National poomsae athlete Willemien Lai Lini performs a side kick.
BINTULU: The recent Movement Control Order (MCO) restricted but did not stop taekwondo athletes from skill and technical training.
Bintulu Smart Taekwondo Club head coach Pui Jak Joon revealed that poomsae training for their exponents continued from the first day of MCO in March but it went online.
“We were utilising technology, a Telegram app for online training, it was easy and they just posted their training videos or photos on Telegram and from there we can guide and monitor them accordingly,” he told The Borneo Post.
“Training at home was easy and with flexibility as they can do it anytime they like.
“During this fasting month, some of them do it around midnight and as early as 3am,” he added.
Combo photos and videos of Bintulu Smart exponents in training.
Indeed, the coach felt that even after MCO there is a realisation of the usefulness of such training via online applications.
It allows athletes to train effectively at home any time as long as under the close supervision of instructors using the technology.
“For me there is no problem, as long as they have the spirit, the training will continue as usual,” Pui said of this practice which may still be applied after the Covid-19 crisis is over.
Under the current Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) only poomsae events are allowed to be conducted outdoor but not exceeding 10 individuals at one time.
Pui said the club has a plan to do it but there is no proper outdoor venue for it at the moment.
So for the time being poomsae training still continues via online supervision.