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 people’s lives where they have more free time and have additional freedom with their days. However, with retirement there is also the expectation that people will start to wind down with adult children starting to mention Lasting Power of Attorney and Wills.

Jenny started Taekwondo in 1998 at the age of 46 as an enjoyable way to keep fit and by the time she retired she had progressed to a 1st Dan black belt. When Jenny retired over 10 years ago, she hadn’t anticipated how having more free time to train would allow her to really develop and progress with her Taekwondo.

Jenny, a member of Aspire Taekwondo in Barnsley, says “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.”

Taekwondo has benefits for developing and preserving balance, fitness, flexibility, strength, and memory. Simple things that happen routinely in class such as getting on and off the floor are core skills to develop as people get older.

British Taekwondo currently has 28 women 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!”

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

If you would like to share your Taekwondo story please contact Anna Warburton-Ball, Insights & Communications Officer via insight@britishtaekwondo.org or 07562 647 880.