Day 3 ā The Dance of the Single Sword
Friday, May 30 ā Workshops, Breakthroughs & Brotherhood
The morning began with a grin and a beatāour early arrival meant our dramatic Xzibit soundtrack on the parking lot went entirely unheard. A quiet, funny start to a day that would be anything but ordinary.
Today was all about the single swordārefinement, speed, and creativity. The first workshop opened with a special moment: warrior Sterre was officially welcomed as a new Black Belt, stepping into the Dojang with energy and grace. Her warm-up led the toneāsolid, focused, and fierce.
Then came the wave of technique. Martial artists from different schools gathered to dive into brand-new sword forms. The room buzzed with effort and collaboration, as insights were exchanged and movements sharpened. For two hours, the space was alive with dedication and mutual growth.
In the second workshop, each learning group stepped forward to demonstrate what they had practiced. Watching those presentations was nothing short of inspiring. For the first time ever, I had the honor of performing Jangbeakāa form never before shown at the European events. A moment of quiet pride and intense presence.
After the demonstrations, the focus shifted to creative sparring. We paired up across ranks and styles, exploring the subtleties in distance, timing, and technique. It was refreshing, challenging, and humbling all at once. Grandmasterās guidance cut deepāhelping us see the hidden flaws and new possibilities in our movements.
One of the highlights was training Weisu Kyukkumāsingle-handed drills along a central line, with rapid-fire attacks and defenses. These drills demanded awareness, rhythm, and synergy between partners. Every exchange became a conversation in motion.
We wrapped the day with a joyful dinner under the evening sky in Maastricht, sharing stories and laughter over fresh pasta and other delicious meals. Spirits were high, bodies tired, hearts full. Tomorrow, we level up: double sword skills await.
Day 3 reminded us that the sword is not just a weaponāitās a language. And today, we all learned to speak it a little more fluently.
