30 Gain Discipline from Hapkido
Thirty students graduated from the Labasa Hapkido Young Man’s Christian Association (YMCA) as they enter a new level in self-defensive techniques. The participants received certificates of completion from the previous levels with the least low belt being white and the highest level one could acquire being the ‘black belt’. The graduation ceremony was
held at the Salvation Army church premises in Labasa on Thursday.
Hapkido is a hybrid Korean martial arts, a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other striking attacks.
Assistant Instructor, Shavneel Chand, said students were trained to first become mentally strong and ensure the skill was only used for self-defense purposes.
It instiled discipline and moral values that the sport teaches and
afterwards physical training followed.
The association was established in 2016 and since then, interest has grown with the entry set at five years and above.
The first interaction with the sport in that year was possible through their master instructor, Jiare Lalakai, who believed Hapkido had the potential to grow in the Babasiga Town.
The 36-year-old said female participation in the sport was overwhelming
because this enabled them to have protective means to safeguard themselves.
Students are provided with their personal programmes to work on non-class days.
He encouraged more students to join their training sessions as it promoted against violence and the skill learnt was never attack concentrated.
Classes are held twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday at the Salvation Army campuses.
Mr Chand along with Senior Instructor, Kitione Kotobalavu, were the only people who held black belts in Labasa.
Grading happens after every three-four months to ensure students progress in their training and their learning was complemented with success.