CORNELL FIGHT TEAM WINS 1ST PLACE AT PRINCETON!
On March 8, the Cornell Taekwondo team, commonly referred to as Cornell Fight Team, competed against Princeton, Harvard, New York University, and other institutions in a martial arts tournament at Princeton’s Dillon Gym. The tournament was the fourth of the 2019-2020 season. It consisted of two forms of competition: poomsae and sparring. Poomsaes, or forms, are patterns of striking and defense performed in front of judges. Meanwhile, sparring is a fight that takes place in a controlled environment. Points are earned by successfully advancing to the next round. Cornell took first place at the tournament, earning 512 points.
As a competitor for the Cornell Taekwondo team, I am proud of the hard work my teammates and I put into preparing for this tournament. In many ways, sports are a metaphor for life. One must be disciplined, dedicated, and focused across time in order to maximize their chances of success. Nothing in life is guaranteed, however, and I was fully aware of this in the moments leading up to my sparring match. As the fight approached, I put on my headphones and began listening to music that motivated and inspired me from childhood until now. Songs like Lose Yourself by Eminem, Believe by Meek Mill, and Leave a Light On by Tom Walker pulsed through my soul as I warmed up.
In any high stakes moment, it is important not to freeze up due to uncertainty but to walk boldly into the unknown. I was never afraid of getting injured, yet, I was terrified of losing. As the match drew near, I contemplated my life. I thought about my belief in myself, my belief in God, and my journey to Cornell. I reflected with gratitude on my team, my friends, my supporters, and my family. My father introduced me to taekwondo when I was nine years old. Martial arts is, perhaps, the greatest gift a father could give to his son.
Before long, I was standing across the ring from my opponent. He had a bit of a reach advantage, however, it would not matter. Immediately after the referee rang the proverbial bell, I closed the distance and landed devastating strikes on my opponent. Front kick! Left hook! Right hook! Front kick! Side kick! Roundhouse kick! Less than twelve seconds into the fight, I knocked down my opponent. To the surprise of many, he rose to his feet and survived the remainder of the first round.
As I walked back to my corner, I was exhausted. My coach, Sandra, provided me with tips on how to improve my performance in the next round. I tried my best to pay attention, however, it was difficult to do so while also focusing on regulating my breathing. I remembered those tough sparring sessions I endured as a kid and how I was taught to put my arms over my head in order to allow more air to get to my lungs. I looked across the ring and sensed my opponent was tired too. I stood out of my chair and it was time to fight again.
“Bait him out!” I heard Sandra yell.
I took her advice, waiting for an opportunity to strike. My rival provided me with such an opportunity and I answered it with a hard kick. The match went on.
“Thirty seconds!” I heard someone yell.
I sensed my lead on the scoreboard was dwindling. I had to secure victory. I ran in and threw a flying side kick, which my opponent sidestepped. I immediately followed up with a series of kicks and punches that put him down for a second time.
I backed up and kept my eyes locked on my opponent, expecting him to rise again. He was unable to do so, and I won the fight by second round knockout. It was an honor competing on behalf of this historic institution alongside such talented martial artists.
