The 2004 Korean Masters Seminar culminated in a spectacular demonstration on Sat. May 22. The demonstration featured groups and individuals from all of the martial arts taught at the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. in Rochester, MN. It also featured several groups from martial arts schools as far as 100 miles away. Several awards were presented to Rochester city officials and to officers of the Korea/USA SimMuDo Association.

GrandMaster Song, Pan Gon is a 9th dan black belt from Shihung City, S. Korea. He was present at the demonstrations as a guest of honor and as the President of the Korea SimMuDo Association. GrandMaster Song was presented with certificates of appreciation by Rochester city official Dennis Hanson (right) and Fred Gommels. Professor John Chambers of Florida also presented GrandMaster Song with a gift bullwhip, hand-crafted by a renowned artisan (bottom right). In return, GrandMaster Song presented certificates to Master Fred Gommels of Rochester (bottom left), Professor John Chambers of Florida, Master Francis Moore of Iowa, and to Kirby Strissel of Rochester for work they have done on behalf of the Korea/USA SimMuDo Association.

Youth TaeKwonDo TaeKwonDo is Korea's national sport. It employs hand strikes and awesome kicks for self-defense and fitness. Demonstrations by members of the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN. Hapkido Hapkido comes from Korea. It combines techniques from the Japanese martial arts of judo, yawara and aikido with the strikes and kicks of Korean Tae Kwon Do. The hapkido practitioner will apply joint locks, throws and restraining techniques to neutralize an attacker. Demonstrations by members of the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN. Jujitsu Jujitsu combines standing defense techniques (blocking, striking, joint locks and throws) with ground-fighting techniques (escapes, strikes and joint locks). Demonstrations by members of the Rochester Jujitsu Academy of Rochester, MN. Korean Weaponry The weapons taught to members of the Korean Weaponry program are the nunchaku, wooden sword, and 5-foot staff. Demonstrations by members of the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN. Aikido - The Way of the Spirit of Harmony Aikido differs from other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to neutralize an attacker without causing serious injury. He harmonizes with the attack rather than confronting the attack, converting it into a circular motion that unbalances the attacker. Instead of using potentially crippling kicks or punches, the aikido practitioner will apply wristlocks, arm pins or throws to neutralize the aggressor. Demonstrations by members of Aikido of Rochester, MN. Teen & Adult TaeKwonDo TaeKwonDo is Korea's national sport. It employs hand strikes and awesome kicks for self-defense and fitness. Demonstrations by members of the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN. TaeKwonDo by Martial Art Fitness Centers of Waterloo, IA Members of the Martial Art Fitness Centers of Waterloo, IA, under the direction of Master Francis Moore, traveled to Rochester to perform their TaeKwonDo demonstrations. Karate Karate developed on the small island of Okinawa as a practical method of weaponless self-defense. Designed for close-in combat, karate controls the opponent by blocking and grabbing while employing powerful kicking, and striking techniques to disable the opponent. Demonstrations by members of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo of Rochester, MN. Weaponry Demonstration by the TaeKwonDo School Austin, MN Members of the TaeKwonDo School of Austin, MN performed an advanced staff form. Kobudo Historically, kobudo predates karate as a means of self-defense. As the samurai of ancient Okinawa were disarmed by conquering Japanese, kobudo developed out of the samurai techniques of sword and spear fighting. However, it utilized implements commonly available to an Okinawan farmer or fisherman. Demonstrations by members of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo of Rochester, MN. Red & Black Belt TaeKwonDo Red and black belt members of the TaeKwonDo programs in Rochester, Austin, Albert Lea, Spring Valley, and Zumbrota were on hand to perform advanced forms and self defense. Form & Self Defense Demonstration by Master Fred Gommels Master Fred Gommels, owner of the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN and president of the Korea/USA SimMuDo Association, performed an advanced TaeKwonDo form and a spectacular demonstration of self-defense. Blue Fire Demo Team The Blue Fire Demo Team consists of members of the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN. Students of all ages, ranks green belt and up, are invited to join. Special practices are held for members of the demo team. The team is sending several members to Shihung City, S. Korea to perform there at a major Korean TaeKwonDo tournament.