Oakham Nub News has got 'up close' with the team at Stamford and Oakham TKD, a local club dedicated to TaeKwon-Do.

TaeKwon-Do is a Korean martial art involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast kicking techniques. 

TaeKwon-Do can be broken down to "tae" meaning to kick with the foot; "kwon" means to punch or strike with the hand; "do" means art or way. Therefore, TaeKwon-Do translates to "the art of kicking and punching."

Oakham and Stamford's local school is run by Master Richard Auciello, or 'Master A' to the regular club users, who is passionate about teaching the 2,000-year-old martial art to both children and adults.

Master Auciello said: "Studying martial arts is looked at for many reasons today, self-defence, confidence boosting, physical fitness and flexibility being the common catalysts for beginners.

"Increasingly in the modern world though, the mental health or an alternative focus for stress relief seems to be looked more and more, especially in adult students."

Master Auciello himself was inspired to take up TaeKwon-Do as a method of self-defence when he went to see Karate Kid at the cinema in 1984. 

Master A took up TaeKwon-Do at a young age, but it is never too late. Image credit: Stamford and Oakham TKD.

He said: "Quickly as a boy I felt the benefits of training, becoming physically stronger with more flexibility, and my instructor found a natural ability for competition inside me. This resulted in great success at a national level, and I was successful in gaining my Blackbelt at 11 years old."

He found himself "bitten by the tournament bug" and competed all over the country with much success, eventually entering his first adult tournament two years early, at just 16 years old and winning a silver medal. 

He added: "This resulted in the National Squad Coaches selecting me to be a part of a team that competed at the Olympic stadium in Moscow, Russia. I was fortunate to win a European bronze medal at my first international competition. Securing my place in the adult squad for the next 8 years."

This not only gave Master Auciello the opportunity to become a world-class competitor, but meant that he travelled the world doing the sport he loves.

He won: 

1993 – Moscow, Russia – European Bronze 

1994 – Bathgate, Scotland – Intercontinental Silver

1995 – Cagliari, Sardinia – World Silver

1996 – Fife, Scotland – European Silver 

1997 – St Louis, USA – World Silver

1998 – Eschwege, Germany – European Gold

1999 – New York, USA – Intercontinental Silver

2000 – Rimini, Italy – World Gold 

TaeKwon-Do is used for fitness, self-defence and wellness. Image credit: Stamford and Oakham TKD.

After competing at the highest levels, he felt the winning the world title was a nice way finish to his tournament career, and took the natural path towards a coaching career.

He had already done some coaching alongside his competitions, but dived into coaching across Market Deeping, Bourne, Stamford and Oakham, encouraging his students the way he had been encouraged as a young competitor. 

Master Auciello said: "Many of my students have worked towards the coveted Blackbelt grade, and several have been select to represent England at international level with some exceptional successes. 

"For me this was a fantastic experience, but the most rewarding moment in my coaching career came in December 2005 after receiving a BBC Sporting achievement award and a former student, Mr Graham Henson, being presented with a BBC Special Achievement award, after overcoming many hurdles and disabilities to become a successful Blackbelt."

TaeKwon-Do is practiced across the world. Image credit: Stamford and Oakham TKD.

Master A has since taught TaeKwon-Do inside many local schools as part of Physical Education and Wellbeing classes, married and has two daughters, all of whom have achieved their Blackbelts, and even returned to competitions in 2012. 

Despite "creaky legs and hips" he placed 1st in two events at the British Championships. 

Inspired by this success, Master Auciello, his wife, Joanne, and daughters, Jessica and Rimini, competed at the World Championships in 2013. 

This would be their first World Championships, along with several of Master A's students from the area.

He said: "The club had amazing successes at both competitions, with several of my students returning with medals from both events. For my family, the Championships were an overwhelming success."

Master A's students have seen success at international competitions. Image credit: Stamford and Oakham TKD.

Joanne won 5 medals over the three day event, becoming the Individual World Power Breaking Silver, Individual Sparring Bronze, Veteran Ladies Team Breaking Champions, Team Sparring Champions, Team Patterns Bronze medallist. 

Meanwhile, Jessica won the Junior Team Sparring Bronze, Junior Team Patterns Bronze and Team Power Bronze, and Rimini, Individual Sparring Silver. I became the Individual World Power Breaking Champion, and Individual Patterns Silver medallist.

Master A concluded: "Proud doesn't come close. My heart was bursting. I'm truly blessed with my family sharing the love for TaeKwon-Do. 

"This family element has been a massive part of the club with many of my Blackbelt instructors training alongside their children, some training for nearly 15 years together. It continues in my classes with families training alongside each other.

"Currently we have family classes on Tuesday and Thursday evening at Casterton College and Saturday mornings at the Active Hub, Ashwell, Oakham.

"The successes of my students over the last 30 years continues, currently we're preparing for an international event held in Belgium later this year. With a family of four, all taking part! May the clubs legacy continue."

Do you fancy having a go at TaeKwon-Do? Image credit: Stamford and Oakham TKD.

If you are feeling inspired by this incredible local story of determination and support, and want to get involved in TaeKwon-Do, contact the team on [email protected].

All ages and levels are welcome, and it is never too late to start your journey with Stamford and Oakham TKD. 

Alternatively, email [email protected] to share your success stories, local clubs, events and much more.