Indomitable pg 9 7-21-11
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Esteemed Visitor
Top: Song-Ki Kim signs a board for a student. Linda Lemmon photo. Above: Quest Martial Arts Center students pose with the grandmaster. Courtesy photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- Putnam welcomed an international treasure in the world of martial arts --- and spirit --- last week when Song-Ki-Kim, grandmaster of World Dang-soo-do Union visited the Quest Martial Arts Center.
Putnam was one of only a slim dozen visits by the grandmaster world wide.
Promoting the Dang way of life, the grandmaster said the local students were "so impressive. There are so many and they have so much enthusiasm."
Center owner Mike Bogdanski called Song Ki Kim a great role model. He is always aspiring to be better, even after practicing 60 years. "It's neverending," Bogdanski said.
Song Ki Kim, from Korea, trained under very tough conditions when he was younger and possesses an "indomitable spirit," Bogdanski said.
He called him an international treasure. For his part Song Ki Kim called Bogdanski a treasure to the town. He added he's "very impressed" with Bogdanski's work. "This school contributes to the community," he added.
Bogdanski said he started Dang in 1974 and is a 7th degree.
He's competed and traveled all over the world.
He believes in the grandmaster's style. "It's best for health and for character building."
It is not just skills, Bogdanski said, but mind and virtue.
Bogdanski and business partner Kristin Duethorn said that the international affiliation with Dang helps make the world a smaller place.
Song Ki Kim's translator said "We're all educators in a way. We're all the same."
Duethorn said the students might be all wrapped up in computer games, but this was a real opportunity to meet someone extraordinary, face-to-face. "They get to see the indomitable spirit. It's the opportunity of a lifetime."
Song Ki Kim said "artists never retire."