student world champion in Tae Kwon Do Fifteen-year-old Alicia Riddle, Hilton High School sophomore, has been training in the Korean martial art Tae Kwon Do since she was seven-years-old, beginning in her native country, Canada. Today she is a second-degree black belt, soon to test for the third degree, and recognized at the international level in her class. Last month she traveled to Columbus, Ohio and went undefeated at the international competition known as the "Arnold Battle of Columbus" - Arnold Schwarzenegger, that is. "Tae Kwon Do is a full-contact martial art," Alicia said, "points are won when there is contact to the stomach or head (head gear, mouth, shin and chest guards are worn)." Alicia won in two areas: forms and fighting, but her soft-spoken demeanor belies the inner confidence she has developed inside. "It's about discipline and self-respect," she said, "physical activity, staying in shape, but you don't have to be aggressive. It's an inner sense of confidence you develop." Originally trained in Toronto, now at Master Kim's on Ridge Road in Rochester, in 1997 Alicia traveled to Korea with her Canadian master to work and train with other students in a very rigorous setting. "We trained eight to ten hours per day," she said. "We lived there two months. In Korea, the Tae Kwon Do School is an actual school. Tae Kwon Do comes first. Academics fit in around it." This year in Sydney, Tae Kwon Do was recognized for the first time as an official Olympic sport. At the meet in Columbus, she was recognized as grand champion for her age group, 15-17-year-olds and received a $100 check. While she does some teaching at Master Kim's, Alicia is not necessarily gearing up for the Olympics. "It's been part of my life since I've been seven," she admitted. "I love it - it's my life." |
