Girls Leading The Way

Girls Leading The Way - A True Devotee of Taekwondo

Name: Evangelia (Angela) Mouhtaris

Age: 64 yrs

Time training: 3 years

Grade: 2nd gup

Club: Taekwondo Cronulla, Sydney, NSW

Head Instructor: Gary Simmons

Reasons for starting Taekwondo?
"I started training after bringing and watching my grandson Anthony to class who was 6 yrs old at the time. Taekwondo Cronulla has some mixed aged sessions and I had noticed that some of the Mothers of my grandson's friends who were aged in their mid 30's had began to train and were really enjoying themselves. Around this time my Doctor was very concerned about my health as I suffer from diabetes and chronic arthritis. It was critical for me to lose some weight and fast. So I thought if those ladies can do Taekwondo then so can I. Luckily, the instructors at Taekwondo Cronulla are very kind and patient and they were - and still are behind me all the way. They give me lots of help and encouragement".
How often do you train?
"I train 3-4 times a week. Sometimes, I even do double sessions and train for over 2 hours a night. I can't get enough of it".
What do you like about Taekwondo training?
"Our club is a 'Taekwondo family' and I love the friendship and fun we have in class. I have a lot of responsibility with my family and our business and I can get quite stressed out. When I am at training I forget about all my problems and stress and afterwards I feel young and invigorated. My Doctor is now amazed at my fitness level and how much weight I have lost and has warned me to never stop Taekwondo training. There are no worries about that because I am committed in getting my black belt and going beyond that".
What's the best part of training?
"I love it all. However, I must say I love board breaking the best. Free sparring comes a close second. I find learning the terminology and passing my Head Instructor's terminology quizzes the most difficult part".
Competitions ?
"I have been in a few regional comps and one State comp. I've entered board breaking, Poomsae, self defense and one sparring competition where I had to fight a lady 30 years my junior. It was a close result and I was pleased that I was able to score some good points. I think competition Taekwondo is very exciting. In most comps I have been the oldest competitor and in all comps I've been in I am the oldest woman competitor by far".
Benefits from Taekwondo?
"Taekwondo training is my 'fountain of youth'. Also, as I mentioned Taekwondo training has done wonders for my arthritis and my weight problem. I feel fit within myself and my confidence has never been higher in my life. My knowledge of self defense has improved in a major way and I definitely know that I will be a lot better off if I am ever attacked in the street. Those nasty muggers will not be expecting a little old lady like me to give them a mighty batangson chigi on the nose or a kal jebi to the throat!!!
Source:http://www.taekwondoaustralia.org.au/members/women.htm