Concrete gets smashed at George Leach Centre

Members of the Royal Tae Kwon Do Academy of martial arts treated family, friends and members of the public Saturday to a demonstration of forms and techniques at the George Leach Athletic Centre.

Demonstrations also included board and slab breaking as well as forms and techniques from all belt levels.

"Royal Tai Kwon Do is a traditional form of Korean martial arts that traces its lineage back to 9th Dan Black Belt, Grand Master Son Myung Soo," said Master Bob Burn, a 4th Dan Black Belt. "Our school in the Sault is the Northern branch of the Royal Tae Kwon Do Federation."

Until recently, the local school was lead by 7th Dan Grand Master Karl Jirgens, who was an English Professor at Algoma University College by day, said Burn.

When Jirgens accepted a position at the University of Windsor this fall, he left Burn and two other 4th Dan Black Belts, Tom Kulmala and Don Buchan, in charge of the 70 student school of martial arts.

He left the school in good hands as the three masters continue to embody its five principles of discipline, respect, confidence, patience and honour, said Burn.

They plan to host an in-house tournament that's open to public spectators in late January as their next event.

Royal Tae Kwon Do Academy Royal Tae Kwon Do Federation.