TAO Technical Director visits Austin, Texas

July 19, 2008

TAO Technical Director Mr. Mike Morningstar visited Austin Texas this past weekend to attend the 7th Annual ATFI Pattern Seminar conducted by the President of the ATFI, 7th Degree Master Fabian Nunez. Instructors from Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Alaska attended. After the seminar Master Nunez accepted Mr. Morningstar’s invitation to attend next years TAO Technical Conference in Oakville in January and be our guest instructor for the Sunday training of 3rd Dan and higher.

Black Belt Training / Executive Board Meeting

July 1, 2008

The Taekwon-Do Academy of Ontario will be having Black Belt Training on Saturday August 9th at Morningstar Taekwon-Do in Oakville. The training will be from 11:30pm-2:30pm. Following the training there will be a meeting of the Executive Board of TAO. For more information or directions please contact TAO Technical Director Mr. Morningstar.

TAO Appoints new Public Relations Director

June 24, 2008

TAO is proud to announce the Appointment of Mr. Dave Hadubiak to the post of Public Relations Director. Mr. Hadubiak is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and Assistant Instructor at Oakridge Taekwon-Do, London. Outside of Taekwon-Do Mr. Hadubiak has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Financial Studies from the University of Western Ontario and has been a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 1986. With twenty-three (23) years service as a police officer he has been posted in Nova Scotia and Ontario but his duties have taken him to many different areas of Canada, the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. Mr. Hadubiak is currently the Sergeant in charge of the Major Case Management Unit for the Province of Ontario. He has recently been appointed to the acting Staff/Sergeant Advisory NCO position for all Federal Operations Support in the Province of Ontario. His experience and interactions with both local and foreign law enforcement agencies and government officials will be an asset to the position of Public Relations Director with the TAO.

Friendly City Taekwon-Do Promotions

June 20, 2008

Friendly City Taekwon-Do in Woodstock is proud to announce their recent promotions. Jeff Phips, 2nd Dan, Matt Slager, 1st Dan, Mike Kowalek, 1st Dan, Robert Rhea, 1st Dan, Easton Patchett, 1st Dan, Lisa Micacchi, 1st Dan and Head Instructor Mr. Don Edmiston, 3rd Dan. Congratulations to all those promoted!

Oakridge Taekwon-Do Testing

June 14, 2008

On Saturday June 14th, twenty eight Oakridge Taekwon-Do students were successful in their attempt for new ranks. The promotion test was conducted by TAO Technical Director Mike Morningstar and assisted by 2nd Dan’s Mrs. Cathy Hadubiak and Mr. Dave Hadubiak. Congratulations on your promotions and good work in promoting Taekwon-Do in the City of London.

ITF International Instructors Course

June 6-8, 2008

The ITF Technical Committee, headed by Master Hector Marano, Master Paoblo Trajtenberg and Master Willem Bos, visited Oakville to conduct the 36th ITF International Instructors Course. Participants from across Canada, USA and even 3 participants from Nepal were put to the test as the Technical Committee covered all 24 patterns, self-defence, free sparring tactics as well as various other aspects of Taekwon-Do. ITF President Master Tran Trieu Quan also did a presentation on the “Do�.

Among the 114 participants, 60 were 4th Dan and up with an astounding 10 Masters in attendence. On the Saturday evening everyone gathered at the Hotel for a formal dinner banquet in honor of the Technical Committee. In his closing remarks, event host Mike Morningstar thanked everyone for their support as well as the Masters for their efforts around the world to keep the true teaching of General Choi Hong Hi alive in its true form.

Freedom Taekwon-Do

May 31, 2008

Ms. Betty Ann Villineuve, and the students of Freedom Taekwon-Do in Cornwall were presented with a plaque in appreciation for their support at the 4th Annual Fight for Diabetes friendship Tournament held in Ottawa. Competitors came from across Eastern Ontario to compete and support this worthwhile cause and to raise funds and awareness to defeat diabetes. Congratulations to Susan Baker, David Chaffe, Nicholas Crate and Ms. Villineuve for supporting this event.

Morningstar Taekwon-Do Testing

May 31, 2008

On Saturday May 31st, seventeen Morningstar Taekwon-Do students were successful in their attempt for new ranks. The promotion test was conducted by 4th Dan Mr. Derek Morningstar, Head Instructor of Morningstar Taekwon-Do in Barrie. Congratulations on your promotions and good work in promoting Taekwon-Do.

3-hour technical Seminar in London Ont.

May 10, 2008

TAO Technical Director Mr. Mike Morningstar recently conducted a 3-hour technical seminar in London, Ontario. The event was hosted by Mrs. Cathy Hadubiak, head instructor of Oakridge Taekwon-Do. 40 participants from London, Oakville and Woodstock were put to the test with a very challenging warm up.

After the first hour, Mr. Morningstar moved into to basic fundamental movements, kicking and pad work, patterns and then finished with self-defense. This was the first of what will become an annual event at Oakridge Taekwon-Do.