mia wong 
1st dan | march 2025

2022 was when I started taekwondo, covid cases finally decreasing I found myself bored and unfit; I wanted a hobby. I chose taekwondo because of mum, as it used to be a sport she did, and I also wanted to learn how to protect myself. I also just wanted to maintain my flexibility, because during covid I didn’t move much; I was short and weak, however now I am still short just less weak.

Since day one I was a nervous wreck, so I would be lying if I said I am confident for this grading. I don’t really remember my trial class, but I bet I was even more nervous then, compared to now.

I’ve never done martial arts before, the only thing that was close to it, was probably kicking my mum, when she held her mitt, trying to teach me how to kick. Now, I know so many different techniques and skills to protect myself and use to scare my friends.

To be honest, I don’t even remember much of what happened the past three years. Time flew by so quickly, I grew so much, mentally and physically but not in height.

Couple months after joining taekwondo, I joined poomsae trainings, only knowing the first three patterns, basic, 1 and 2. I was only able to improve in my patterns thanks to the masters teaching me repeatedly because I would easily forget.

Poomsae taught me that humans aren’t going to perfect at something immediately, it takes time and patience to improve. Everyone learns at a different pace, it may take some time for others while some are quick to learn, but as long as there is improvement it doesn’t matter if you are taking baby steps.

Competing opened many new opportunities for me, it allowed me to meet new people, explore new possibilities and it also changed me. Last year I started sparring, which was very unexpected because my first sparring
week had me leaving in tears. Training was intense, sweaty, smelly, and excessive. My whole week consisted of taekwondo, school and work. As much as I hated it, I also enjoyed it, because there was always something different each week. Sadly, I had to stop as I am currently in year 11, with schoolwork building up I would need
more time to study.

Sparring taught me to manage my time better, like balancing school life with other activities. It also taught me to keep on fighting and that giving up wouldn’t solve anything.

Even though some days I wanted to give up, I didn’t, I wanted to feel a sense of accomplishment. What also made me stay was the family like community at Weiwu. The masters created a strong bond with the students. I remember observing the master’s and students making jokes with one another, laughing hysterically, those
moments made training memorable.

Joining taekwondo was my escape from everything that was going on at school or home, it also makes a great conversation stater. It allowed me to space out as I watch the sunset, it also drained out my extra energy.

Something that I have learnt from taekwondo is to be persistent, to achieve goals in life you have to keep on trying, it’s alright to fail, just learn from your mistakes and make improvements.

These past three years there has been so much change because of my decision to join taekwondo. I am so thankful for everyone who has entered my life.

I want to say thank you to masters for patiently teaching and trying to perfect my techniques in poomsae and sparring. Thanks for taking me to training when I was an “abandoned child”. Thanks for teaching me my patterns, even when I look like I’m hating everything.
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I am also very thankful for my parents, driving me to and from taekwondo even though they are busy. I am so grateful that you both support my choices and provide me with endless opportunities.

I have loved every moment created at taekwondo and cannot wait to make some more.