The grading process for KLAS Taekwondo held on Saturday is the same as a martial arts exam to test the students to see if they could progress to the next level, Tapunuu  Kaino Thompsen Fuataga says.

The KLAS Taekwondo Head Instructor, in an interview with the Samoa Observer on Saturday, said he was happy to see all his students pass their grading. 

"I am very happy that all his students passed the grading process and also have improved from when they all started which is what it’s all about,” he said. It’s not about perfection, it's all about progression.”

A total of 48 students went through their grading on Saturday which Fuataga says is a good number when compared to when they first started.

“I urge our young ones and also matured generations who are keen to learn this form of martial arts that this is the place to come to,” he said.

Registration with the martial arts club is $50 tala as an annual fee and a $5 fee for every session for those in the junior category and $10 for adults.

The KLAS taekwondo dojo opens Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm - 5pm for juniors, 5pm - 6pm for seniors and Saturdays 9pm - 10:30pm for a combined training session.

Meanwhile KLAS Taekwondo has received a $500 monetary donation from the National Bank of Samoa, which the bank says is to assist the overall development of sports in Samoa.

N.B.S. Senior Marketing Officer, Aialii Anapu, said the rationale behind the bank’s financial donation is to contribute to the taekwondo club to ensure the younger generation, especially students gain knowledge and experience from a very young age and become successful in the martial art.

One of KLAS taekwondo’s senior students Irae Irae, who is currently ranked a blue-belt holder, told the Samoa Observer that he previously loved playing rugby but switched to taekwondo in order to stay fit and only physically and mentally.

"I love learning new techniques everyday from our instructor, and I hope to become a master as well in this form of martial arts known as taekwondo,” Irae says.