Master of Taekwondo
By Maikel Liem
Photos by Yao Fan

来自韩国的跆拳道是一种拳脚并用的艺术方法, 被称为"脚的艺术". 它动作敏捷、准确灵活、来势凶猛, 以东方心灵为土壤, "始于礼, 终礼". 跆拳道还是一种精巧的形体艺术和健身方法, 厦门健将体育运动馆馆长, 跆拳道黑带七段阙建生将带领您在舒畅的呐喊和搏击中体会跆拳道独特的魅力.

Tae Kwon Do is enjoying a rapid growth in popularity in China.

But where in Xiamen can one go if they are interested in this sport? In fact, Xiamen is home to one of the leading experts in Tae Kwon Do, Master Jiansheng Que. Located behind the Hongshan Park waterfall, Master Que's Dojo has all the atmosphere of a scene from a kung fu movie.


Four-year-old freshman

A long time resident of Chongqing, Que has moved to Xiamen to open up his school. He graduated from the Department of Physical Education at Chongqing University, and he has been practicing Tae Kwon Do for more than 30 years. He started at the tender age of six and now has a 7th degree black belt. He is currently chairman of the World Tae Kwon Do Association (WTA) and from 1985-1991 he was the Asia-Pacific Boxing Competition championship.

Mr. Que's Xiamen dojo, Master Sportsman Tae Kwon Do, is one of three schools with a total attendance of 2300 students. The Xiamen school was opened in 2000, the same year Master Que became a permanent resident of Xiamen. His main goal has always been to promote Tae Kwon Do in China and spread the sport's popularity.


Senior students

According to Mr. Que, Tae Kwon Do is a sport which is suitable for all ages. Moreover, the different levels are clearly defined and (he remarks with a smile) the white suits look very charming. Also, the sport teaches a great deal of respect, as each class begins with a formal greeting and ends with one.

Xiamen has been Mr. Que's home for five years. The reason he moved from Chongqing to Xiamen was because of better living conditions in this city. He is quite happy with his students here, since their achievement level is high and they show a great deal of interest in the sport. He also believes that Xiamen people are a bit more civilized and considerate compared to other cities.


Spinning kicks

Master Que notes that many foreigners in Xiamen are interested in Tae Kwon Do and have begun to practice in his dojo. Some foreigners who are experts in Tae Kwon Do come to his classes to brush up on their skills.

Of course there is always room for improvement, and Mr. Que suggests that both official and civil Tae Kwon Do associations should be established in Xiamen. Also, competitions should be held more regularly (only three have been held in the city so far) and the judges should act fairly. Master Que believes the future is bright for Tae Kwon Do. Some of his students have used his teachings to further their careers and become excellent students at Police Officer College. Furthermore, one of his top students defeated the provincial Tae Kwon Do champion in 2003.


Outdoor training

Finally, according to Master Que, Tae Kwon Do is more fashionable than any other martial art and is in conformity with modern civilization, having a well-established system and well-organized actions and, consequently, a promising future.

Health Garden

HK scientists find clue to aging process
香港科学家诠释人衰老过程
Scientists in Hong Kong have shed new light on why cell repair is less efficient in older people following a breakthrough discovery about progeria, a rare genetic disease that affects one in four million babies. Progeria, or premature aging appears in a child before it is one year old. Like old people, children with the disease suffer stiff joints and a buildup of plaque in arteries, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Most die of cardiovascular diseases before they are 20. A protein called Lamin A was found to disrupt the repair process in cells, thus resulting in accelerated aging.



Snoring in children linked to hyperactivity
打鼾可能使孩子活动过度
New US research reveals that children who snore are more likely to develop attention and hyperactivity problems at a later stage than those who don't. Exactly how snoring may lead to hyperactivity is not clear. One of the reasons could be that oxygen levels during the night are lowered repeatedly every time the throat closes. Or, sleep disruption may lead directly to the hyperactivity.



Stroke becomes No. 2 killer in China
中风成为中国人健康2号杀手
Stroke has become China's number two lethal disease and number one cause of disability. Stroke has a sudden onset. The most common variety is caused by blood clots or weak blood flow leading to lack of oxygen or insufficient nutrients to the brain. Another cause of stroke is the bursting of blood vessels inside the brain, leading to massive hemorrhage inside the brain and its periphery. After a stroke, brain cells die rapidly due to lack of oxygen or sufficient nutrients. At the same time, the bodily functions controlled by these dying brain cells begin to deteriorate, sometimes resulting in the death of the patient.

Vitamin C does little to fight colds
维C治感冒效用不大
Researchers looking at studies over the past 65 years found no conclusive evidence that Vitamin C really shortens or prevents colds. Most studies showed that Vitamin C didn't help people who waited until after the onset of symptoms to take the vitamin, although one large study found that patients who took 8,000 mg on the first day of their illness became better faster. When people, especially children, took Vitamin C before they became sick, the illness didn't last as long. Vitamin C seems to work best for people whose bodies are exposed to large amounts of physical stress.

Vocabulary
progeria 早衰
plaque 血小板
hyperactivity 活动过度
disruption 中断
hypertension 高血压病
periphery 周边