Today: Will the Korean Tae Kwon Do champ make fresh kimchi out of Fred?

 

 

 

Cast of characters

 

 

 

Master Jay Lee – 40-something Korean Tae Kwon Do master instructor.

 

 

 

Fred Pineridge – 30-something university grad; chronically under-employed.

 

 

 

Champ – Youthful Korean-Canadian & reigning club unbeated TKD champ.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Fred had already warmed-up so he focused on studying Champ intently.

 

 

 

Champ’s skill was impressive but his youthful appearance brought the older Fred some relief.

 

 

 

Maybe I can outsmart him.

 

 

 

That was Fred’s only hope.

 

 

 

Forget about winning.

 

 

 

He just had to survive the match.

 

 

 

Champ continued wailing on a heavy bag, hopping in and out and then recoiling his leg – whap! – leaving a crater in the stuffed leather sack.

 

 

 

His kicks were ferocious but Fred noted he took too long to set them up.

 

 

 

His legs were long so he had to back away from the bag, cock his leg, and then release it.

 

 

 

Fred took a mental note.

 

 

 

Finally the final fight was announced: Champ versus Fred, down on the corner mats – Champ’s turf.

 

 

 

A crowd was assembling as Fred arrived at his corner.

 

 

 

A volunteer strapped on Fred’s helmet and tied up his chest pad.

 

 

 

“I’ve seen this guy spar,” volunteer said.

 

 

 

“He’s deadly. He’ll poke a hole in your chest with his heel and you won’t even see it coming. Nobody from our club will fight him. You’ve definitely got balls.”

 

 

 

Volunteer clicked the last strap up and chuckled with a merciless glint in his eyes.

 

 

 

“Make sure you have your strategy all mapped out.”

 

 

 

Fred nodded slightly. “I do. Avoid death.”

 

 

 

* Does Fred have any hope against the Champ? *

 

 

 

Volunteer didn’t chuckle or smile, just slapped Fred lightly on his helmet.

 

 

 

Fred made sure his mouthpiece was in snug.

 

 

 

He wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of a Champ kick crashing into the side of his head like a sledgehammer.

 

 

 

“Keep your guard up,” volunteer said and then fled the area as if a storm was coming.

 

 

 

Fights are three rounds of three minutes.

 

 

 

 

Champ and Fred walked from their corners to center ring and Master Lee, who was refereeing this final match.

 

 

 

Standing side by side, the three turned in unison to face the large Korean flag mounted high on the north wall, and performed a deep, customary bow of respect.

 

 

 

Then the two opponents faced each other and shook hands.

 

 

 

Master Lee positioned them.

 

 

 

“Get ready, Shi-jack!

 

 

 

* Is Fred‘s strategy going to work? *

 

 

 

The bell rang.

 

 

 

Champ moved carefully around the ring but Fred immediately saw that he was trying to set up one of his patented powerhouse kicks.

 

 

 

Fred implemented his strategy: To jam each and every kick.

 

 

 

As soon as Champ stepped back to launch his heel, Fred stepped forward to crowd him.

 

 

 

The plan worked.

 

 

 

Round one wound down and Champ hadn’t landed anything punishing.

 

 

 

With ten seconds he surprised Fred with a spinning back kick, slightly winding him and knocking him back.

 

 

 

“Ha-ya!”

 

 

 

Champ scored a point.

 

 

Round two.

 

 

 

Champ tried more of his big, bruising kicks but so obviously telegraphed them that Fred nullified them all.

 

 

 

Still one-zero after two.

 

 

 

Sitting in his corner, Fred was restless.

 

 

 

The volunteer scampered back over.

 

 

 

“Your defence is good,” he said, the mean glint gone from his eyes and a sense of naive hope emanating. “Now offence! Go after him. You need points.”

 

 

 

The bell for round three.

 

 

 

They hopped around the mats feeling each other out.

 

 

 

Champ was frustrated that things weren’t working.

 

 

 

Fred gave his head a shake.

 

 

 

That volunteer was dead right: He had to snap out of his ‘avoid death’ mindset and go on the attack.

 

 

 

Thirty seconds gone.

 

 

 

A minute.

 

 

 

Fred got inside and pounded Champ with two hard punches.

 

 

 

Master Lee broke it up.

 

 

 

“You – no punching. No score. You must kick! Ready fight!”

 

 

 

Two minutes left.

 

 

 

A minute and a half … There was a lull in the action. Fred kept waiting for Champ to set up so he could stifle him again yet now.

 

 

 

Champ just hopped around aimlessly.

 

 

 

The volunteer was screaming from Fred’s corner.

 

 

 

“He’s tired. Kick him! Kick him!”

 

 

 

Fred couldn’t believe his eyes.

 

 

 

Champ was breathing heavily and dripping sweat.

 

 

 

He looked bagged.

 

 

 

He’d used up his store of energy launching dozens of big kicks but they’d all missed or been blocked by Fred.

 

 

 

There was an energy vacuum in the center of the ring.

 

 

 

Fred could feel it.

 

 

 

This was the split second that could change the fight.

 

 

 

He straightened up.

 

 

 

A chance to win had fallen right into his lap and he’d have to go full out.

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Quiz 

 

 

 

1. What are some indications foreshadowing that Fred is going to have a tough match?

 

 

 

2. What are some indications that the Champ may not be as certain of winning as Fred first thought?

 

 

 

3. Why do you think Fred can win the match?

 

 

 

Sample Answers

 

 

 

1. The hard warm-up kicks, the volunteer’s comments and actions toward Fred (examples?).

 

 

 

2. As the fight starts, Fred’s strategy seems to work (give details). Also, near the end of the match, what happens to the Champ?

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Tomorrow: Fred is shocked at the outcome of the championship match

 

 

 

See you tomorrow!