Mr. Andrew obtained his Black Belt on August 15, 2020 after 6 years of training at the age of 16. He is the first student from our school to obtain his black belt starting all the way from white belt. Andrew started other martial arts before practicing Taekwon-Do, and it wasn’t until a few years later when he realized how passionate he was for the art and how much he was getting from it.
Andrew is a great example of what it means to have Perseverance, because during his journey he has gone trough so much between his personal responsibilities and the sport that at one point he almost gave up for good. Staying at home without doing Taekwon-Do and missing his true friends, he realized that his life is not complete anymore without his training and partners. When he returned, he came back with more commitment than ever, he became a great example to the other students at the Dojang, a great athlete, a mentor and a great assistant.
These are some of the benefits of what Taekwon-Do and a school like DO-Martial Arts can do for your children but you need to be at the class to admire it, understand it and respect it.
We asked Mr. Andrew a few questions about his Taekwon-Do career so far and this is what he had to say. This is his Biography:
What age did you start practicing Taekwon-Do?
9 years old
Where did you start practicing Taekwon-Do?
DO-Martial Arts
Why did you choose ITF Taekwon-Do?
Because I wasn’t motivated to do any type of martial arts and my instructor convinced me that it will be different and I will enjoy it.
Who supported you in your training?
My sister, my instructor, my friends and masters.
What do you like the most about Taekwon-Do?
The feeling of knowing you are improving when the injuries stop hurting and training becomes more complex and simpler at the same time.
When did you achieve your Black Belt?
On August 15, 2020 after 6 years of training.
Now that you are black belt, why you continue training?
Because I’m in love with Taekwon-Do and is part of my life.
What are your goals in ITF Taekwon-Do?
To one day train or at least participate in the World Cups and Nationals and get that experience.
What are your goals in life?
I will like to do kick boxing and to show the world that Taekwon-Do is one of the best martial arts out there if you have the correct instructor. I will like to use Taekwon-Do to become a stunt double, teach Taekwon-Do on other schools and spread the art by seminars and private trainings around the nation.
Any advice for those training in Taekwon-Do?
Taekwon-Do is not a sport or an exercise, Taekwon-Do is a way of living. you don’t necessarily have to live, breath and eat Taekwon-Do to be good but Taekwon-Do can be very unforgiving and you have to always keep pushing forward even though it may hurt. Taekwon-Do is going to help you later in life because eventually Taekwon-Do become addictive and Taekwon-Do is your best friend emotionally, mentality and physically. When you have a bad day, Taekwon-Do is there to make you feel better, when you are stress out from school and other things in life, Taekwon-Do is there to let your stress out and eventually Taekwon-Do can be a therapy. Taekwon-Do teaches you how to keep moving forward and push yourself above the limits. That even though in the beginning it may seems simple and boring to follow, later trough training, your love and your motivation for Taekwon-Do will increase.
“Taekwon-Do is the most painful and painless martial arts” What I mean by that is, in the beginning of Taekwon-Do everything hurts, but as you continue, the pain become part of you.
