FIGHTING FOR PEACE
With Russia’s military invasion continuing to obliterate parts of Ukraine, forcing millions of people to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, students of SG Taekwon-Do martial arts school have added their voices to the international calls for peace, writes Hannah O’Hanlon.
Ahead of their first charity fight night, the students held up signs featuring Ukrainian flags, peace symbols, white doves and the words ‘no war’ as they let off blue and yellow flares, representing the war-ravaged country’s national colours. ‘Taekwon-Do has a zero tolerance to war,’said instructor Sean Grady, ‘which is the reason for our support of Ukraine.’ It comes as the first shipments of donations for Ukrainian refugees left Kintyre, coordinated by Mandy Robertson of youth support charity The Hub.
Members of SG Taekwon-Do martial arts school appealed for peace and an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as they entered Campbeltown Town Hall to take part in their first charity fight night.
The ticketed event, which took place last Friday evening, showcased the skills the school's junior and adult students have learned since it was established by former world and European champion Sean Grady a year ago.
Mr Grady said the night ‘couldn't have gone any better', with 14 junior fights and four adult fights showcasing his students' impressive martial arts skills.
In addition to mastering the punching and kicking techniques characteristic of taekwon-do, the students have also spent the last year learning the sport's five core values – courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.
‘My job as the instructor is to lead my students by example, following these tenets every day, making our community a better and safer place,' said Mr Grady. ‘Taekwon-do has a zero tolerance to war, as the first saying in our International Taekwon-Do Federation encyclopaedia says, ‘I shall build a better and more peaceful world', which is the reason for our support of Ukraine.
‘I think it's very important that all students remember their oaths and conduct themselves in the manner in which a taekwon-do student should.'
He added that the standard of fighting at last Friday's charity event was ‘very high', with ‘very intense sparring matches', during which every student held their own, mak