Competition is an exciting part of martial arts, but it is not the most popular path. Many students will train for years, building confidence, discipline, and self-control without ever stepping onto a competition mat. Arguably, one of martial arts most important lessons is how to resolve conflict and avoid violence altogether.  

But for students and athletes who do choose to compete, it is an opportunity to grow. For some, competition can help build focus, resilience, and respect. It’s not just about winning. It’s about learning, improving, and showing up to do your best. 

Learning from Our Competitors 

We asked the senior members of our competition team, Ava Anderson, Luke Park, and Master Van Rex Lamsen what competing means to them. 

Ava Anderson shares what her thought process is like right before a match: 

    “...I go over the plan that I have with my coach in my head before I go out on the mat. I remind myself that even if I lose it doesn't mean that I am a terrible athlete and that I'm a bad fighter. I remind myself to not hyperfocus on the other fighters in my division and focus on what I can do to win. 

When asked to consider her strongest advantage over opponents, Ava knew the answer immediately.  

     “My discipline and my work ethic. Forcing myself to really dedicate the majority of my time to taekwondo and make it a way of life....has really changed how I fight and interact with other fighters outside and inside the ring. 

Ava also encourages students to focus on themselves. 

    “Have confidence in how you fight. This is the most important part of fighting. Imposter syndrome is your worst enemy.... If you think and truly believe that you aren't good enough and you don't deserve to be there, you will fail, and your wins won't feel like wins. ... Feeling confident in your ability no matter who you are fighting, is crucial to doing well.” 
 

For Luke Park, consistency matters most. 

“The biggest habit that gives me an advantage over other competitors is consistency. Consistent hard work beats talent any day.” 

He reminds newer students to be patient, that results take repetition.  

    “A beginning student might believe that competing will bring immediate results. This is hardly the case. It might be a while before you even win a match at a tournament, and that's okay. 

Like Ava, Luke emphasizes the importance of mindset. 

    “....That might seem like a cliche, but it truly is a process. You are never going to win everything, feel good every time, or perform well everyday. There are going to be ups and downs throughout your time competing, but that's all natural. You might not see it at the moment, but you have to trust that your overall trajectory is gradually going up.” 
 
Luke also emphasizes the importance of training beyond the physical techniques.  
    “Mentality, I would argue, is actually just as important, if not more important, than your physical ability. Things like visualization, self-talk, and having a "I truly believe I can do it" attitude are some things that are essential to long-term success. Your mentality completely changes how you fight.” 

     By now, you may notice the pattern Competitors in all sports and categories can attest to the importance of a resilient mentality. “Indominable spirit” is a core tenant of taekwondo, and the ability to push forward through adversity is a tell-tale sign that a person has trained martial arts. 

When asked what habits give him an advantage over his opponents, Van Rex Lamsen prefers to keep it simple:  

“No specific habits in particular. I try to train on a regular schedule at least 2-3x/week if not more and watching my diet, avoiding junk and sweets....When competition is close I take a couple of days off work to relax, mentally prepare, and get to the gym for a light workout.” 
 
But competing, like life, is never a predictable road.  
“When getting pushed back, I try to battle back and learn from it. Whether it’s losing a match or sustaining an injury, making the proper adjustments and moving forward. Giving up is not an option...” 
 
As a veteran competitor, Master Lamsen offers a unique insight into the journey of a competing martial artist, “...I try to have fun and enjoy the sport I’ve been doing since I was a teenager.” 
 

More Than Medals 

     While we celebrate these achievements, we are most proud of the effort, teamwork, and perseverance behind them. Every student who steps onto the mat shows courage. Whether competing or training for personal growth, martial arts helps students become stronger, more confident, and more resilient. On the mats, and in everyday life. 

Celebrating Our Recent Tournament Success 

We are proud of our students and instructors for their outstanding performances: 

USAT Massachusetts State Championships 

• Ava Anderson – Gold
• Luke Park – Gold

AAU New England Championships 

• Master Jay – Gold
• Ava Anderson – Gold
• Luke Park – Gold

USAT New Jersey State Championship 

• Ava Anderson – Gold
• Luke Park – Bronze

US Open – Las Vegas, NV 

• Master Lamsen – Gold
• Zita Erdei – Gold
• Ava Anderson – Bronze

AAU NY Metro Championships 

• Master Lamsen – Gold
• Ava Anderson – Gold
• Oliver Cobos – Gold
• Maxim Cohen – Gold
• Chloe Chen Lai – Gold
• Alea Ndreshaj – Gold
• Zita Erdei – Gold
• Victoria Yao – Silver
• Elena Uribe – Silver
• Luke Park – Bronze

Canada Open 

• Ava Anderson – Gold