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Profile
- Master Evan 'Zeus' Davidson
by Mark Banicevich, IV dan
and Matthew Breen, IV dan
Co-editors, Taekwon-Do Talk
Master Davidson’s signature
flying high kick in Singapore
What got you interested in Taekwon-Do? How did you get started?
Talked into watching a training session by my Army Colleagues at the
Naval Base in Singapore. I joined up at the next session.
Who has inspired you and why?
I am inspired by seeing Taekwon-Do beginners, develop, achieve their
goals to reach black belt and instructor levels.
What are your goals for the future in Taekwon-Do?
To see General Choi's original Taekwon-Do takes its rightful place,
as the true Taekwon-Do.
What are two of your outstanding Taekwon-Do memories?
Firstly: personal training with General Choi in a hotel room in 1978.
General Choi wanted to see a gup pattern. He then made adjustments to
my stances and hand placements. To have the Founder of the Art check technique
was an awesome feeling.
Secondly: I was the Manager and Coach of the New Zealand Taekwon-Do
Team to then South Pacific Championships held in Suva, Fiji, August 1983.
As Manager, I had to take part in the Kava Ceremony on behalf of the
competitors. That way our competiors would not be 'intoxicated' or sick
prior to competing. The tournament was followed by a full day’s
training seminar, with plenty of time to soak up the tropical sun and
sea. It was great to catch up with our Australian, Fiji and Papua New
Guinea Taekwon-Do family.
Master Davidson with Master YK Yun in 1975
What years did you open clubs?
Miramar February 1975
Khandallah March 1979
Te Awamutu February 1986
What are your current Taekwon-Do positions?
President of ITFNZ Taekwon-Do
Member of ITFNZ Taekwon-Do Technical Subcommittee
Senior Examiner for ITFNZ Taekwon-Do
Instructor of Te Awamutu
Any other martial arts related awards?
1st in Highest Jumping Front Kick at 1st South Pacific Open
Black Belt Tournament (Brisbane - 10 January 1981).
Inducted into New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame (11 November
2000).
ITFNZ Honorary Life Member
What year did you begin Taekwon-Do?
April 1972, aged 20.
Which was your first club and who was the instructor?
HMS Terror Taekwon-Do Club at the Sembawang Naval Base in Singapore,
under Mr R Jayaraman, III dan
Grading history:
I, 9 September 1973, Singapore, Master Lee Song Soo
II, 4 October 1977, NZ, Master YK Yun
III, 6 May 1980, NZ, Master YK Yun
IV, 29 April 1989, Brisbane Australia, Master YK Yun
V, 4 October 1993, NZ, Master CE Sereff
VI, 23 June 1998, Maui Hawaii, Grand Master CE Sereff
What’s your favourite Taekwon-Do technique?
Flying reverse turning kick
Do you have a favourite General Choi quote?
“Train hard – grading easy;
Train easy – grading hard.”
