IMA - What drives you to be the best you can?

RW - I’m a very competitive person so I love a challenge and setting goals for myself. For example I wanted to win an International Goal Medal when I was 80 which I did, my new goal is to get my 9^th degree Kukkiwon Certificate as I’m eligible to grade in 2 years. Goal setting is a must!

IMA - How do you clear your mind to give your best performance?

RW – Generally, at competitions I watch or coach my students which keeps my mine busy, then for about 30 minutes I warm up and prepare myself for the competition. Staying calm and focus is a must.

IMA - How do you read an opponent’s intent and defend against it?

RW - Body language, you must watch their eyes and body for any slight movements and react according. 
For example, being prepare to block or side step and attack.

IMA - How do you reduce the interval between each movement?

RW - Practicing double or triple movements with kicks. hand strikes or a mixture of both with a partner on a bag or on pads, staying light on your feet and most importantly being fit.

IMA - What / how do you take MA training and apply it into everyday work and living?

RW - As you reach your seniors years it is most important to stay fit, flexible and strong so my training each morning gives me the ability to be able to move around freely, confident and alert. 

IMA - How do you minimize injuries?

RW – Its’ most important to warm up and stretch prior to doing any physical training, to minimise the chances of injuries. If you are a serious sparring competitor one should use forearm, shin and foot protectors, but not all the time as you need to toughen up these areas of the body.

IMA - How do you work through an injury (your rehabilitation strategy)?

RW - Before each training session I would recommend that one massage the injured area with liniment and strap the injury with a bandage or tape, but not too tight as it will reduce the blood flow. 

IMA - What training routines have you added that weren’t in your teacher’s curriculum?

RW - I was lucky to have had a very good Korean Instructor, GM Jung Myung Oh who taught me a great deal of various techniques. However, I have added a number of different kicks which have evolved over the years. Plus two and thee step exercise routines along with a number of practical self-defence techniques.

IMA - What is your greatest achievement?

RW - Developing the Koryo Taekwondo Club which I started back in 1976 as it has allowed me to make so many great friends, Instructors and students.

IMA - What physical challenges have you overcome by training in martial arts?

RW - Like all martialists I have had a number of broken bones, torn muscles etc. However, to be a true martialist you have to overcome physical and mental problems to be successful. I remember competing in Korea with my right arm in plaster and another time in a board breaking competition I broke my arm halfway through the event, so I finished the board breaking with my left hand. I was only able to endure this through the fighting spirit of my martial arts training. 

IMA - Where do you draw your inspirations from?

RW - I guess I was born being competitive, but I’m also inspired by my students. I teach this principle in life that we must push through many barriers to be successful and when I see them take that step, it also inspires me to keep going.

IMA - What are the most important lessons you have found from martial arts?

RW - Respect to Others, Self-Discipline, Staying True to Oneself and Staying Fit and Healthy.

IMA - Five words that describe martial arts for you?

RW - Mental strength, Never give up on challenges, Self-Discipline, Knowledge and achievement