KUK SOOL WON Norwich School

At the age of 42 and standing at 6ft 2 inches tall, he is only a man, but, Kwahn Jahng Nim John Ives is also a 5th Dahn Master in Kuk Sool Won, and currently holds the position of Chief Instructor for all UK schools.

He started his career in Korean Martial Arts in Norwich in 1973 at the tender age of 15, but it wasn't until 1977 that he discovered and started training in Kuk Sool Won, under the careful instruction of Master M.Y.Kim. But to train, he had to travel to Cambridge and London. This was very exhausting but worth every minute of the tedious and time consuming journey.

After gaining his first Dahn Black Belt in 1978, tragedy struck, after several years of dedicated training, he found himself with a severe injury to the Cruciate ligament, the main ligament in the knee. If this wasn't a cruel blow in itself, he was then told by doctors that he would never train in martial arts again. The future was not looking bright, but the young hopeful was not going to let this deter him. Four months later he was back in training, building up the muscles around the knee. In 1981, after a great deal of hard training and perseverance, he was to gain his Second Dahn.

1984 was to be a very special year for Master Ives. In June, he married his one and only true love Lorraine, and 16 years on, they are still happily married in one of the strongest relationships I have known. Lorraine is the Co-owner of the Norwich school and is in charge of the day to day running of the School. Two years after their marriage, a small bundle of joy arrived, Kelly, who, at the time of writing this is 14, and a Dahn Bo Nim. In 1988, their second daughter Elizabeth arrived, now 12 and a Jo Kyo Nim (1st Degree Black Belt). If that wasn't enough for one year and one person, later that year he was to meet founder and Grandmaster of Kuk Sool Won, In Hyuk Suh, for the first time. This was to be a one of the most exciting and enlightening experiences of his Martial Arts career.

In 1989 he was to gain his Third Dahn, followed by his Fourth Dahn three years later in 1992, and from there he went from strength to strength. With all this enthusiasm and fire in his heart, it wasn't long before he opened up his first school in Norwich, which now boasts over 170 students.

The October of 1996 was to see him gain his Fifth Dahn, alongside KJN Richard Roper, now residing in Kingwood Texas and KJN Phillip Holmes of Eastbourne. In January of 1997, he was given the great honour and privilege, by Kuk Sa Nim, of becoming the Training Director for all students in the UK and Europe. This involves extensive travel and time, which he has to fit in around his family and the running of his own business, however, to be able to pass on a little of his experiences and training given to him by diligent Kuk Sool Masters, holds great rewards in itself. Amongst these duties he manages to find time to officiate at all W.K.S.A UK events and World Championships.

He takes great pride in having the privilege of teaching Kuk Sool Won, this is notable in all of the classes he instructs. He demonstrates great patience, love and determination for Martial Arts, which he has practiced now for over 27 years. He is renowned for his kicking abilities, and has a turn back side kick that would knock you into the next millennium. So it goes to show, that with determination and with Kuk Sool running through your veins, anything is possible.

Written by Dahn Bo Nim, Tracy Burton, April 2000

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