Shameless Mommy Brag (Taekwondo)

[Butter]

My oldest son and daughter have been in Orlando this week for the ATA Fall Nationals.  They've never competed outside of a local zero stress intra-school tournament.  They are actually there to collar test (first level toward becoming instructors) tomorrow morning.  It was requested that they compete since they'd be there anyway.  Neither one likes competing much, but they agreed.  This is their only chance to compete while still colored belts.  They'll be testing for first degree in December (Cameron is already the last belt before first degree, Ani will be testing for that one on Friday).  Most of the people in their rings have competed at higher levels multiple times before.

 

Ani entered forms and combat sparring.  She came in 4th for both.  She is so proud of herself.

 

Cameron entered forms and regular sparring.  He came in 4th or 5th for forms.  He got first in sparring!

 

(Our instructor - who is a fourth degree - got first in sparring and first in xtreme forms.)

 

The confidence those two kids have gotten from taekwondo is incredible.  Earlier this week they were helping at a seminar for instructors and a picture was posted on Facebook of Ani, a red belt, leading a mini-class of all black belts, many of whom are chief instructors at their schools, because she is familiar with the program that was being taught in that seminar.  She leads classes of all ages and teaches people with kindness and skill.  Her goal is to own her own school one day and be chief instructor.  I have no doubt she will do it.  Cameron hasn't decided if that's the direction he wants to go in.  He loves taekwondo, but not quite as much as his sister does.  If he choose that path, they have talked about working together.  Their relationship is so different thanks to taekwondo.  The shared interest has made them so much closer.  People at TKD are always complimenting us on those two kids and thanking them for what they do.  It's one thing to be proud of your kids.  It's a whole other level when other people recognize what they do and their amazingness, too.

[ashfern]

:hurray:

[JadeOrchidSong]

My two boys love martial arts Shaolin Kenpo. They are very motivated. Dh started over a month ago with the same instructors. We all love our classes and instructors!

So glad to see your dd is so passionate about TKD. I would love to have your dc to instruct us!

[arliemaria]

I love your post Butter!  I joined TKD after being bullied and also being struck by a car.  The injury to my ankle made me take a "break" from gymnastics.  I began TKD as a way to stay conditioned without as much pressure on my ankle from tumbling, etc.  TKD was a Godsend to me.  I competed nationally in high school and it gave me a great amount of self esteem.  I instructed at a state university while my fiancee and later husband was finishing his bachelor's degree.

I have not practiced in quite a long time, but it is still there for me.  It was my family.  My son is now six and I think about it nearly every day about when and where we'll join.

[Catwoman]

That's so cool, Heather!!! :hurray:

 

I tried to give your thread 5 stars, but I must have accidentally bumped the fourth star instead, and now it won't let me change the rating. Sorry about that! (I wanted to let you know I did it so you weren't wondering why someone would only give you four stars. :blush:) I hope someone will bump this thread up to 5 for me!

[Sugarfoot]

That's great!!!  :hurray:

 

My older two went through the ATA leadership program and are 2nd degree black belts. They are the best of friends.

 

Congratulations to your kiddos!

[trulycrabby]

That's wonderful! Congratulations!