Last week, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a session of the AXA ITF TaeKwon-Do. This program specializes in teaching Tae Kwon Do to all who are willing and desire to learn. It is headed by Gregory Permuy, a very impressive young man who is a consummate professional and is highly regarded as a competent instructor and role model for children. Over the years, he has built a reputation for himself as well as program that boasts over 50 members.

Gregory Permuy with his talented students

The facility where he and his students train is located in Rey Hill behind NAPA Auto Parts. The large room is adorned with posters, banners, plaques, and certificates. There is an overall sense of professionalism and dedication to excellence as even the floor is of a professional quality conducive to the training of the martial arts. As I witnessed the students perform to the commands of Gregory, I could see a sense of purpose, focus, and determination. Also observing was Elizabeth Gumbs, whose son is enrolled in the program. She is highly impressed with the program and said, “there is a sense of fun, but there is also discipline as well. The have to concentrate on what they are doing, follow instructions, and perform. The majority, if not everybody is successful.” Her son, Brennan Gumbs, has been enrolled in Gregory’s program for three years and has progressed well moving from a white to a green belt. His successes have prompted him to continue to strive in the martial arts.

I also spoke to two students who represent a wide spectrum. Alex Orchard has been involved in the program for one and a half years and Jelani Banks has been practicing the martial arts for nine years and is considered the top student in the AXA ITF Club. Alex said, “the program is very good and I like it. It focuses on details and specific techniques in martial arts. As there are many subtleties in this discipline, I am pleased that Gregory teaches them and promotes mastery of learning. The program has helped me out a lot and I have definitely seen improvement since I signed up. Gregory is good, he knows his stuff, and if there is something he cannot answer, he defers to his instructors based out of Jamaica.” Jelani Banks is well known on Anguilla, and is one of the best in the AXA ITF TaeKwon-Do. He has been training with Gregory for four years and plans to use the arts to train and better himself. Jelani is preparing to test for second degree black belt. Also, Samuel Peabody is one of the top students and he is currently preparing to test for 1st degree black belt next month.

All classes are divided up by ability level and there is a wide range of students. There are children as young as four years of age to adults in their late thirties. Gregory Permuy has been training in Tae Kwon Do since 1997 and began this school in Anguilla in July 2001 after he returned from university in Jamaica where he received a degree in architecture. Besides just teaching, he also sets high goals for his students in program. He and some select students actively participate in tournaments and have competed in places such as Jamaica, Puerto Rico and New York. Normally, seven to eight people will travel to tournaments and typically, seven to nine trophies are brought back to Anguilla. All in all, Gregory said that the students to fairly decent and he plans to continue to travel. The next tournament will actually be in Queens, New York. Gregory, in terms of the goals, mentioned, “for the short term goals, I want to get the children off the streets and give them something productive to do, learn some discipline, and respect themselves and others. For the long term, I would like to see the club compete in World Championships, make Anguilla proud, and put forth some great martial artists”

Mr. Permuy is a third degree black belt and he explained that there are nine degrees in total. Up to the seventh degree, it is very physical and you must show activity in terms of teaching. The eighth and ninth levels are mostly centred on one’s dedication and input into the industry. Gregory is currently training to become a fourth degree black belt and he mentioned that this particular exam will include a written thesis.
His club is formally aligned and supported by the International Tae Kwon Do federation and all of his teaching certificates and proof of training are on the walls of the facility. This aspect not only makes him a credible instructor, but it gives the children something to work towards as well. Gregory also mentioned that next week the students will be taking exams and are therefore training very hard to prepare.
If anyone is interested in signing up, Gregory asks that you stop by his facility and obtain a registration form. He is there on Mondays and Fridays from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. I think the work he is doing is monumental. Involvement in the martial arts obviously promotes discipline, hard work, and respect. I encourage any and all people living in Anguilla to get involved with this worthwhile endeavour.

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