Peter Lue's now a master

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

ACCOLADES have been pouring in for Jamaica Taekwondo's Peter Lue after the 35-year martial arts veteran attained the rank of International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) master, making him the top man from that organisation in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Lue, who started practising martial arts at age 14, became the region's first ITF master over the weekend of October 2-3, successfully grading for seventh degree in the Dominican Republic - 21 years after he started tae kwon do.

Among those singing Lue's praises is Tony Robinson, a sixth-degree black belt, who holds the title of Jun Shihan in Seido Karate.

Robinson, himself a veteran with 40 years as a martial artist, said the feat could not have been attained by a better man.

"I personally feel very proud for Peter," said Robinson. "He never stopped training. He is very dedicated and also very humble. It's really a good thing for martial arts in Jamaica and the Caribbean region as a whole.

speaks volumes

"It doesn't matter which art, all martial arts. The one goal, basically, is discipline. That's the worth of a true martial artist, discipline and dedication," Robinson pointed out.

Robinson said having a master of a particular art speaks volume of the standard of martial arts practised.

"It's a wonderful achievement for the martial arts community, whether kung fu, karate or tae kwon do, it augurs well for the future of martial arts. It shows that we, as a country, are recognised worldwide as mature and disciplined martial artists."

Under Lue's tutorage, Jamaica has produced more than 100 black belts. He also moulded the Jamaica Taekwondo Association as the strongest in the Caribbean and as a major player in the Pan Am region.

Many of Jamaica's top martial artists from the combined team and Jamaica Taekwondo started under the watchful eyes of Lue.

With his promotion to ITF master, a seventh degree, Lue can now grade students to as high as third-degree black belt, cutting back on overseas travel for promotion.

Was not easy

However, he said it was not easy in the Dominican Republic where he saw others fail.

Lue said an American also graded for master but stopped during the process.

"He just didn't remember the technique," Lue pointed out. "You have to turn up physically prepared. You don't know if you're going to do sparring, breaking or whatever. It has to do with training. You have to be training and teaching. Wherever you're teaching, you have to be contributing," he added.

His ambition was always to become a master, but Lue said his achievement was for every Jamaican practising tae kwon do.

Robinson said all local martial artists now have Lue as an icon.

"It's a good sign for the youngsters to look up to and say, 'I can achieve that'. Many start and fall by the wayside. For somebody to stick it out, all these years, and achieve such a lofty post, it is a good thing."

Lue said he was aware of his new role and its importance to local martial arts.

"I feel good about it. When I went to grade, I didn't grade for myself, I had on my shoulders everybody who do tae kwon do in Jamaica. It's not an accomplishment for Peter Lue," he pointed out.