Universal Taekwondo Federation

Interview with Rudy Pelgrims by Kamalpreet Kaur Badasha

Rudy Pelgrims, the Head Instructor of Nong Jang in Belgium, kindly spared some time to give this interview.

Rudy Pelgrims & John Webster When did you start Tae Kwon Do?
When I was 23 years old

Why did you start Tae Kwon Do?
I first began Tae Kwon Do as a child, with my brother and brother in law. Then I stopped in favour of other sports, which included football and cycling.

However, a few years later I returned to Tae Kwon Do. My brother in law called me because my nephew needed a lift to his Tae Kwon Do club. That was when I returned to Martial Arts. The second time I took my nephew to his class; I went to the shop and bought a dobok and it was then that I started training again.

Why do you continue to train?
While I was cycling, I learned to train in a different style. In cycling if you keep your legs still for a moment, you will be quickly left behind by other cyclists. There is a level of fitness that has to be maintained to remain ahead of competitors.

This means that when I train I give 100 per cent. When my students give 100 per cent and lose. It does not matter, because I know they tried their best. However, if a student does not give 100 per cent and loses, then I am not happy about it.

There are few other professions where you are able to help children become more coordinated. Tae Kwon Do is important to me because it is able to contribute to children developing motor skills.

Rudy Pelgrims & Jason Creighton Who was the first coach to really inspire you?
The first coach to inspire me was, Bart Laureys.

Which do you prefer Poomsae (patterns) or Kyorugi (sparring)?
I like Kyorugi (sparring).

Why do you prefer Kyorugi?
In Poomsae, you know what will happen next.

In a fight there are always surprises. For example, you may fight against a fighter ten times and win. However, at the eleventh fight the same opponent beats you because he has changed tactics and trained differently.

Poomsae have a set routine, so everything is in your own hands. This is not the case with fighting. Of course there is respect for people who practice Poomsae.

What would your advice be to someone who wishes to improve in Tae Kwon Do?
It is important to always listen to your body. When you have injuries, it is a sign that you should take care of yourself and take time out to recover. When kicking, it is essential to remain relaxed. This will make executing the kick easier.

Also, remember that your opponent is a person just like you. It is vital that you never let a competitor overwhelm you. Keep in mind that they have two legs and kick, just like you do.

Another point is to have variation in your training and it should just not solely concentrate on Tae Kwon Do. For example, incorporate cycling and use a trampoline to train. If you focus on Tae Kwon Do all the time, you will become tired in your head. If there is no difference in your routine, you will not develop, as the body will then be using the same muscles in the same way all the time.

Take the opportunity to train with a different coach; every mentor has something new to teach. Their explanation of the same topic could bring a greater understanding. Another instructor may offer an alternative view.

What is your favourite technique?
Naeryo chagi (chop kick) in a counter attack. Which is then followed by a kick to the stomach with the back leg. There are two powers: his (your opponent) kick and your kick.

How do you maintain your flexibility?
There are two types of stretches, static and dynamic. I use static stretching while cooling down after a training session. While dynamic stretches help prevent injuries.

I consulted a kinaesthetic and have removed the stretching from my routine, which was considered unbeneficial.

How do you view the future of Tae Kwon Do?
It is developing.

There are an increasing number of countries becoming professional. The smaller nations that wish to turn professional will face difficulty financing their teams.

The emphasis in training has changed. The Iranians focus on speed and impact. Whereas in the past attention was paid solely on impact, it then moved to speed. However, now importance is being placed on a combination of both speed and impact.

Who is the best present Tae Kwon Do athlete in your opinion?
Steven Lopez, he won Gold at the Olympics in 2004 and 2000 as well as Gold at the World Championships three times in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

Who was the best Tae Kwon Do athlete of the past?
Elena Benitez was one of the greatest, with both her European and Olympic titles.

Who is the best Tae Kwon Do athlete of the future?
Belgium looks to the Netherlands, who as a nation are doing very well. Both nations are working hard on Tae Kwon Do.

France is also going to be big, especially as Henk Meijer is now the head coach of the French Tae Kwon Do Federation.

What qualities do you think are important in a student?
A student needs to have the will to work. Many times a fighter is good but they are lazy. Then there are occasions when the student may not be as talented in their techniques but they have the commitment to work. The student must be motivated.

A student who has the ability to ‘read’ a match is a good quality to have too. They need to have good observational skills, which allow them to know which kick is coming next; and the ability to pre-empt the kick and make a counter move before the opponents makes contact.

How could Tae Kwon Do be made more exciting?
It is already interesting.

Do you feel that the self-defence aspect is being ‘lost’?
In Tae Kwon Do, there is so much to learn that you have to choose which aspect you focus on - whether it is self-defence, patterns or sparring.

Hap Kido could be considered as the self-defence of Tae Kwon Do. In France up to 6,000 people practice Hap Kido. Overall the self-defence emphasis is not being ‘lost’.

How do you feel about the rule changes?
Increasing the points for head shots was good, as it now makes fights more of a spectacle to watch. The ruling to give points for kicks to the back has also changed the style of fights, making it more interesting.

Do you feel Poomsae could become part of the Olympics?
No, it is already a challenge to get people interested in Tae Kwon Do. Poomsae are not spectacular enough, so it will not attract an audience.

What was your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement was when I competed in the quarterfinal at the German Open and won bronze.

I was unable to develop in a competitive capacity, as I did not have the time because I took over my club when I was a blue belt. I spent my time teaching and attending seminars, so that I could develop as a coach. This is the reason why my career as an active fighter was short. Henk Meijer was the one who pushed me to make a choice between being a fighter or a coach; it is not possible to do both simultaneously at an elite level.

Do you have any regrets?
Yes, that I stopped training in Tae Kwon Do when I was a child. If I had continued training at that point, maybe it would have given more of a opportunity to develop myself as a fighter. Although, despite this I still feel very ‘hungry’ to learn and train in Tae Kwon Do.

What are your likes?
I like to spend a lot of time focusing on Tae Kwon Do; it is my life and allows me to work with people that are motivated. For example, training with the UTF in Belgium was a particularly enjoyable experience. Being able to teach students is rewarding.

I enjoy travelling and visiting other countries.

What are your dislikes?
Dishonesty. Unfulfilled promises, a promise that is made should be kept.

What is your favourite film?
“Gladiator”, I saw it before a fight and it was inspiring. “Best of the Best”, because there are only a few films where you can see Tae Kwon Do. In most films Tae Kwon Do is called Karate.

How do you like to relax?
By driving my BMW with the roof down and enjoying my surroundings.

<< back to articles