Taking on the art of taekwondo

By REBECCA GICHANA

Sports help keep you fit. Others are also useful in training one for self-discipline and security. One such sport is taekwondo.

Isaack Wagura, a standard two pupil at Stepping Stone Elementary Primary School in Kitengela, his younger brother Daniel Gitau and cousin Pearl Njambi have joined the sport. According to them, taekwondo helps them feel confident and secure about themselves.

Taekwondo, a Korean martial art combines several elements, among them self-defence, sport and exercise. It pursues more than just fighting skills; some refer to taekwondo as a way of life.

Despite their age, Wagura, Daniel and Pearl who are eight, six and eight years respectively, have learned quite a few taekwondo moves.

In addition, they feel confident that they can protect themselves from any stranger or bully who dares approach them.

"Taekwondo has helped me so much and I thank my parents for helping me join the club," says Wagura.

Pearl, who also comes from the Stepping Stone Elementary Primary School, is in the club. "I usually practise in the house with my cousins Daniel and Isaack. Taekwondo has helped me to gain confidence and strength each day from the lessons I learn," says Njambi.

Daniel says that taekwondo keeps him fit and that is the only sport that interests him.

"Taekwondo is an interesting game and much fun because you learn many things that will help you in the future," says Gitau. Gitau, who is in the scouts club adds that the clubs help him to meet famous people. "I am very happy and I will work harder to excel in taekwondo," he says.