LARISSA
Taekwondo has allowed me to cultivate the value of discipline. During training, I am required to have the discipline and focus to learn the patterns. This was very important when preparing for the NSG Competition. My teammates and I had to be responsible enough to ensure that we were practicing without being told as the coaches could not attend to everyone at the same time. Hence, I developed the value of discipline and am now able to apply this value to other aspects of my life, like in my studies.
Taekwondo has also helped me to gain more confidence in myself. During preparation for the competition, we had to perform our pattern in front of others as a practice. Although it was very nerve wreaking at first, I was able to overcome this fear and felt more confident in the end. As I advance through the belt levels, I am also able to slowly gain more confidence in my own abilities.
Taekwondo has also helped me build resilience, sometimes the training may be difficult and tiring, where I felt physically exhausted. However, with the coaches’ encouragement and advice, I am able to continue and not give up. Through this, I am able to learn how to be resilient and to persist even when things may be challenging.
Taekwondo has also taught me the importance of respect. During training, I have been taught to respect my coaches and my peers. For example, when sparring with one another, my peers and I would treat each other with respect and we would bow to each other properly, and also ensure that even while we have fun when we spar, we would be mindful and not hurt the other.
Finally, Taekwondo has helped me improve my physical fitness. Through weekly trainings that we have I am able to get sufficient exercise. At the start when I first started my stamina was bad and I was
inflexible. However, after starting Taekwondo, my stamina has improved and am more flexible. It has helped me stay fit, become stronger and healthier too.
Taekwondo has benefitted me in many aspects of my life and allowed me to learn new values as well.
