How Learning A Martial Art Form Goes Way Beyond Self-defence

Martial art is something which goes way beyond self-defense. I am 24-year-old Simran Chowdhury, a taekwondo coach, building a career in martial arts and sports in India. Today, I am teaching Taekwondo - a free-fighting combat sport to my students at the school.

My interest in sports started as a Kho-Kho player when I got selected for my school team. I also won many awards and accolades in yoga and high jump during my school days. When I was in 8th grade, I began learning Taekwondo, and then there was no looking back. It all began when my mother once said that girls should be trained in self-defence, no matter what. That’s how I decided to learn and master the art of Taekwondo.

Learning Taekwondo

The journey was certainly not easy for me. There were many who said sports and games are not for women, what will happen if I break my hand or leg, I will not find a groom,  will never have a stable career, and many more. Despite all the criticism, my family had always supported and accompanied me in all the tournaments. My constant support is my elder sister. She has been my biggest cheerleader, and my guide during all the struggles I had to undergo while making a career in sports.

The finals of the National Taekwondo Championship was on the day of my final semester exam, but that did not deter me. I won the championship and passed my graduation too with excellent grades. Recently, I won Gold in the Taekwondo district championship organized by the Bengal Taekwondo Association.

I completed the course for National Referee Coach this year and plan to pursue the course for International Referee Coach now. Today, I can be a referee at any national Taekwondo tournament across the country.

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I continue to learn and teach my students with an aim to ensure that every single one of them can master the art, make a career in sports, and live their life with courage and self-confidence. The school has been my constant support and has given me a platform to impart my knowledge to tomorrow’s future enabling them to be self-reliant and independent.

Simran Chowdhury is a Taekwondo teacher in Orchids The International School, Newtown, Kolkata. The views expressed are the author's own.