World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

Refugee’s Daughter Falls in Love with Taekwondo’s Cosmopolitan Camaraderie

The pressure was on for Australian 13-year-old Akon Baak at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“I’m pretty nervous because it’s my first ever international competition,” Baak said. “Travelling halfway around the world to compete for Australia is really exciting, but also feels a bit nerve-wracking.”

Travel and globalism are arguably in Baak’s blood - for she is the daughter and granddaugher of refugees.

“My dad was a refugee from South Sudan and my great grandparents on my mom’s side were refugees from Poland and Russia,” she said.

“My family background helps me realise how lucky am to have these opportunities to excel in sport and travel the world to compete,” Baak said. “I hope I can do them all proud.

Refugee experiences have also informed her Taekwondo.

“My coach, Mohammad Reza Hassani, was a refugee from Afghanistan and many of the other students in my club have also come to Australia as refugees,” Baak said. “I feel really lucky to be to able live in a country and be part of a Taekwondo club and sport that brings together people from all backgrounds to do something that they love.”

This community is clearly a strong driver for Akon. And Taekwondo - an equitable sport that requires no special space or equipment so can be practised by all, regardless of income level - has provided plenty of opportunities to make new friends.

“Since started Taekwondo, so many different people at my club and in the broader Taekwondo community have helped me develop my skills and challenged me to be the best I can be,” she said.

She offers special gratitude to her coach, as well as her club, Total Taekwondo Academy, and all my club members.

“Also to John Haggerty at Caledonian Taekwondo in Glasgow, Scotland, who first introduced me to Taekwondo when was living there with my family,” she added.

Baak applauds the camaraderie that is a special feature of the sport.

“I like Taekwondo because I get to make new friends at each competition that I go to, and there is a community that supports each other to improve and have fun,” she said.

“ I also like going to training and always working towards improving my Taekwondo skills.”

That is a long path. But there could be a big reward at the end of it.

“My ambitions for the future are to be able to attend more international competitions so that I can keep on improving... and then, maybe one day, represent my country at the Olympics,” she said.