On 27 and 28 May 2023 in the Sofia, Bulgaria was held “Open Advanced Taekwon-do Seminar 2023” conducted by Senor Master Malcolm Jones VIII dan. SM Jones leads Integrity martial arts group (Taekwon-do, Kickboxing and Self Defense), member of Open International Taekwon-do Federation (OITF). The invitation to visit Bulgaria was from Master Boris Atanasov – President of Advanced Taekwondo Europe.
The seminar started with the official promotion of ATEU instructors and masters in rank: Master Boris Atanasov was awarded the title “Senior Master” – VIII dan; Ivo Stefanov – V dan; Victoria Hristova – 2nd dan; Bojin Zafirov – 2nd dan; and Teodora Todorova – I dan;.
The certificates were awarded by SM Jones. The program of the seminar was extremely diverse and interesting for the participants. Four training sessions were held, each different from the others: basic technique, patterns, sparring and self-defense. Event was open and kickboxing practitioners participated.
ATEU Congress was held as part of the Seminar. A special guest of the event was SM Malcolm Jones, who received as a gift the book “Advanced Taekwon-Do – Modern Martial Art” with autographs by the authors B. Atanasov and M. Iliev and a badge of Advanced Taekwondo Europe. A new instructor board was voted at the congress, which included new members – Tommy Gizdov, Valentin Andonov and Ivan Ivanov.
A demonstration on “Police self defence” was made by Mario Iliev – a longtime teacher and instructor at the Academy of the Ministry of Interior (Police academy). Master Iliev (VII dan) performed attractive techniques for self-defense against an unarmed or armed with a knife or metal pipe attacker.
The seminar ended with a solemn award ceremony for the participants.
In order to achieve its goals, ATEU maintains contacts with various international organizations and Grand Masters developing martial arts around the world. ATEU Мasters and instructors regularly participate in international events, maintaining a high level skills and up-to-date knowledge in martial arts.
