The Team Kiffmann training program
(TK) is a separate Taekwondo program with the main focus being
competition. Admission into the TK is by invitation only and
is granted by the head coach and master instructor. There will
be a limited number of spots available and preference will be
given to previous national competitors and competitors with
outstanding local tournament performance. However some new talent
will be accepted based on class attendance/performance.
ABOUT TEAM KIFFMANN
Over the past 16 years the Kiffmann Dojang has
been the most successful Maui school in officially recognized
national or international martial arts competition of any
kind. The school has produced hundreds of
U.S. National and many international Taekwondo Medalists.
THE PATH TO THE OLYMPICS
a. Becoming a Kukkiwon certified Black Belt
b. Becoming a State Champion
c. Becoming a National Champion and making the National Team
d. Qualifying at World Olympic Qualifier
The path to becoming an Olympic/ World Taekwondo Champion
is long and very, very, very competitive. Once competing in
the black belt divisions most athletes that were used to winning
tournaments as a color belt will realize that medaling every
time they compete is a thing of the past and will quit if
their only goal was to get a medal. Let’s not forget,
in reality there is only a black belt national champion. Color
belts are only allowed in National competition as a motivational
tool and of course to generate more revenue for the tournament
promoters.
If an athlete decides to take the path to competition, here
are two of the key points he/she has to follow.
1. Be a Self Motivator
Don’t ask your parents, coaches, peers etc. how often
you should come to class or how many hours of training you
should commit to. YOU have to want to train all the time and
make it happen anyway you can!!!!! You get out what you put
in! Period. Sometimes even if you love Taekwondo there will
be times when you get bored with training or are simply physically
exhausted. If at those moments you can push beyond your comfort
zone it will give you the edge over your competitors. If you
are self motivated you create your own workout sessions, run
that extra mile, bug your parents to drive you everywhere
or organize rides and use your allowance or join the booster
club to pay for taekwondo events instead of the newest cell
phone or video game.
2. Performance over Results
Taekwondo competition is not entirely objective, because
of the judging criteria involved. As such, it is important
not to attach oneself to the outcome of a match or the final
results of a tournament. We have all seen champions lose their
first fight to unknowns or unknowns beating champions but
losing on the scoreboard because of bias or other factors.
The point is that if you lose a match on the scoreboard but
YOU know you performed well or even better than your opponent
YOU, your parents, your coach and all your friends should
be proud of you. Embrace your training in taekwondo as training
for life. Nobody has ever achieved anything of value without
failing many times.
”The Olympic Dream Starts Here"
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