Photo by: Darcy Kimmich

Darcy Kimmich, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Denver, has been involved in Taekwondo since she was a little girl.

Now, she has the opportunity to compete in the 2004 Olympics in Greece.

Kimmich is a member of a collegiate Taekwondo team. In 2003, she and the team competed in the World University Games in Degu, Korea. Kimmich won a silver medal.

This June, she and a team of 16 will travel to Patra, Greece, where they will compete in the 8th World University Taekwondo Championship.

She is also in the running for being selected for the Olympic Taekwondo team. Taekwondo became an official Olympic sport in 2000.

Each country is allowed four athletes, two male and two female. Kimmich, who trains two to three hours a day, six days a week, hopes to be one of the two female athletes.

Kimmich began Taekwondo when she was seven years old, in an attempt to learn self defense.

“It’s good for everyone to have a self-defense base,” said Kimmich.

She fell in love with the sport, despite its difficulty, and continues her dedication today. She is now a third-degree black belt.

She wants to eradicate the myth that Taekwondo is simply mindless fighting.

She wants people to realize that it involves strategy and it is not just beating people up. Kimmich also asserts that Taekwondo is a life-enhancing sport.

“It develops your personality,” she said, “and it helps you focus.”

Kimmich also enjoys the opportunity to travel to other countries, and meet other athletes.

She described it, saying, “We get to travel, get to do what we love, and have a good time.”

According to her, many athletes are friends outside the ring. Despite the fact that they are competitors, athletes do not ever really hate each other.

“Emotions don’t play into this game,” Kimmich said. “It’s not personal at all.”

Kimmich focuses on the sport as both a mental and physical pastime. She stated that “you can’t walk into that ring scared, or you’ve already lost.”

According to Kimmich, state of mind is 90 percent of the strategy. She and her team visit sports psychologists to ensure that they are in a good state of mind, as well as practicing positive visualization techniques.

Of course, they also treat their bodies with ice, whirlpool, and the occasional massage. Kimmich has broken bones in both of her feet, so she is very aware of the physical toll this sport can take.

However, she asserts that those who are truly dedicated can work through the pain. If an athlete takes too much time off because of an injury, skills can get rusty, just as with any other sport.

Kimmich trains at Martinez Brothers’ Taekwondo studio.

She admits that school has been a bit of an obstacle to her workouts and training, but she is happy to do both.

Kimmich is currently working toward a degree in Marketing, and a French minor, while continuing her training.

She encourages anyone who is interested in beginning Taekwondo to try it out.

Particularly with the recent violence on campus, Kimmich would like to “encourage girls and women [to learn self-defense].”

Kimmich also points out that Taekwondo is great exercise, and can help focus and self-esteem. But, bear in mind that it is a full-contact sport.

For more information on the World University Taekwondo Championship, visit www.fisu.net and click on the link to World University Championships 2004.

Kimmich is also happy to answer questions, and can be reached at dkimmich@du.edu.