In an empty room at the back of the University Recreation Center, trendy shoes are stuffed in cubby holes. Stomping and the sliding of feet replace the usual sound of popular music and shouts of “Hut” and “Huy” replace casual conversation.
To learn the Korean martial art of tae kwon do, students almost step back in time: All they have to bring is a willingness to learn, and all they need is a teacher.
While watching martial arts in movies, video games and cartoons can be entertaining, these University students are actually learning about the self-defense sport from a real master — course instructor Kyu Chin Hwang.
Hwang has been studying the sport since his childhood in Seoul, South Korea. He has earned a seventh-degree black belt in tae kwon do, a sixth-degree black belt in judo and a fifth-degree black belt in hapkido.
Since 1974, Hwang has also run his own martial arts academy in a local studio that he and a friend built themselves.
Hwang is “a master,” senior Daniel Reed said.
During the 50-minute class, the students huffed and puffed, but 60-year-old Hwang didn’t appear to be out of breath. Exuding energy, this grandfather of two led the kicking and punching workouts and bounced across the room correcting students.
Tae kwon do, which means “way of the hand and foot,” is the Korean art of bare-hand combat, according to the course’s reference packet. Over the term, Hwang teaches the basic kicks, punches, blocks, stances and combinations to his students.
Freshman Jackson Cole is studying tae kwon do to become more skilled in aikido, which he prefers because it is strictly defensive. But Cole said he still likes the class.
“Now I can put my foot above my head, and it is a good leg workout,” he said.
Reed said he signed up for the class because he wanted an easier term.
“It’s a lot tougher than you would expect martial arts to be,” he said. “Especially as a one-credit P.E. class.”
In addition to helping his students develop endurance, skill and concentration, Hwang teaches his pupils tae kwon do etiquette. In competition, students are forbidden to attack an opponent’s face, groin or back. They are also forbidden to grab, hold or push their opponents.