MASTER Con Halpin, sixth Dan Taekwondo paid a visit to the Dragon Taekwondo Academy at Halwill, and took part of the lesson.

To have such an eminent instructor and a ten times British champion, a pioneer of British technical Taekwondo, was a great honour for the club, which was only established in 2008.

Master Halpin has been training in WTF Taekwondo since the early 1970s and is chief instructor of one of the UKs most successful clubs in the London area.

Master Con is one of Niall Granges original instructors Niall is chief instructor at Dragons Taekwondo Academy,

Both men have been great friends for more than 30 years, and team mates from 1994 to 2005. They have travelled across Europe and around Britain to compete at major championships.

Master Con has also been a team mate and coach to two of Nialls children, Emma and Liam, who between them were eight times British champions.

The lesson was divided into two sessions with Master Con getting the students warmed up with some fast kicking, strength and stretching development techniques. Then he showed some punching and combination hand techniques.

The second half of the lesson was Hosin-Hapkido (self-defence). Niall took this session, and started with some break-falling, tumbling. Master Halpin was enjoying himself and allowed his work partner to throw him about the mat. 

The two and a half hour session was brought to a close with Master Con presenting an embroidered black belt from the students of Dragon Taekwondo Academy to Jason King. Jason passed his first dan exam a few weeks ago at the biannual dan grading held in Southampton.

If you would like to try Olympic Taekwondo and Hosin-Hapkido  then contact Dragon Taekwondo Academy on 01409 221458 or email or look at the web site on http://www.devontaekwondo.com">www.devontaekwondo.com