VERIFY YOUR TAEKWONDO ACADEMY/ INSTRUCTORS BEFORE ENROLMENT

If you are planning or have enrolled and/or sent your children to a Taekwondo centre, please make sure that you sent your children to a Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) approved training centres. Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) is the only taekwondo association in Malaysia that is recognized by the Olympic Council of Malaysia, the National Sports Council and the World Taekwondo Federation. To know the history of Taekwondo in Malaysia, read HERE.

While searching for the best instructor for Aaraf to master the martial art Taekwondo late last year, I did abit of research and discovered... #The list of recognized Taekwondo centre in Malaysia is available at HERE. There are two (2) very important factors to consider and for re-consideration before an enrollment. With the advancement of technology, information is more easily accessible and obtained.

1. Recognized, qualified and accredited instructors (To check and verify your instructor, click HERE)

The list of recognized and accredited taekwondo instructors, head-instructors, referees and examiners are available at the link HERE. 

(Very proud to see Aaraf's Master, Elaine Teo Shuen Fhern on page 2, no 10). Pick a recognized and accredited instructor with integrity to train your children. Please check & VERIFY that your instructors are listed at the above link! 

2. Your children is registered as a member of Taekwondo Malaysia (To check, click HERE).

Please also check that you or your child is registered as a member of Taekwondo Malaysia (they should be registered if they are learning taekwondo!!). Aaraf and all his cousins, my nieces and nephews name are listed there except for Kasih Leia Ixora Azhar (what happen?).

SPEED POWER TAEKWONDO COMPETITION- AARAF'S FIRST MATCH FOR 2013

Speed Power Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) organised the 2nd Speed Power Taekwondo Championship at the Dewan Serbaguna, Seksyen 7, Kota Damansara on 17 March 2013. Aaraf together with his mate Ng Jian Chao participated under their new taekwondo academy under Master Elaine Teo Shueh Fhern.

We arrived early before 8am as requested for an event that was scheduled to start at 9am but the competition did not start until it was almost at 10am. It was a small competition with approximately 300 competitors but lack of coordination ended the event late at almost 7pm.

Aaraf, 10 years old being abit too healthy, competed under the heavy weight category for the age group 10 to 13 years old and being heavy, Aaraf had to always compete with those way older than him. As a result, he took a heavy beating the moment the competition began. However, we are proud that he fought back and did not give up and stayed on the whole match.

 Aaraf in blue vest..

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH MASTER ELAINE TEO SHUEH FHERN - D'SMART TAEKWONDO TRAINING

When I was first introduced to Elaine Teo Shuen Fhern, by my partner at the Chief's Original Bootcamp Penang, Cheah Boon Chong aka Sarge (COBC) Boon, I was a little doubtful. However, the good words by Cheah Boon Choong whom was also a former national athlete Gold Medalist for Karate had immediately given me the assurance. These people were selected into the national team because there were the best and the experience gained in all the competition representing Malaysia is an achievement beyond any qualification and recognition.

Elaine Teo Shueh Fhern was born on 5 February 1981 and was the first Taekwondo exponent in Malaysia to qualify TWICE for the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008 and was awarded the National Sportswomen of the year by the Malaysia Ministry of Youth and Sports. The single but married to her passion for Taekwondo had represented Malaysia for 12 years from 1999 to 2011 and had participated in the Commonwealth Games, Olympic, World Cup Taekwondo, SEA Games, World Taekwondo Championship and various other championships, tournaments and competitions. 

Born and trained to be a champion and the best, Elaine spend most of her available time acquiring and mastering the art of sparring and spend a month in a year, every year for the past 12 years in Korea to learn from world best Masters in Taekwondo.

The born fighter was also a taekwondo instructor for the Armed Forces Academy Malaysia and was our National Taekwondo team Captain, National Sports Council Malaysia for 7 years before she retires from 2004 to 2011. A women and an instructor with high integrity, passion and enthusiasm for Taekwondo envisioned herself churning more and better fighter for Malaysia. 

She together with another former national athlete, Nurul Nadia binti Mahamat whom also competed in Commonwealth Games and various other competitions had recently set-up their own Taekwondo Centre in Taman Tun Dr Ismail called, D'Smart Taekwondo Training. For once, we did not have to force Aaraf Armin, 10 years old, pom2 to go for his Taekwondo training, he just love the new place. Both Elaine and Nadia are great at handling children too.

NESTLE KOKO KRUNCH JUNIOR TAEKWONDO COMPETITION 2012

7th Koko Krunch Taekwondo Competition 2012, Stadium Badminton Cheras. Aaraf participated in  Koko Crunch Taekwondo Competition for the third time but he and his team mate was not as prepared as they were last year.  Coach Dann aka Staff-Sarge (COBC) Dann sent 11 of his 12 years and younger students to fight. Aaraf, 9 years old was the heaviest and categorized under 'Heavy Weight'.. meaning, high probability he will fight a 12 years old opponent whom should be around his weight. The registration for the competition started at 7:30am.


Those that competed under DDF Taekwondo Academy were:


MALE

1. MOHD IRFAN BIN MOHD FAIZAL - 42.5KG - 28.01.2000

2. ALAMIN ABDUL GADER - 25.7KG - 28.03.2003

3. NG JIAN CHAO - 25.5KG -

4. AARAF EID PAHAMIN - 53.4KG - 10.12.2002

5. ZIA IZZAT - 25.9KG - 19.10.2003

6. MOHD AMMAR SOFYAN - 45.4KG - 21.11.2000

7. DINESH LINGAM

FEMALE
1. SALEHAH ABDUL GADER - 24.8 - 30.12.2004
2. UMBARKA ABDUL GADER - 35.9KG - 27.08.2000
3. NABILAH MOHD FAIZAL - 28.1KG - 29.08.2001
4. ALYA FARZANA - 23.5KG - 25.09.2004

MBW TAEKWONDO FESTIVAL 2011 (SPARRING & POOMSAE CHAMPIONSHIP)

Kepong, 13 November 2011. Wong Siew Pang or more popularly known as Master Ben Wong (MBW) organised its first and biggest Taekwondo festival this year with three main event being contested under Sparring, Poomse and Destruction (breaking planks with fancy moves). There were three age divisions under sparring competition with age group category for 7 to 9 years old, 10 to 13 years old and 14 to 18 years old. This first Taekwondo festival had attracted more than 300 students.

There were 10 students of various categories competed under the DDF Taekwondo Academy whose President, Master Daing or full name Daing Daniel Fitri is also the highest ranking instructor at the Australian base, 20 years old military-inspired group outdoor training program, CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP. Daing Daniel Fitri or more popularly known as Staff-Sarge (COBC) (P) Dann by the COBC fraternity was the protege of Master Ben Wong and was Malaysia former Gold Medalist for Taekwondo. Master Ben Wong is a 7th Dan Black Belt and one of the 8 Taekwondo Grandmaster in Malaysia. At his prime, Master Ben Wong was World Top 3 best Taekwondo fighter and was nicknamed the Malaysia Tiger. Master Ben Wong was also a former coach for Malaysia Taekwondo team.

3rd GEEWIN TAEKWONDO COMPETITION 2011

Aaraf Eid Pahamin Armin Baniaz 8 years old from the Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur entered his fifth Taekwondo competition on 30 July 2011 under the DDF Taekwondo Academy at the 3rd Gewinn League at Wisma OCM and won GOLD medal for the first time.

Aaraf Armin has been under training with Master Daniel, President DDF Taekwondo Academy in Ampang since he was 3 years old and is now holding a Pom 2 belt. In 2011, DDF Taekwondo Academy send 10 student and won 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 bronze. Aaraf Armin only won bronze last year (Click: Gewinn Taekwondo 2010). This year, DDF Taekwondo Academy won all 6 Gold in all the category contested.






Those that competed this year under the DDF Taekwondo Academy were
(1) Mohamed Ibrahim Zaki age 14 years old, 40kg weight (GOLD)
(2) Muhammad Luqman Nul Hakeen aged 12 years old 30kg (GOLD)
(3) Ng Jian Chao aged 7 years old 24.8kg (NIL)
(4) Muhammad Afeeq Bin Mohd Azam aged 14 years old, 60kg (GOLD)
(5) Aaraf Armin aged 8 years old, 42kg (GOLD)
(6) Ahza Syahmi aged 17 years old, 57kg (GOLD)
(7) Erni Qistina aged 16 years old, 55kg (GOLD)
 

LEFT: Muhammad Afeeq Mohd Azam, Mohamed Ibrahim Zaki, Erni Qistina, Ahza Syahmi, Coach Erni Syazwani, Muhammad Luqman Nur Hakeem Aaraf Armin, Master Daniel

5th NESTLE KOKO CRUNCH JUNIOR TAEKWANDO COMPETITION

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11 April 2010, Kuala Lumpur. Nestle Koko Crunch held its 5th Junior TAEKWANDO Championship at the Badminton Stadium, Cheras.

The Junior Taekwando was open to all participants from 7 to 12 years old. DDF Taekwando Akademy sends 13 of its students to compete and AARAF Armin was one of the participants.

On 4 April 2010, Daing Daniel Fitri, the team Manager and Chief Coach brought the team to  the stadium to weigh and confirm the category according to their weights.

There were 10 categories available.The thirteen participants from DDF Taekwando Academy were placed in their respective category according to their weight:

1) Zia Izza Ilham - (Weight: 24kg) (Category: Fly 20.1kg - 25kg) (DOB: 150499)
2) Adam Khairiel -(Weight: 20.5kg) (Category: Fly 20.1kg - 25kg) (DOB: 281202)
3) Darwish Khairiel (Weight: 22.2kg) (Category: Fin 16kg - 22kg) (DOB: 010203)
4) Mohammad Luqman Nulhakeem (Weight: 28.1kg) (Category: Batam 25.01kg - 29kg) (DOB: 081299)
5) Mohd Ammar Sofyan (Weight: 30kg) (Category: Feather 29.01kg - 33kg) (DOB: 110202)
6) Muhammad Hilmi Abdul Rahman (Weight: 31.5kg) (Category: Feather 29.01kg - 33kg) (DOB: 131100)
7) Ahmad Hadif Ahmad Fadzil (Weight: 30.7kg) (Category: Feather 29.01kg - 33kg) (DOB: 200901)
8) Aqfar Naeem Lais (Weight: 29.5kg) (Category: Feather 29.01kg - 33kg) (DOB: 090401)

9) Zia Ikmal (Weight: 38.2kg) (Category: Welter 37.01kg - 41kg) (DOB: 050500)

10) Aarad Eid Pahamin (Weight: 41kg) (Category: Welter 37.01kg - 41kg) (DOB: 101203)

11) Zia Izzuddeen (Weight: 42.7kg) (Category: Light Middle 41.01kg - 45kg) (DOB: 200598)

12) Mohamad Rizal Izwan (Weight: 46kg) (Category: Middle 45.01kg - 49kg) (DOB: 160998)

13) Nor Marissa Alia (Weight: 34.5kg) (Category: Light (Girl) 32.01kg - 36kg) (DOB: 020799)

Aaraf almost did not qualify for his weight category being 41.3kg 2 days before the measurement but after an intense dieting, he managed to barely qualify for the Welter wieght category. Being only 7 years old weighing 41kg, Aaraf may end up fighting boys much older than him. All participants weighing 41kg are either 11 or 12 years old.

After the weight measurement, the team except Hadif, gathered for a photo-shoot. Hadif was in Terengganu during the measurement.

Nor Marissa Alia was the only girl from DDF Taekwando Academy and she is competing under the (girl) light weight category.

The competition was held a day before my Proton Edar Dealers Malaysia, 11th Annual General Meeting and Dealers convention. We arrived at the Stadium at 8am to register and prepare Aaraf for the competition. Aaraf's was given number 46. The match began with the lightest to the heaviest and unfortunately Aaraf was the last few.

The first team was called and gathered...

Aaraf, Hadif and others waited impatiently for their turn... Dato Ahmad Fadzil and Datin Azura Halim too came to support their son Hadif but they disappeared even before the match began......

There were thousands of spectators.. mostly parent and siblings of participants.

Daing Daniel Fitri, the Coach briefed the first batch... These last inspirational words and reminders are statements that will determine the champion.

After the final briefing, they warmed-up... It is not easy to produce a Champion but being the Champion in the past, Daing Daniel have both the patience, experience and passion to produce more Champions...

The first team are now ready for battle.....

Aqfar Naeem, Abu Lais's 9 year old son is also competing his first match... Naeem's mother Anita Ahmad (Left Picture- in pink shirt hugging the handbag), was restless and even more panic than Naeem himself.

Naeem fought well but lack the fighting experience in tournament. Naeem lost the fight but a winner in spirit. With more training and more competitions, Naeem can me moulded into a fighter.

Nor Marissa Alia fought at the other court next to Naeem. She too was fighting her first tournament and is the only girl from DDF Taekwando Academy.

Next was Ahmad Hadif Ahmad Fadzil. Hadif seemed all so confident.

Hadif fought and was kicked in the face the moment the match began. Although abit demoralized but Hadif did not give-up and continued although he was in tears and pain.

Mohd Ammar Sofyan took his position and was very high spirited but when he was kicked hard, Ammar could not regained his composure at his opponent's advantage. Ammar too lost the fight.

Aaraf and his friends watched others fighting. 

The second team to fight then called in to standby......... 
There were ushered into the stadium..

Mohamad Rizal Izwan (Picture below) too fought hard...

and finally, its the next team........ and Aaraf too!!! The team began warming up......

Zia Ikhwan was the first to be called. Ikhwan fought well against his opponent.....

IKHWAN won the first fight.................

Then its Adam Khairiel ...

Aaraf was called to be on Stand-by and queue for his turn.

Putra, Aaraf's opponent was seated beside Aaraf.  Putra, 11 years old from rawang has a strong athletic build with good strong bdy frame and composure.

Putra was friendly...... he spoke and and made friend with Aaraf but Aaraf was too shy  and did not speak much except for a few words.

Both Aaraf and Putra went to the fighting court when they were signaled. Nawal, Anita, Ikhwan and I were worried... Putra looked too strong for Aaraf.

Aaraf & Putra bow and the competition began.

Putra was very good. The moment the match started, he attacked and Aaraf was stunned at how fast he was. Aaraf could only be on defensive mode but lost his guarding block when Putra endlessly attacked him.

Aaraf was too stunned and lost control of himself especially in having his guarding block.... Nawal was screaming GUARDING BLOCK AARAF... GUARDING BLOCK!!!

 Aaraf was badly kicked... Aaraf's friend Ikhwan was getting agitated and I overheard him saying........ We cant let this happen..... lets go down and beat -up that guy!!! Although that intention cannot be condone, but it was heart-felt to hear Ikhwan being so concern on Aaraf.

Although Aaraf was badly kicked and beaten, the fighting spirit was in him. Aaraf tried to attack and returned those many blow.........

but Putra being many years older and more experience was too fast and retaliated with more blow. Aaraf's freinds screamed AARAF.. AARAF..... AARAF......AARAF........ !!

But Aaraf did not give -up.  I repeated to Aaraf many times... it is not about winning... what is more important is to NEVER GIVE-UP...

Aaraf was badly shaken, in pain and in tears......... but Daddy is very proud that he stayed, fought and gave his best effort. Mummy's heart was broken to see her baby beaten.

Aaraf had blue-black bruises along his waistline and legs but Aaraf is very determine to train harder and especially in losing weight. The lesson to learn when it comes to fighting....... is to always train and train harder and harder.

Aaraf opponent, PUTRA went on to fight and won SILVER!!! and first runner-up.

Ikhwan and Adam Khairel from our team from DDF Taekwando Academy, won Bronze.

CONGRATULATION ZIA IKHWAN & 

ADAM KHAIREL

Everybody gave in their best effort. Zia Ikhwan & Adam Khairel, we are proud of you........ Next time bring back a Gold..

As promise, I will bring everybody out for lunch or dinner....... anywhere at the children's choice.