BROOKINGS – Above, Grand Master Jin Young “Dragon” Kim demonstrates a move on Mark Anawski, black belt and owner/instructor of Brookings Tae Kwon Do, during a class Saturday at the studio at 919 Main Ave. S. Below, Anawski presented Kim a plaque in the shape of South Dakota; Kim’s visit to Brookings brought him to South Dakota for the first time and it is the 44th state he’s visited.
Kim met a lot of people while visiting Brookings and said, “They are very kind. I am so happy. I appreciate Mark for inviting me here.”
Kim, a ninth degree black belt in tae kwon do, led two classes at Brookings Tae Kwon Do studio on Saturday. The first was for junior black belts and first through third dan black belts. The second session was for master instructors. The approximately 30 participants came from all over, including one from Manitou, Manitoba, Canada.
Kim, 65, earned his black belts in South Korea, where he taught self-defense and hand-to-hand combat to the Korean Police Department and the United States Army. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1992 and has traveled since then, demonstrating tae kwon do and teaching classes.
During the classes Saturday, Kim stressed the importance of respecting everyone, no matter what their age, looks, financial status, nationality, or even rank in tae kwon do.
“Always be kind. Always be humble, humble,” he said.
“We are not teaching the fighting,” he said later. “First thing is how to respect each other.”
Tae kwon do is for everyone, Kim said.
“Anyone (can) start at beginning,” he said. He wants to reach all ages from young to seniors. Flexibility isn’t a requirement, but a willingness to keep trying is so you can make your life better. “Tae kwon do is good, helping body; make it better, feel better, healthy.”
The key is to continually improve yourself.
“If you miss, (don’t) give up, try again. Today, just a little better. Tomorrow (even) better,” he said. “Only practice, practice, practice. Never stop, never give up.”
Tae kwon do is a lifelong process to Kim. Even though he’s a ninth degree black belt, he says he’s not done. “I’ll never retire,” he vowed. “I love tae kwon do; I love the people.”
