SHI Jak (‘begin’ in Korean) and Abang Ahmad Zaini Abang Fauzan, chief instructor of Sarawak Global Taekwon-Do Association (SGTA), found himself fending off blows and kicks from all directions in a full contact sparring with two black belt opponents.

Next, he tackled the ‘power test’ involving breaking planks and bricks with his bare hands.

Abang Ahmad Zaini Abang Fauzan

He kicked, blocked and chopped his way through both compulsory disciplines to earn his stripes.

This was in 1990 when Zaini went for his First Dan upgrading. Now, at 43, when most people are thinking of a lighter or more relaxed form of exercise, the enforcement officer from the local council in Sibu, is still engrossed with perfecting his kicking techniques and not showing any signs of slowing down.

Known for his ‘no nonsense’ attitude and high work rate, Zatni led his team to a successful outing at the recent Taekwon-Do tournament in Sabah, winning four gold and three bronze medals.

In 2006, he was awarded the Sijil Gagah Perkasa by the Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry in recognition of his contributions to society.

Here Zaini talks to thesundaypost about his personal experience and achievements in Taekwon-Do and his future plans.

Q: Can you tell us something about yourself?

A: I work as an enforcement officer with the local council and am married with four children. During my free time, like all family men, I take my family out or watch movies together. I’m occupied during weekends with Taekwon-Do classes.

I first set foot in a gym in 1986 — it was my very first exposure to the world of martial arts.

Watching kung fu movies and getting involved personally in martial arts are different ball games altogether. Practice means hard work and commitment and not giving up when faced with difficulties.

I had competed in several Taekwon-Do tournaments in the past. In 1990, I was the champion in the second Sarawak International Taekwon-Do Meet held in Kuching.

I think one of my best decisions in life is taking up Taekwon-Do. It has transformed me into a better person and I also owe my good health to it.

Taekwon-Do aside, I’m also very interested in darts. When I’m not running Taekwon-Do classes, I practise throwing dart. I have also taken part in several competitions.

Q: Was passion key to your taking up Taekwon-Do?

A: Not exactly. In all honesty, when I first took Taekwon-Do lessons in 1986, I didn’t have any passion or deep knowledge about the art. I was reluctant to begin with and joined just for the sake of fulfilling my obligation, so to speak.

Besides, Taekwon-Do was not as popular as it is now and not many people knew about it back then.

The point is working in the local council’s enforcement unit, my colleagues and I have been encouraged to take up martial arts because at times, our work environment can be rather challenging — we meet different kinds of people everyday.

Through Taekwon-Do, I learned self-control and patience apart from self-defence. Over time, my love for Taekwon-Do blossomed and it has become a part of me ever since. In fact, I’m so passionate about it that I have set aside two hours each day for training.

Personally, I believe this martial art has a positive bearing on my character. A lot of confrontations in life could have been avoided if we practised self-control.

Q: What’s the most challenging moment in your 22-year involvement in Taekwon-Do?

A: Actually, I found my First Dan upgrading rather challenging. It’s a transition point where an exponent moves from a colour belt to a senior belt. In academic terms, it’s equivalent to getting a first degree from a university.

I can still recall doing a full-contact sparring with two black belters. That was the moment of truth for me. Blows and kicks were flying everywhere and at times, I found myself backing into a corner.

It would be close to impossible to block and counter every move of two opponents. My strategy was to focus on the opponent who exhibited more weaknesses and try to wear him down rather than taking on both simultaneously.

Then, there was the power test where I was required to break planks and bricks with bare hands.

In summary, First Dan upgrading is a test of endurance and stamina. Your mind will decide how far you can go.

Q: What‘s your greatest personal achievement in Taekwon-Do so far?

A: Being upgraded to Fourth Dan in Sabah recently. It has been a long wait and this is the crowning moment in my life and also another milestone for SGTA. Sanctioned by the Malaysia Global Taekwon-Do Federation (MGTF), I’m now technically qualified to be the examiner for First Dan upgraders. Previously, they would have to fly either to Sabah or West Malaysia to do this, incurring extra expenses in the process.

Q: Since when did you start taking up coaching and more importantly, should a coach take on a more engaging role?

A: Actually, I was assistant coach since 1990 and upgraded to full-pledged coach in 2005.

Time has changed and we need to revisit our coaching methods. Discipline is all important but as father figures in the gym, we must also make ourselves approachable to the kids.

For instance, at home, children prefer talking to their mother because they perceive their father to be a disciplinarian. In other words, they’re afraid to approach their father for advice.

What I’m trying to create is an environment conducive for learning … where children can comfortably express their thoughts. It’s my personal philosophy that when learning is fun, knowledge absorption will be at its best.

Hence, to facilitate learning, as coaches, we need to take on a more engaging role to understand the young trainees’ concerns and motivate them to give of their best.

For instance, during the recent Fourth State-Borneo Invitation Polytechnic Taekwon-Do Tournament in Sabah, we won four gold and three bronze medals. Despite of their lack of exposure and experience, my young team exhibited great fighting spirit and this was the quality product of motivation.

When children are placed under our care, we have the responsibility to ensure they acquire knowledge and are given positive mental conditioning as well.

Q: Coaching means additional responsibilities. What’s your family’s stand on this?

A: My family understands and continues to support me morally. In fact, I owe my success in getting Fourth Dan to their love and support. They rally behind me in both good and challenging times.

Q: Why are youths these days reluctant to take up Taekwon-Do and what are the programmes available to attract them?

A: Personally, I think the problem has been pertinent since five years ago. Unlike girls, boys normally don’t have the patience to stick to a strict training schedule. In Taekwon-Do, we are very particular about discipline. Hence, it is very important students are punctual for training and stay on until the end of the session.

We don’t encourage people to leave half way unless there’s a special reason. In Taekwon-Do, discipline and dedication are very important if we are to succeed.

Other forms of entertainment such as online chatting is another reason for the decline in the number of youths taking up Taekwon-Do. It’s sad to note some teenagers chatting their time away online with no clear objectives.

I’m not saying online chatting is unhealthy. If done for knowledge- sharing, it’s good. The negative impact is lingering aimlessly online for hours. Such time should have been invested in beneficial activities like taking up Taekwondo.

As for programmes to attract more youths to take up Taekwon-Do, we are working closely with the Youth and Sports Department as a start. Our most recent programme was on physical and mental development (Kem Bina Semangat) on April 19 where about 50 people participated.

In fact, such a programme is held once a year … usually during the first quarter.

Additionally, we are trying to hold more closed tournaments to further develop the interests of youths in Taekwondo.

Q: Do you think Taekwon-Do can help relieve work-related stress?

A: That is a definite ‘yes’. Working in a demanding environment means more responsibilities and with that, more stress. Stress results in negativity that may affect our health, mood and even strain our relationships with friends and family. Hence, the breathing techniques taught in Taekwon-Do can help make the body more relaxed and calm. In that mental state, you won’t get easily irritated.

Moreover, Taekwon-Do as a form of exercise will make us more productive in our work as our minds are refreshed.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: On a personal note, I like to go for my Fifth Dan upgrading before the age of 49. That means I have another six more years to prepare mentally and physically. As for SGTA’s future directions, we plan to set up more branches in Sarawak.

Currently, the association has branches in Sibu, Kuching and Mukah. In fact, We are now targeting to set up branches in Miri, Bintulu and Sarikei.

In line with the proposed expansion, we hope to produce more black belters to help teach and further the development of Taekwon-Do.