Physical fighting is only half the battle for MSU Taekwondo

When one pictures Taekwondo, images of people aggressively kicking and punching each other often come to mind. While striking is an essential element of the sport, Taekwondo disciplines not just the body but also the mind. The MSU Taekwondo Club is no exception.

The club, which was created in 2021, aims to emphasize the spirit of the sport. Baden Kowal — junior and club president — said that they are trying to bring a positive culture to the club, especially since the team consists of some white belts — a beginning rank in Taekwondo — who have little training.

According to taekwondonation.com, there are 10 different rankings that players can achieve in the sport. Everyone starts at the tenth geup, or white belt. From there, they can progress to the first geup — or red belt with black tips — and then from first dan to ninth dan, otherwise known as the black belt levels. Students have to wait anywhere from three to six months to increase their levels. Depending on what level they aim to be promoted to, they are expected to perform a number of moves in specific patterns.

“We bring them in, coach them, make them feel that they have learned stuff and that this is a safe place to learn how to A: hit someone and B: get hit. It’s friendly; it’s not just practice ends and you leave, but now we can actually talk about stuff and get feedback,” Kowal said.

According to him, practices also go over the mental game of fighting, which involves sizing your opponent up and showing them that you are not scared to fight — even if they are bigger than you. You have to show no fear, according to Kowal.

“Yelling is the best way to do that. Yelling is pretty much a war cry, the modern version that you are fighting someone to the death. You have to show confidence in yelling,” he said.

Patrick Anderson — graduate student and club treasurer — also explained why members should yell during practice.

“You should be yelling at the start of a match to send a message to your opponent — I own you and I am going to win this match,” Anderson said.

Lauren Powers — sophomore and black belt — said she yells almost every time she goes in for a kick. “It’s your ring. Make it your ring,” she said. As intimidating as this practice is supposed to be, it is not meant to deter people from joining the club.

“The scariest step is being on mat for the first time because everyone is going to be screaming, everyone will be kicking and telling you something. None of us here are here to make you feel bad,” Kowal said.

For those looking to join, the club holds practice four days a week in Studio Four of the Student Wellness Center, during which they prepare members for tournaments. They go to varying amounts of local, regional and national tournaments throughout the year, depending on what they can fit into their schedule. This semester, they put two on the schedule, with their next one occurring this weekend on Nov. 2 in Kalispell.

According to the club’s Instagram, @msu_taekwondoclub, although there is practice four days a week, Mondays are geared towards beginners and colored belts, Tuesdays for advanced members and black belts and Wednesdays and Thursdays are for everyone.