E. V D Merwe to represent South Africa.

Please find a report of Glenwood pupil, Eben van der Merwe:

Selected to represent South Africa at the Junior World Championships in Minsk, Belarus on 21 - 31 August 2010.

Eben Van De Merwe

Grade: 10 A

Glenwood High School

Brief Martial Arts Profile

Eben has been involved in the study and practice of the Korea martial art of TaeKwon-Do for almost a decade and has during this time, has evolved into a finely tuned exponent of this ancient art whose signature is seen in its very dramatic aerial kicking techniques.

Proficiency in this martial system requires extreme dedication and Eben’s love for this art and many thousands of hours spent in honing the basics principles of body mechanics, resulted in his promotion to the coveted rank of 1^st degree black belt in June 2008. This grading examination was overseen and personally sanctioned by Master Kim, a Korean exponent of the art who holds the rank of 8^th Dan. During November 2009, Eben was promoted to the rank of 2^nd Dan in this ancient art by the International TaeKwon-Do Federation. Eben has learnt the basic precept of the martial sciences; that of ‘The Warrior Monk’ which is evident in his superb academic achievements at Glenwood High School and his voluntary teaching of this great art as an assistant instructor at the TaeKwon-Do club based in Hillcrest at the Fulton School for the hearing impaired. Eben’s dedication to his art and to his unselfish willingness to teach these skills to others was acknowledged by the International Imatsu-Ryu Kokuryu-Kai Kokusai of South Africa who endorsed his efforts by awarding him an internationally sanction  2^nd degree black belt. This fine balance of academic and sport excellence is one of the corner stone’s of Glenwood High School’s holistic education system and his achievements are applauded.

Eben’s dedication to this branch of martial science has culminated in his being chosen as a member of the South African ‘International TaeKwon-Do Federation’s’ Team to tour Belarus in October of this year.

To support this exceptional athlete in his quest to conquer the world stage, a special lunch event to raise sponsorship for Eben’s overseas tour was held by the owner of Jack Rabbits in Glenwood, Mr Lee Colbert on Sunday 18^th July. Eben was supported at this event by almost 100 people from the Glenwood community as well as staff members from Glenwood High School.

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