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Cheah Advanced Taekwondo
Author: D. & K. KIRKWOOD
Opportunities in life are rare and many people don't make the most of them. Fortunately this is not the situation for the numerous perceptive students who have already embraced the character building principles and practices of Cheah Advanced Taekwondo.
Originating as a traditional martial art C.A.T.A. incorporates the fundamental tenets and practices of Taekwondo, which alone produces strength of character and exemplary physical skills. However what makes it unique and has allowed it to lead the way in Taekwondo in Australia for the past 25 years is the contribution of its founder, Master Steven Cheah, who has had the initiative to advance the existing techniques. By simply utilising the full potential of every facet of a technique Master Cheah has produced a dynamic and realistic "state of the art" fighting style.
Master Cheah possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge as he commenced his training in 1965 in Malaysia under the vigilant instruction of Grand Master Choi Chung Ruen who was the right hand man to General Choi Hong Hi the Founder of Taekwondo. Master Cheah also had the privilege of training under Grandmaster Choi Kwang Jo the former Chief Instructor of the famed I.T.F. T.K.D. Federation's 20th Infantry. Grandmaster Choi Kwang Jo also had the duty of training the Korean police and is the founder of a new art, Choi Kwang Do.
In 1968 Master Cheah gained Instructor certification with the International Taekwondo Federation and started his first club in Me:bourne. By 1970 he was promoted to Qld. Chief Instructor where he initiated the art using Townsville as his headquarters.
After resigning from the I.T.F. in 1975 t pursue his vision of encapsulating his wealth of experience and knowledge into a unique and practical style, he organised the Cheah Advanced Taekwondo Academy in 1976. C.A.T.A. has no political ties with any federation thus allowing students and instructors to concentrate on the art not the politics. However Master Cheah personally holds current 6th Degree W.T.F. certification.
The art has evolved into its present practical form as a result of identifying the need to advance the traditional techniques to optimise their potential. Apart from the benefits of improved speed, agility and technique there is far less injury as the art incorporates the latest scientific training methods.
Many people tend to categorise Taekwondo as primarily a kicking style. A C.A.T.A. student is comfortable and competent using his hands in a variety of techniques whilst still maintaining superb kicking ability. These hand techniques entail anything from grappling, trapping and boxing style punches to locks and throws. Shortened basic techniques have resulted in faster and more effective blocking and attacking skills. As the student progresses he is encouraged to utilise every part of the body in his attack and defence maximising the use of elbows and knees.
The importance of adapting the fighting range, whether it be short, mid or long, to suit the situation is taught early in the students training. Emphasis is placed on learning and practising the skills necessary to be flexible enough to recognise that certain situations require different responses and then implementing the most appropriate technique for maximum performance.
Cheah Advanced Taekwondo classes are located all along the east coast of Australia with a concentration of training centres in mid and north Qld. Master Cheah encourages input from his Instructors and sharing of skills and knowledge. A direct result of this has been a great sense of camaraderie amongst fellow Instructors and students combined with an excellent standard of ability.
Regular camps and tournaments are held to foster friendly competition and an ongoing educational process. As well as providing an excellent opportunity for social interaction the camps and tournament allow the latest techniques and advances to be conveyed to the members of the Academy.
Both physical and personal development is encouraged. Many members have experienced a significant growth in confidence, self-esteem and direction in their lives by applying the principles and practising the discipline of the art.
Taekwondo, in one form or another has been taught for centuries. Traditionally it has passed down from generation to generation with little deviation from standard practices. Some may argue this is the way it should be, however others would disagree.
Much like Taekwondo practitioners, "experienced" bricklayers laid bricks for thousands of years in very much the same old way. From generation to generation master bricklayers repeated the methods they had been taught as apprentices. Their instruction included experience in repeating the mistakes as well as the skills of their craft. They learned to lay bricks through experience, but they didn't learn from mistakes how to eliminate much lost motion, much of doing it the hard way.
It was not until Dr. Frank Gilbreth studied the old "experienced" methods and applied a bit of scientific analysis that experienced bricklayers were taught how to lay many more bricks in much less time and with much less effort.
Just as Dr. Gilbreth had the 'nous' to scientifically analyse the methods of bricklayers, Master Cheah has had the courage and perception to analyse improve and adapt the methods of Taekwondo. By continually improving the technique, C.A.T. has developed into a dynamic "state of the art" martial art, setting the example and leading the way well into the 90's.
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