By Ethan Benedicto
A Berwick Secondary College student brought home gold after winning in his category at the Haidong Gumdo World Championships in South Korea.
Held between 26-28 July at Jeju Island, 16-year-old Maxwell Montieth was part of the 22 Australian representatives among the 1500 participants, as the event marked the first championships since the pandemic.
Now known as one of the first Victorians to compete at the World Championships in Korea, Max was initially unsure of his performance, saying that there was never a moment “I actually thought I was going to win”.
“Even when I made it to the third round I was still thinking I was going to lose.
“But the support I had around me certainly helped, everyone was there to support me and even though I still had the thought [of losing] in the back of my head, I wanted to bring gold back to my family and I just kind of fell into that mindset,” he said.
Through excellent swordsmanship, grit and the echoes of his peers’ encouragements, Max advanced to the final round where he prevailed against the competition.
According to James Heenan, master of Heenan Taekwondo, Max, who belonged in the under-18s brown belt category ranked first after the initial gumbup, or forms category.
After showcasing various cuts, strikes, blocks and stances, Max became the top-ranking competitor among 12 others and was set to take on the 12th-ranked individual in an elimination tourney.
“We’re very lucky because I mean, Australia came first, equal to South Korea which is a first time ever,” James said.
Preparation for the tournament was nothing short of strenuous for Max, with school still being a priority, practice usually happened during late nights, with special sessions with Grandmaster Jung-Il Oh on Tuesdays.
The president of Haidong Gumdo Oceania, Grandmaster Jung-Il Oh visited Heenan Taekwondo to train the Australian competitors, something that Max took advantage of leading up to the championships.
His training paid off, and even as the gold medal weighs heavy on his neck, the feat to Max is still unbelievable; however, a new sense of confidence is within him.
James commended Max’s abilities during the two-day competition retreat, with the wooden swords, called bokken, used for sparring usually heavier with more drag compared to their steel counterparts.
“When you get a timber sword, it’s like picking up a tennis racket, you just have to make it work for you.
“If you get an official sword, which is assigned to you, it’s meant to suit you.
“You don’t get a sword until you’re a black belt so you have to make the sword work for you when you’re on the timber ones,” James said.
With no grips, no sheet or sheath, less balance, more weight and more air displacement, James was nothing short of impressed with Max’s performance.
As for the key tips he received during the lead-up to the final match, keeping his breathing in check was of utmost importance, with Max taking long breaths to maintain focus.
Max, who has been training with the sword for just under two years, said that the experience of learning has been amazing, and much of it has to do with the community around it.
“I think it teaches you discipline, perseverance and integrity, and I think others should dive in and give it a try,” he said.
Also a taekwondo practitioner, Max said he was looking forward of heading to Brisbane later this year to compete, saying “I have this newfound confidence”.
“I’ve only ever competed in interstate club tournaments, which is just a couple of clubs meeting and now I’m going to Brisbane Nationals.
“My parents said I should and since I’ve won gold in Haidong Gumdo, I’m going to do great,” he said.
