Kumdo players in training provide a captivating spectacle: they concentrate, then suddenly shout, exude vigilance and become silent, demonstrate agile movement, breathe deep, and then turn contemplative again. In kumdo, every shout and movement is a result of the concentration of the mind rather than physical strength. Kumdo lovers in Ajou University can join Ajou-dae Kumdo-bu (literally, kumdo department of Ajou University).
“By practicing kumdo, you can enjoy many benefits. You can improve your concentration, build your upper body strength, and get in shape,” said club president Kim Yeon-sik (sophomore, Psychology). Recently, to maximize such merits, the members have been practicing harder than ever under the guidance of training leader Ryu Ji-hong (senior, Business Administration). Since this semester, they have practiced for two hours every evening. Those who want extra training join morning practice held every other day before classes.
Despite the common belief, Kumdo-bu has a considerable number of female players, and they have constantly brought fruitful results in competitions. The main competition in which the club has consistently participated is Gyeong-kum-jeon (Gyeonggi Region’s University Kumdo Club League), which takes place every semester. Last semester, the 30th Gyeong-kum-jeon was held in Ajou University, and the club won the second prize in the women’s individual division.
This semester, the competition was held on May 31 in Yongin University. The members, who trained through constant practice, were well prepared, and as a result, they put up a good fight in the competition. Participants in the men’s team and women’s individual divisions won second prizes, whereas those in the women’s team division bagged the third prize.
To maintain this momentum, the Kumdo-bu plans to take part in bigger competitions from next semester, such as the National University Kumdo Club League. Training together for competitions is the best way to solidify the unity among members. Senior members pass on skills to their juniors, and the juniors will do the same in the future. By helping one another and sweating together, they build up a strong team spirit and learn a sense of respect.
In addition to the competitions, the club holds a Homecoming Day every semester. On this day, graduate and current members meet and practice kumdo together to keep close ties. As the club has more than 30 years of history, the event is always a major one, attended by many people; some participants come with their family. The event is not complete without the sharing of old memories with the club.
Currently, the club aims to establish itself as one of the most competent kumdo teams among domestic universities, and toward this goal, the members are eager to train hard. However, they are faced with a serious problem in their training condition: the university has converted the two training rooms used by most of the sports clubs, including Kumdo-bu, into the university’s new fitness center. As such, the club has been deprived of their original training space. The club, along with other sports clubs, could use the previous fitness room instead. As the club has to share the only one space with all the former users of those two rooms (other sports clubs for students, faculty ping pong club, and some classes from the Center for Lifelong Learning), Kumdo-bu members cannot practice at their convenience, and small troubles over the space among its users have been inevitable.
“It was via Facebook [of the former Student Union, Ajou Dream] that we were informed that we could not use our existing training rooms anymore. Recently, given the lack of space for practice, we have resorted to exercising on the stage of the gymnasium, which we have found to be slightly unsafe.”
The members of Kumdo-bu seem to know how to radiate their youthfulness, pouring out their passion in a healthy way. To foster a healthy campus culture for students, corresponding support would be indispensable. Indeed, recently, many students’ sports clubs and some students’ societies are facing the issue of lack of space.
“In spite of troubles, we will keep practicing; this is what we can do. Hopefully, the university will prioritize the students before making a decision. We may be a small group, but it is the small groups like us who comprise the whole university,” training leader Ryu said.