Rank: 5 Geup

Belt: Purple

Skills:

• Sonnalmakki (Double-knife block)
• Pyonsonkkeut Sewotzireugi (Hand spear)
• Jebipoom Mokchigi (Hand-chop to neck while open palm parry block)
• Yopchagi (Side kick)
• Momtong Bakkatmakki (In-to-Out Block)
• Deungjumeok Apchigi (Back fist strike)

Kicks:

• Side kick from a lying position
• Forming a proper foot blade for effective side kick
• Proper standing leg balancing and pivoting for Roundhouse/Side kick

Poomsae: TaeGeuk 4 (Sah) Jang

This trigram represents Thunder. Also, the trigram is strongly connected to northeast and the relationship of the Eldest son. Thunder comes from the sky and is absorbed by the earth, thus, according to the beliefs of the I Ching, thunder is one of the most powerful natural forces. This pumsae is associated with power and the connection between the heavens and earth. This pumsae is intended to be performed with power resembling the Thunder for which it is named.

Poomsae video- Courtesy of Korea Taekwondo Association and Taekwonmaru

Promotion Test (5th Geup -> 4th Geup):

• At least 2 months elapsed since the last promotion
• Perform 2 poomsae between TaeGeuk 1 ~ 3 Jang
• Must Perform TaeGeuk 4 Jang
• Front Kick / Axe Kick / Out-to-In Kick / In-to-Out Kick /Roundhouse Kick (Mid-High)
• 2 minutes of Olympic sparring
• 1/2″ X 12″ X 10″ Board Break (Single / Axe Kick / Up to 4th Try)
• 1/2″ X 12″ X 10″ Board Break (Single / Hammer Fist (Striking Down Motion) / Up to 3rd Try)