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Friday, March 31, 2006

Taekwondo Demands Discipline

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Instructor Chan Ho Kim holds a wooden board, which he “bought from Home Depot,” between his hands.

With a swift kick, young Kayla Collins snaps it in two.

“You have believe, be confident, or you’re never going to break it,” Collins said.

If you think that’s impressive, 11-year old Collins is the Taekwondo state champion and is ranked fourth in the world!

But according to Kim, who is also a world champion, winning is not everything.

“You need to enjoy the competition, if lose, you lose.  You need to have a happy face!”

That big ole grin on Collins began at seven years old when she started practicing Taekwondo.

To some, Collins and martial arts can be surprising.

“She’s so quiet, so humble.  It’s shocking!” Kim said.  “You say, she learned Taekwondo? She’s so humble!”

Collins comes across very mature for her age, and realizes that Taekwondo makes kids, like herself, into well-rounded individuals.

She believes that children behave better at home and believe in themselves more.

In addition to her own training, Collins makes sure that other students follow her lead.  Since she is also an instructor.

The Taekwondo season begins in June with the first competition in Little Rock, Ark.

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