Kamsahamnida,
by Leonor Henríquez

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       The room was packed.

So full that we had to sit in a corner on the floor.

The children, including my 8-year-old grandson Tomás, began to line up at the edge of the enormous white rectangle.

All wearing their impeccable “dobok”, that is the name of the uniform.

It was a session where the students would have to demonstrate their Taekwondo skills to advance to a higher level, with the deserved change of belt color.

Taekwondo is one of the oldest martial arts. Its origins are Korean, and it is considered the highest art of self-defense.

The children began their routines, following the commands given by the Master. The levels of concentration are enormous, with perfect coordination between kicks and arm movements.

While researching for this article, I learned that Tae refers to foot, Kwon is hand and Do means art: Taekwondo. A discipline that exalts the concepts of integrity, perseverance, self-control, and courtesy.

The most stressful moment arrives, the final test to graduate. Each child must break a board with a precise kick.

Some break it on the first try. Others need several, and when they get it right, a huge ovation erupts.

The Master motivates them, encourages them, and reinforces their self-confidence.

The world seemed to go into slow motion when it was Tomás’s turn. He broke the board with tremendous technique and elegance, and bowed to the teacher with the subsequent Kamsahamnida, thank you in Korean.

As I applauded excitedly, I looked up at the stands and was touched by a moment of great beauty.

Parents, grandparents, siblings, all cheering for their children and others, with the same emotion and pride on their faces.

A huge collective smile.

But the most inspiring feeling was finding, in the eyes of each child who came out with the broken board, that look of determination, of triumph, of indomitable spirit.

More than a martial arts class, a joyful and full of gratitude afternoon.

Kamsahamnida!

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