14th annual Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Taekwondo Championship

October 23, 2002
By Spc. Claudette M. Roulo

FORT HOOD, Texas - A near capacity crowd filled Abrams Physical Fitness Center last night for the opening ceremonies of the 14th annual Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Taekwondo Championship.

The ceremony included music by the Ironhorse Band, the official band of the 4th Infantry Division; the transfer of the official CISM flag from the Netherlands, host of the 2001 CISM taekwondo championship, to the United States; speeches by the garrison commander, Col. William H. Parry, and Capt. Bengt Nylander of Sweden, the official CISM representative; and traditional Korean dancing and drumming by the Doalnara Rising Sun Performing Arts Group, a youth group from Doalnara Academy and Doalnara Institute.

Capt. Nylander spoke on CISM's role in improving international relations by developing the bonds of friendship through sport. "13,000 athletes and officials participate in CISM events each year," he said. This makes CISM the largest organization of its type.

The audience seemed to consider the performance by Doalnara a major highlight of the evening. The group performed four dances for the crowd: Sogo, the hand drum dance; Ogo-mu, the five-drum dance, Samulnori, a percussion ensemble; and the royal fan dance.

"I wanted to come. I've been influenced by martial arts since I was little," said Daniel P. Reynolds, a spectator at the event. He said he could see aspects of martial arts reflected in the dancing and drumming. The five-drum dance in particular demonstrated the endurance, dexterity, and acrobatic movements of the dancers.

According to Doalnara's informational brochure, during the five-drum dance nine dancers beat on small barrel drums hung on colorful wooden stands. The drums surround the dancers on three sides. The dancers turn in half circles at first, gradually building into faster rhythms as the dancers turn in full circles, rolling the sticks around the edges of the drums and hitting the sticks together to add spirit to the dance.

Reynolds thought the concentration of the drummers and forms in the dance were similar to taekwondo. "In taekwondo we compete in synchronized forms."

Reynolds sister-in-law, Joy L. Reynolds, said she came to the ceremony because her father-in-law asked her to drive Daniel. When she saw the dancing, though, "I wanted to go get my little girl, but I didn't want to leave. I thought the show was really interesting. I liked the drumming and the fans."

Doalnara was formed in 1999 to familiarize students with the culture and heritage of Korea through traditional dance and music. The group travels throughout the United States as part of its educational mission.