On December 16^th, 2006, the spectators at American TaeKwonDo Centers Inc. were treated with a gallant and magnificent example of the strength and spirit of TaeKwonDo.  In order to raise money for charity and gifts of toys for the less fortunate, Master Konrad Spillmann 7^th Dan Black Belt attempted to beat his previously held world record in block breaking.

 

Master Spillmann’s first goal which is dear to his heart was to raise as much money as possible for St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research Hospital. Cancer took one of his staff member’s life in 2000, and because of such research two of his own students have survived cancer.  His second target was to collect as many toys for the Toys for Tots organization as he and his California (Aliso Viejo, Corona, Long Beach) locations could, so that less fortunate children may have a brighter Christmas than they would have had otherwise.  In both these endeavors, he was more than successful.  The organization raised thousands of dollars for St. Jude’s (more than other previous martial art fundraisers) and hundreds of toys to donate to the children.

Master Spillmann’s third goal was more of a challenge within himself.  In 1998, he broke his previously standing world record in block breaking by breaking 200 blocks in 47.9 seconds.  On December 16^th, 2006, he was attempting to obliterate that record.  After stating to all students and local businesses that the more money that was raised, the more blocks he would break, he ended up raising thousands; but the blessing could have been a curse as it would require him to break over 6000 lbs of concrete or over 400 blocks.

 

The local concrete company delivered five pallets of concrete and it took several hours to set up all the concrete blocks. His final tally was 411 blocks broken.

 

The support Master Spillmann received from his instructors and students was phenomenal in itself.  The family oriented centers from Aliso Viejo, Corona and Long Beach all pulled together to show their support by not only helping to raise funds and toys for the children, but also by emotionally supporting their Master through what had to be one of the toughest challenges of strength, perseverance and determination.