MA and ME (P14 PROF. Carlos Damasco

MARTIAL ARTS and ME (p. 14)

Professor Carlos Damasco

I meet Eduardo Castañares, 7th Dan of Taekwondo I.T.F.

How about Edward? Tell me about your beginnings in Taekwondo.

Hello Carlos, my beginnings were in 1985 by the hand of Master Andrés Rivas at the Koryo Academy. In 1987 I began to give classes being an Advanced Green Belt in a social project in the Aires Puros area, more precisely in the Ipiranga Club, I point out that I was authorized by Rivas to teach classes. The condition was that, until I was Punta Negra, my students could not take exams. Therefore, until 1988, when I graduated, no one took the exam. The 1st. I obtained Dan in August 1988, the examiner was the 7th Dan Master and one of the introducers of Taekwondo in Argentina, K.D. Chung. Within the Taekwondo I.T.F. I participated until 1995 both in Uruguay and in Argentina, mainly I participated especially in Forms (Tul) and special breaks, high and long jump, combined techniques in the air. As an instructor I was in various low-income places such as the Ipiranga Club, as well as in the southern zone of Montevideo, Punta Gorda and Carrasco. This served me as an experience to see both realities and the importance of Martial Arts in the human part. This experience showed me that Martial Art helps to unify. And this is where my big change comes from, since at that time I was still competing and I realized that the competition is what stands out is the ego, for the one who wins and even more so if he wins very often it goes against the principles of Martial Arts. I also had discrepancies with the referees due to inappropriate comments towards me, I chose to leave the competition and dedicate myself to the martial part. That brought a lot of inconvenience, since the Taewondo I.T.F. It was seen more as a sport than as a Martial Art, so we were left out of several circuits, added to the separation of Andrés Rivas from I.T.F. after a discrepancy with an important Vietnamese teacher T.T.Quan, since my Master did not agree with granting black belts without the proper time and technique. That led me down another path, to study Chinese Medicine. Training it in a martial way led me to see the versatility of Taekwondo and that it adapts to all fighting systems, simply putting tulles into

practice. That also led me to have a technical exchange with Masters of other Martial Arts. With the first one that I had that Judo experience with Maestro Chiappesoni, I went once a month to his academy in the Rivera and Luis A. de Herrera area. The practices that we had with him became very interesting and I was able to notice that practicing another Martial Art, the similarity of techniques with Taekwondo, perhaps applied in another way. Thanks to the Master I met Daniel Bogado Master of Kung Fu and Robert Long of Full Contact and Kick Boxing with whom we work together having a very good experience. Already in 2012, a large group was assembled at Club Tuyutí where about 12 Martial Arts teachers taught classes. Among so many Masters I name Mario Da Silva and Ricardo García among others. The exchange experience was very good and enriching. I have currently practiced with Goju Kai Karate people under the supervision of Master Mario Alvarez, who train in a very martial way and I will On trips abroad, mainly to Argentina, I had the opportunity to participate in classes taught by the first 9th Dan from North Korea, G.M. Kwang. I also participated in classes taught by the G.M. Phap Lu who was General Choi's Technical Assistant in his Seminars. But here in time, precisely in 2019, I had the opportunity to participate and take the Master's exam, with the G.M. Orlando Vega, of Puerto Rican origin and based in the United States. In his youth he was a great competitor, but today he develops Taekwondo as a Martial Art. A Martial Artist trains so as not to have to use his Art, but in case of having to use it, he tries to win as quickly as possible. He trains to be a better person every day and always wants to avoid having a problem that involves him in a fight. As an INISA worker, I have realized the importance of control in a highly conflictive place, and being able to control situations without exercising any type of violence. Obviously it is about being in harmony with oneself.

The last Eduardo, what plans do you have for 2023?

I tell you that, an Argentine 5th Dan is coming for a walk and we coordinate to carry out black belt training, in the first week of January. At the end of that month, we have agreed training sessions with 8th Dan Ernesto Rucker, a Uruguayan but based in Argentina. Already in February I plan to take exams for grade changes. At the end of the same month, a practice is scheduled for the weekend, with the already mentioned people of Karate Goju kai. In March, we will travel to the city of Minas to carry out a training session with our partner Froilán Dirón, who on that date will be a brand new 7th Dan, who will take his exam this December in the City of Buenos Aires, and I will go in his company. Halfway through the year, a student of mine in charge of the sports part will present competitors in a tournament to be held in Maldonado. I would also add that I am proud to meet people who were my students in their childhood, and some from very critical contexts, who today are Professionals, and they recognize how important I have been to them, partly influencing their training and being today, good people.

Eduardo, to finish, I point out that next year we will continue sharing Taekwondo I.T.F and W.T. practices on the last Friday of each month. It should be noted that I appreciate your time.