Sophomore Jonathon Kim first started practicing TaeKwonDo at age 9. He was living in South Korea at the time and managed to receive his black belt by age 10.
“I had originally joined because I was pretty shrimpy and wanted to learn self defense,” Kim said. “What better way than to learn the national sport, right?”
After moving to Colorado, Kim stopped practicing TaeKwonDo for nine years. His martial arts career was saved, however, by the University of Denver.
“When I came to DU, I was extremely excited to hear that there was a club for TaeKwonDo,” Kim said. “It’s just something that I’ve always loved and grew to miss. I eventually worked up the nerve to join, and now I’m happy to say that it makes up some of the best hours of my week.”
Like Kim, every member of Club TaeKwonDo has joined for his or her own personal reasons. Yet the club has become a strongly-knit entity that has gained momentum in the last year with an increase in membership and enthusiasm.
“I feel like everyone else in the club genuinely cares about each other and wants to help you improve,” said sophomore Maggi Crabb. “I have been in other club sports at DU, and the sense of community is not there. I have met the best people through TaeKwonDo, which is part of what makes me motivated to go week after week.”
The club boasts a diverse membership, as well, with members from Taiwan, Mongolia, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya and France. Members range in skill level from white belt (beginner) to yellow, green and blue belts (intermediate) to red and black belts (advanced). There are no necessary qualifications, experience or membership fees required, said 2008-2009 club president Huy Huynh.
“Don’t worry if you haven’t done any martial arts before-all except two of our members joined without any previous knowledge,” said Huynh. “It’s a very easy art form to pick up and well worth the time. The club’s atmosphere is very encouraging, and we’re always happy to help others.”
The club’s coach, Lee Cutright, has been leading and training the club since it first started at DU more than 15 years ago. He is a seventh-degree black belt master who has been learning the art of TaeKwonDo since age 10. With experience as a world champion, international judge and Olympic referee for TaeKwonDo, Cutright offers the club members wisdom from a life of experience.
“Master Cutright has given me a profound understanding of the art of TaeKwonDo,” said assistant coach Bill Yeager. “His life experiences are pretty amazing and give valuable insight into how to react in many situations. His knowledge of the martial arts is nothing short of amazing.”
Backed by a grand master of TaeKwonDo, enthusiastic members, a sense of family and a wide range of skill level, Huynh hopes to take the club to new heights next year.
“My goal for next year is to definitely enter some tournaments,” he said. “I believe that we have an outstanding group that is capable of becoming champions.”
Huynh said he also aspires to get the club more involved in the community next year, after a successful demonstration at the Denver Christian High School a few weeks ago. He also hopes to offer self-defense workshops for DU students.
For anyone interested in trying TaeKwonDo, Kim said: “Just do it! It may see intimidating at first, but you’ll be with a bunch of friendly and helpful people, and you’ll have one of the best coaches in the country and quite possibly the world. You’ll gain confidence and learn to defend yourself. What could it hurt to try?”
