By Tara Choe
For more than a decade, senior Nica Phan has mastered the art of taekwondo with her amazing kicks, hard-core discipline and big heart for what she does, as she conquers those skills one day at a time. It has become part of her identity and has made her appreciate other forms of martial arts throughout her career.
“Right now, I am a second-degree black belt. My master makes me teach lower belt classes to help him and get better for myself. I also go to my classes and recently I got into my Poomsae team at my taekwondo. I go for three hours for four days and because I am on the Poomsae team, five hours now. Saturdays I would practice almost six hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.” said Phan.
Phan has been able to practice multiple forms of martial arts like Poomsae, Shaolin, taekwondo, and recently kickboxing. She intends to continue searching on skills and forms to further her knowledge on the art itself. It has become part of her lifestyle and she associates herself with the activity with pride.
“It is very relaxing to my mind. When I am sad, mad, or whatever I am feel-
ing. I would just want to go to practice. It makes me happy being around that environment. I’ve been with this family for 11 years and they just make me happy.” said Phan.
Phan was inspired by her father at a young age to start taekwondo. She believed she could protect her sisters and dad from anything. Over time, she grew to love taekwondo because it has taught her discipline and hard work.
It has made her the person she is today. Throughout the years she has been able to understand the dedication of improvement by continuing to work at something over and over again. Patience and success are possible which is clearly seen in Phan’s life just from her love of the taekwondo.
“If you really have the motivation to put that time in your life and learn how to defend yourself. I think you should definitely join. If you feel like it is definitely not for you, then don’t waste your time. It takes a lot of commitment.” said Phan.
Phan has a row of first place medals, a second row full of second and third place medals, and many more awards that are specific to a skill. She continues to pursue more as she is only a second-degree black belt. Phan intends on continuing on her path towards the tenth degree black belt.
Phan is also involved in several clubs on campus such as Reach Out and Operation Be Kind and hopes to pursue a career in business. She finds her motivation by seeing what she can improve on daily and always having a positive outlook on the situation.
Phan amazes people with her skills of a roundhouse kick, board breaking and tornado kicks from time to time. She even dealt with people that didn’t agree on what she does. Phan has used that criticism as motivation to improve her martial her skills and become stronger, not only for others but also for herself.
“My advice is to always stay motivated to what you believe in even if people bring you down.” said Phan.
This story was published in the 2019 Red Magazine. Stop by room 306 for a copy.
