I have heard that it's hard to get say-gums or any type of "gums" outside of mook, into south korea for the world championships....does anyone have any knowledge of this?

thanks

I remember foriegn participants in the 2004 championships weren't allowed to bring jingums into South Korea. Black belt compeitors were provided kagums for parts of their competitions.

Some competitors were prevented from bringing their kagum into Korea, some weren't. The group I was with had no difficulties so I lent mine to a few who were unsuccessful at bringing their own. At the same time, though, a lot of the foreign participants competed with their mogum. If the federation provided kagum, then it was not well publicized.

While it is true that foreign participants were not allowed to bring jingum for the competition, I brought one of mine with me on that trip not for the competition, but to have repaired. I got it in, but I know that was an anomaly and was attempted with the understanding that I may not be successful. It was repaired during my visit and I brought it back with me. My master was with me during both trips through customs and it left me believing that I would have not been successful had I been on my own. I wonder if having a Korean master makes a difference with getting kagum into Korea as well.

As for using kagum in the competitions, I've heard that all participants were expected to use the federation's standard kagum. Some competitors used very light models like our current saegum and I'm told it was frowned upon by the judges and may have affected their score. Can anybody else substantiate this?

well I sold my kagum as I LOVE the saegum, these old shoulders like them too, will they provide one? I don't know, I would like to use my saegum...maybe I'll risk the frowns, but will be victorious anyway

Winning isn't everything, especially when it's not your skills, but instead your equipment that merits you that win. By having everyone use the same equiment, we are all on equal ground.

can sombody clarify what each sword talked about is

I think the mokgum is the wooden sword, kagum is the unsharpened sword, and the jingum is the sharp sword for cutting.

Am I correct???

Adam

then I will lose....

Don't cry, Dan. Charles is just being a fuddy duddy. It's not his fault. He's a Japanese stylist at heart. (I'm just giving you a good-natured hard time, Charles. Nothing serious.)

If the weight of the standard kagum causes you too much shoulder pain, more than you want to bear even for the competition, then take along a light 100cm mogum and use that. I imagine that at least some of the foreign competitors will be prevented from bringing their kagum into Korea again this time around meaning that they may be competing with mogum as well, so you won't stand out.

I take it you don't do much jingum work due to its weight?

You're right.

Although I'm unfamiliar with the term "saegum". A lighter version of kagum? Would this be useable for chipdan (sp?) cutting?

boy..some people can't take a joke...sorry I didn't put a "smiley" face after the victory comment...

Mr. casey...I do, do some jingum.....but lately my shoulders have been bothering me...PLUS can anyone NOT see that that whole thread about winning and such as a joke? have we become too serious and miss the lighter side? I hope not...

actually..now looking up at my "victory" statement...I DID put a smiley face after it...

Shame sir, the metric system? What would your countrym..er, persons think!

Dan, please read the posting guidelines. In fine print, you can clearly read, "By the way, don't EVAR post jokes on this forum. Anyone who breaks this rule will be skinned alive, dipped in the salt of our sweat from 1hr of horse stance, have his eardrums blown by our superior kihap and be submited to hours upon hours of endless chat about the difference between Gumdo and Kumdo, because they ARE totally different and you all know it!"

As you can see, it's right there. We won't tolerate your good humor and non-elitist personality. Frankly, you better watch out, because we've been known to drug people with a sense of humor and use them for cutting. (Hey, it's cheaper than Mugen Tachi tatami omote.)

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Ahem...

I might like the drugging part!!!

I will, from now on, watch my puns and qwacks..