Some students step on the mat with years of experience under their belts. Others were learning movements they had never done before. Yet when practice began, the differences seemed to disappear. On the mat, experience levels may vary, but the expectation stays the same: pay attention, stay disciplined and be ready to learn. That is the culture of the USF Taekwondo Club.
The room was filled with teamwork, friendliness and patience. Members played games together, worked through drills and encouraged one another throughout practice. When someone fell, a hand was there to help them up. When someone mastered a skill, their teammates celebrated with them. Across all levels of experience, accomplishments were recognized.
Second-year economics and politics major Charish Holland started Taekwondo during her first year at USF. After trying several martial arts, she chose Taekwondo because she felt she received the most “quality coaching.”
More experienced members worked alongside newer students, while Master David offered corrections and encouragement. For beginners who may feel intimidated by the sport, Master David emphasizes that there is no specific level a person needs to reach before they can become strong: “The only thing you need is to be disciplined.”
While members may enter the club with different levels of experience, discipline remains a common expectation. Practice requires students to listen, repeat techniques and continue working even when a skill does not come easily. Across both practices, that resilience was evident in the way members approached each drill and encouraged one another to keep going.
For some members, that dedication has been part of their lives for years. Safety Officer Rekha Murthy has practiced Taekwondo since first grade, but joining USF’s Taekwondo Club gave her a new perspective on the martial art she had grown up with. At her studio back home, Murthy said Taekwondo had sometimes felt like a chore. At USF, however, becoming more involved in the club helped her develop a greater appreciation for the martial art — and find a community within it. President Kaelin Chan has practiced Taekwondo for 13 years, but USF’s Taekwondo Club gave her an alternative angle on the martial art as well. For a long time, Taekwondo was Chan’s entire life. It was “all [she] knew and all [she] did.” At USF, however, Taekwondo gave her a confidence boost, a place to be herself and a place to help others.
That sense of community was echoed by other members. Murthy found an “amazing team” through the club, while new member, first-year communications major Lindsay Nicolas described Taekwondo as a source of balance. First-year neuroscience major Amina Butaeva found resilience that extends beyond the mat, helping her approach not only the physical challenges of Taekwondo but also the mental challenges of everyday life.
Although members come to Taekwondo with different backgrounds, the club provides a shared space to learn, challenge themselves and support one another. For some, it is a continuation of something they have practiced for most of their lives. For others, it is an opportunity to try something entirely new.
To anyone considering joining but feeling nervous, Holland has a simple piece of advice: “Your biggest regret will be not trying.” Master David offers another way to look at it: “You have nothing to lose.” Across the practices I attended, members described the club as beginner-friendly, patient, welcoming and friendly. On the mat, those qualities were easy to see: regardless of experience level, everyone was given the space to learn, improve and keep showing up.
