neil taneja
1st poom | november 2024

Hi, my name is Neil. I started learning Taekwondo when I was almost 6 years old, and it has been amazing so far. At first, I joined because I thought it looked cool when people broke boards and did high kicks in movies. But slowly I got to learn that Taekwondo is much more than that.

It was hard in the beginning, and I was scared. I couldn’t even do a proper kick or remember all the moves. My instructors and parents always told me, “Practice makes perfect,” so I practiced a lot, and my teachers helped me understand step by step. My teachers told me stuff that I thought was beyond my limits. Slowly, I got better at my punches, kicks, and stances. When I earned my first belt, a yellow one, I felt so proud!

Taekwondo has taught me more than just how to defend myself. It has taught me discipline and respect. We bow to our instructors. This reminds me to be polite not only in class but everywhere.

One of my favorite parts of Taekwondo is sparring. It’s like a friendly fight where we use our moves and try to score points. At first, I was scared, but now I love it because it makes me feel strong and confident.

I’ve also made great friends in Taekwondo class. We help each other learn and cheer at each
other.

Taekwondo is not just a sport for me; it is a way to grow stronger, both in body and mind. I’m excited and thankful to my teachers for their guidance and patience towards me. Today I am here only with my teachers help.