Empowering Women every day: How Taekwondo can empower girls and women to excel.

Despite Team GB Taekwondo being inundated with inspirational women, Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden have 4 Olympic medals, 4 World Championships, and 7 European Championships between them, Martial Arts is still often seen as a boy’s club.

Benefits of taking up Taekwondo for Women.

Taekwondo has many benefits for anyone getting involved, however, women can especially benefit from taking up the sport. With Taekwondo you can prove exactly how strong you are to yourself and others by developing both your mental and physical fortitude.

Taekwondo is also good for girls and women who want to improve their self-defense skills. Developing self-defense and self-awareness skills can be the difference between positive and negative outcomes.

Being safe isn’t all about being able to fight and overpower an attacker, by being aware of your environment and mastering some self-defense techniques you can help yourself be and feel safer.

Lastly, Taekwondo is fun! The whole experience of learning new skills, training with opponents, and becoming part of a supportive and uplifting community feels great and is empowering for girls and women.

Women in British Taekwondo.

Karla, Jenny, and Candice have shared their stories of how taking up Taekwondo have helped to empower them.

Karla Jaeger-Collins: Taking up Taekwondo.

Karla’s story shows us that facing our fears and trying something new, at whatever age, can be a rewarding and empowering experience. “We’re a part of a club that gives its best to you and encourages you to give your best back. Everyone is valued and that filters down all the way through.”

“So, for anyone thinking of trying, do! You have a place! For those thinking of doing competitions or seminars, do! You will always walk away with something good.”

“This year, I won my first-ever trophy, the first one in my entire life, so it’s never too late to try! That’s Taekwondo!”

Read more about Karla’s story here: An Interview with Karla Jaeger-Collins, a member of the Dorset Taekwondo Association.

Jenny Furness: ‘Taekwondo is a great way to silence anyone who tries to treat you as an old lady!’

Retirement is an important milestone in everyone’s lives where they have more free time and additional freedom with their days. However, with retirement, there is also the expectation that people will start to wind down.

Jenny Furness, an exceptional British Taekwondo member, wasn’t ready for this and wanted to continue her active lifestyle.

When Jenny retired over 10 years ago, she had been involved in Taekwondo for years and progressed to a 1st Dan black belt, however since her retirement she has developed and progressed with her Taekwondo.

“Since retiring I have progressed to 4th Dan, have been National 66+ Poomsae champion twice, and I am currently in my 3rd year as part of the British Taekwondo GB Poomsae Squad.”

Jenny is one of 28 female British Taekwondo members who are over 65 taking part in Taekwondo nationally and as Jenny says, “It’s a great way to silence anyone who tried to treat you as an old lady!”

Read more about Jenny’s story here: Jenny Furness, Excelling in Taekwondo during Retirement.

Candice Winter: With Taekwondo I went from being weak, broken, and voiceless to strong and empowered.

Candice Winter started Taekwondo a few years after she had been diagnosed with Sero Negative Inflammatory Arthritis, a systemic autoimmune disease that attacks all her major joints. It has now been 11 years since her diagnosis, and she is in the best shape of her life, and she puts it all down to Taekwondo.

“My Taekwondo journey has been incredible, and it has changed my life. When I started Taekwondo, I started living. I had no idea how remarkable Taekwondo would be for me.”

“I had no idea of what I would accomplish in the short time I’ve been doing Taekwondo. This sport made me push myself to see what I was made of. It has given me the gift of self-discipline and it made me realize my worth despite my illness.”

Candice now represents Great Britain on the GB National Poomsae Squad, and she says “I’m extremely proud to be on the National Squad. I never dreamed I would make it onto this talented team along with wonderful like-minded, driven, and determined women. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to represent Great Britain.”

Read more about Candice’s story here: How Taekwondo empowered Candice after her diagnosis of a chronic illness.

Get involved in Taekwondo near you!

You can find out more about Taekwondo clubs and sessions in your area using the British Taekwondo Club Finder.

We believe all of our members are exceptional and would like to hear all of their stories. If you would like to share your Taekwondo story, please contact insight@britishtaekwondo.org or 07562 647 880.