Profile - Master Willy van de Mortel, VII dan

by Greg Skinner
Director of Coaching and Selections

A name that has been synonymous for many years with world champions in free sparring is that of Master Willy van de Mortel. Some of his protégés include such famous names as Tomaz Barada, Julia Cross and Bianca Tapilatu, to name a few. He also coached Tomaz Barada throughout his WAKO Kickboxing career where he achieved an incredible 84 wins from 84 fights to become the undisputed WAKO Kickboxing World Champion in his division.

Master van de Mortel has been involved with several countries to develop and coach free sparring at World Championships, including the Netherlands, Italy and Slovenia. He was, of course, also contracted to the New Zealand Junior Team in 2004 and Senior Team in 2005.

This year, ITFNZ has contracted Master van de Mortel to hold a sparring development camp for some of our talented juniors, plus a number of seminars throughout the country for other interested Taekwon-Doin. The first visit will be in July, with another scheduled for December, in what is planned to be an on-going program to further develop and lift sparring standards.

Greg Skinner caught up with Master van de Mortel while in Europe last month, and put the following questions to him.

What year and how old were you when you started Taekwon-Do?

I commenced Taekwon-Do in 1976 at the age of 17.

At what club did you start and who was your instructor?

The club was Tiger Academy in Deurne. The instructor was Frans Maandag.

When did you achieve your 1st dan black belt?

In 1981, five years after commencing.

When did you start instructing, and at which club?

I commenced instructing in 1992. The club was the Taekwon-Do Centre, also in Deurne.

What are some of your biggest Taekwon-Do achievements?

From a competition viewpoint, this would have to be the results that I have achieved with a number of students in becoming European and World Champions.

What is the highlight of your Taekwon-Do career?

Again from a competition viewpoint I have been fortunate to have been involved with several students that have achieved World Champion titles, but the most memorable for me would have to be at the 1999 World Championships in Argentina, when Tomaz Barada became World Champion -63kg division for the first time. Also, my recent achievement of 7th dan and Master is a highlight for me.

What is your most embarrassing Taekwon-Do moment?

This I cannot honestly answer as nothing in particular comes to mind. In any case, I do not want to look backwards and prefer to concentrate on what is ahead.

	Master van de Mortel has been a friend of ITFNZ for many years. We first met in 1992, when Master van de Mortel came to New Zealand for our World Camp, in Palmerston North. The picture below was taken at that event. Master van de Mortel (then 3rd dan) is pictured with Master Fabian Nunez of Texas (then 4th dan, now 7th dan).

What are your personal goals for the future?

My major goal for the future is to give the knowledge and experience gained as a competitor and also as an instructor back to other students.

What are your goals for the future of ITFNZ Taekwon-Do?

My immediate involvement with ITFNZ will be by way of the forthcoming sparring seminars that will take place in July and December this year. From these I would like to see ITFNZ produce competitors that can secure medals at future World Championships.

Which active Taekwon-Do practitioner do you admire the most and why?

I am fortunate that I can think of several people whom I admire, not just one in particular. There are always people who have certain qualities that I admire, either Taekwon-Do related or personal.

In your view how has Taekwon-Do changed in NZ in the last few years?

In my view ITFNZ has become very well organised. In particular, the ITFNZ website presents a very professional image to other ITF countries. Many people all over the world look to the ITFNZ website, especially during World Championships. Also, the good results achieved at World Championships since 2003 has raised ITFNZ’s profile considerably.

What are your favourite hand technique and foot technique?

Favourite hand technique for me would have to be reverse punch to the body. Foot technique would be back kick and reverse turning kick.

What do you think makes a good Taekwon-Do practitioner?

A good person. For instance, as an instructor you may have a student who is shy and has little talent but always turns up for class. For me this can often be more important than a champion.