She put on her first dobok, traditional taekwondo wear, when she was 7-years-old. She glanced around the dojo in excitement as she saw more experienced students practicing. She had a gut feeling – she was going to like this class.
Now a high school senior, Saanvi Bhasin is a certified second degree black belt in taekwondo.
“Taekwondo was a pretty big part of my childhood,” she said. “Since I went so often, it just became a part of my weekly routine, and my week didn’t feel complete without it.”
A big part of taekwondo but one of Saanvi’s least favorite elements is sparring, a form of training in combat and martial arts that requires one to face an opponent and use their skills to win a supervised match or fight.
“It was really challenging at times and felt impossible to win when I thought I was at a disadvantage,” Saanvi said.
Still, Saanvi pushed herself and eventually found something she really enjoyed within the art.
“My favorite thing about taekwondo is the kicks.” she said. “I love how unique each kick is, and how cool they look. They can be utilized in so many different ways, depending on the scenario.”
While some might be nervous that their little girl could get hurt training in the martial arts, her mother, Ritu Bhasin, was confident that Saanvi could hold her own.
“I felt very proud seeing my daughter excel in taekwondo. I had no concerns because I saw she was having fun,” Ritu said. “I thought it was a good skill to learn, and loved seeing her progress in each belt. She never gave up.”
Although taekwondo can be challenging, Saanvi remembers feeling welcome more than anything else.
“The instructors always helped their students reach their full potential,” she said. “It was a very friendly and encouraging environment.”
Saanvi has since put taekwondo on hold, but she feels her training has provided her with a skill that will last a lifetime.
“I got my second degree black belt and still remember everything I learned in that class.” she said. “I’m so glad I stuck with it, because now I have skills that I can use for the rest of my life. I can confidently say that the years of work were worth it.”
