Hamilton’s Kirkwood’s Martial Arts Academy hosted a world-class seminar with Team GB athlete and World Taekwondo Championships silver medallist Damon Sansum.
Damon, 32, took kids and adults through effective and fun warm-up techniques, offering advice on specific training techniques to improve speed, power and agility.
The 32-year-old clearly impressed the club during the three-hour session, with head instructor, Master John Kirkwood, saying: “It was clear to all in attendance that this taekwondo athlete had put much thought into each and every training and competitive technique, clearly demonstrating each exercise, explaining how to perform it correctly, and why it was important, or how it could be used in practice.
“From our youngest students to our oldest, everyone was full of enthusiasm to learn from Damon.
“It was evident to anyone observing and also on the mats that huge leaps in technique execution were made in a relatively short space of time.
“What was particularly evident was that Damon was a master at keeping the students’ attention, giving input to every single student in the academy, and assisting them to master each technique.”
John added: “I have known Damon since he was a young boy, as both his family and mine fought together within the martial arts circuits in the 1990s and later on in early 2000.
“It is great to see how Damon has progressed as a fighter, and to reach the highest honour of any athlete, and that is competing for your country at the Olympics.
“I have seen his maturity, strengths and intelligent fighting developed whilst he has been part of Team GB. It was great to see all his skills being passed onto the youngest generation.
“The seminar he gave was not only educational but entertaining and inspiring – everything we strive for at KMAA.
“One of the highlights was the Q&A session at the end, when our students got to ask Damon on his training within the GB team.”
To inspire people further, Kirkwood’s Martial Arts Academy are offering the chance for children, adults and families to train for free until February 1, 2020.
They also offer a free uniform and uniform badge, for anybody who wants to join. For more, visit www.taekwondoalliance.org.
