proposed classes for higher levels and advanced training for graduates. A week after graduation, the academy announced an intermediate-level class.

Practicing taekwondo brings me great joy. With my deep interest in Korean culture and curiosity about taekwondo, I'm eager to continue and grow more proficient in the sport.

Sayed: I am at the intermediate level. One benefit of the academy was gaining the ability to break a wooden board with my feet and hands, something that gave me more self-confidence and the courage to try new things. 

I must give credit instructor An credit for this. He always encouraged us even during the beginner exam and asked us not to worry when we were anxious during the test. My happiest moment was receiving a certificate for passing the exam and a yellow belt with my name inscribed on it. 

msjeon22@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.