The Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration on Tuesday at Kampala Serena Hotel left many Ugandans purring.
The team presented the essence of Korean Martial Arts in highly-flying and gravity-defying moments.
This is one of the series lined up by the Korean Embassy to celebrate the 60 years of diplomatic relations with Uganda.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and the Korea Ambassador to Uganda H.E Park Sung-soo among other dignitaries attended the event.
Earlier events on the evening included K-pop dance by Smash Talent Kid and Taekwondo Demonstration by Kumi University.
“It’s the World’s best,” Master Seongnam Hong of Kumi University, briefly described Kukkiwon’s performance.
“We (Kumi) also want to catch up and want to be the best in Uganda. We hope that our skills can go up through hard work.”
Kumi was named the most disciplined team with the highest Taekwondo spirit at the concluded Ambassador’s Cup over the Weekend at Lugogo.
“We don’t want to give up, we want to continue improving. We will someday reach our goals, and may be in ten years or less we shall be at the Olympics,” the Korean master added.
He revealed that there are about 300 participants, including Students and Community Children, who gather at Kumi University every Friday and Saturday to learn Taekwondo.
He has the help of eight black belts coaches, with some kids learning Poomsae.
“Some of our students have dreams of making it through Taekwondo, including going to Korea.”
Seongnam, a missionary who came to Uganda in 2015, revealed that his challenge however is mainly communication.
“Most of the participants speak only in Teso, and I speak English, so some of my students have to translate.
“There is a communication gap, they have to learn English and I also have to learn Teso so that I pass on my skills perfectly.”
When asked on the financial hardships, his answer was brief; “I just pray.”
He said that Uganda can become a Taekwondo powerhouse if they start the Sport an early age, around six years.
“My children I teach are a little bit grown now. But we have to start at an earlier age.”
