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St Albans TaeKwonDo

"Always putting progression first before profits"

 

8th Dan Black Belt Exam

7th Dan Black Belt Exam

6th Dan Black Belt 3 Board Break

Hall of fameMaster Snow’s 39 Year History

Chris started training in January 1986 after spending more then a year looking for a suitable Martial Art to learn. During his testing time in the arts, he trained in Kung Fu, Karate, Moo Tai and even a small stint in boxing – sadly, nothing really took his fancy. Tae Kwon Do was first taught to him by local Instructor Mr. Billy Vigour, then 2nd Dan, in January 1986. Chris spent a year with him until he decided to transfer from the Hemel Hempstead club to one in St. Albans. His reason for leaving his first coach was he really did not want to grade – this attitude changed as new coach and mentor Mr. John McDonald, then 2nd Degree, helped Chris gain his confidence and start taking exams.

Moving On in TaeKwonDo

In 1987, the club was having major problems so Chris decided to transfer to another Instructor, Mr. Anthony Manning, then 3rd Dan (now a Master). It was here his skill was nurtured to full capacity. Though he was not really a competition person, he soon started taking part and bringing home a few medals. Tony was a man that was tough in his training, but knew how to produce champions being a well seasoned fighter on the circuit and winning many national titles himself. In those days, they were real titles as there was not as many splits as these days, so many people attended the same events.

Chris remained with Tony right up until January 2001. There were a few issues with the group he was with at the time, which was why Chris decided he wanted to take control of his own destiny. He had also had a few problems with his then coach, but these were minor at this time. Chris was a 4th Degree at the time, so he wanted to do things his own way. It MUST be said Chris believes to this day the organisation he was with then (the B.U.T.F.) is the best in the U.K. and his coach was more loyal than he realised back then.

He can say this as just about everyone we have been associated with since leaving them in 2001 has stolen

GCHH AWARDS InPixioInstructors and members, tried to enforce new rules on us and damage our reputation by slandering us. This is water under the bridge, as nowadays we operate a stable group that moves forward on its own with no politics.
Chris competed in National events from 1989 right up to 2009 and has scoooped 40 plus awards for doing so – as stated, not many golds, but he has made up with silvers and bronzes and has been a player that has always had a go.

In 1994, he became a coach in Tae Kwon Do and has been running clubs in St. Albans and London Colney since then. He now looks after the L.T.S.I.

It has not been an easy life for him, as he was in boarding schools and homes when he was younger due to his parents not being great role models. At the age of 10, he was involved in a motorbike accident which ripped his stomach out and left him with 170 stitches. He had to learn balance, speech and co-ordination skills again, so you can see what he has achieved is pretty impressive.

Teaching from the heart

As an Instructor he teaches from the heart, he is outspoken at times and will not bow down to pressure from those senior to him, he is extremely disciplined in and out the club and is not a smoker or drinker. When teaching, he reflects and pulls information from his younger years – this approach means that you can learn from his experiences, good and bad. It is documented he has had around 30+ real confrontations – some have been bloody battles from which he has lost teeth and is still carrying the scars, but this is something he is not proud of and can often be heard at class saying he was not a wise man in his teens and early 20’s. He has produced over 60 national champions and european and world medalist.

All his grades have been earnt from sweat and blood – as stated above, his co-ordination has always been poor and his speech often weaker than most, yet he makes most look poor in kicking skills or performances. At 49, he is one of the most flexible coaches in the U.K. still but, more importantly, he is down to earth, treating all students the same, regardless of age or creed.

He has trained five days a week, two hours a day personally since starting Tae Kwon Do and still does. He often says his first love in life is his wife and kids, but a close second is his Tae Kwon Do. (read his path to master path to master2 a very personal story written by him)

In November 2020 he was inducted into the General Choi Hong Hi Hall of Fame, making him one of a very few in the world to get this honour.

His dream in life is to run a full time Martial Arts centre one day but, as he says “It may never happen, but I will keep trying”. National & International certificates are held by chris 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th and 7th Dan Master Certificates. 1st Degree was issued by the GBTA not shown as damaged during a house move in 2000.

Interntaional I.T.F. Examiner & Referee certificates held.

Certification:

irc 1
iic 1
2ndd
2nd 1
3rd 1
5th 1
vi 1
7th 1

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