Members of the three disciplined forces in action at the Unarmed Combat Academy at 
the RFMF.

Fifteen Corrections’ officers were today awarded with Red Belt certificates after successfully completing the four-month Unarmed Combat Hapkido course.

The 15 along with 67 police officers and 10 soldiers are being trained at the Unarmed Combat Hapkido Academy.

Today saw relatives and friends gathering at the RFMF to witness demonstrations by participants, which they had learnt throughout the course.

Twenty-three-year-old Ulamila Drauna, who is based at the Labasa Corrections Centre said undergoing hapkido with a majority being males was a challenge.

“I am happy with today’s achievements because what I have learnt will be very useful in my line of duty, particularly self-defense,” Drauna said.

Deputy Corrections Commissioner Akuila Namakadre said it was important that the officers maintain their discipline and are mentally and physically fit.

“The training is crucial since self-defence is relevant in their daily work,” he said.

“We are proud of this achievement as it lifts the image of the Fiji Corrections Service and brings us up to par with the military and the Fiji Police Force in terms of unarmed combat,” Namakadre added.

Hapkido is the Korean art of self-defense which uses circular motion and joint locks, among others, to cause minimal damage to the opponent.

Some of the basic techniques to attain Red Belt include kicking styles, kick defense, cross hand on top wrist techniques and choke defense. 

www.corrections.org.fj