The Way Word
My Experience with the Tae Kwon Do Times
Kathrin J. Sumpter
I started reading the Tae Kwon Do Times back in 2006 when I earned my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. In many ways, the publication opened up a world of Tae Kwon Do much more than what I had been exposed to. When you’re new to the arts and you’re coming up the ranks, it’s easy to have tunnel vision and adopt the notion that your school is the first and last word in whatever art you’re pursuing. TKD Times revealed a plethora of different philosophies and training tools that helped set me on a new path. Shortly after subscribing, the TKD Times posted a request for article submissions from new black belts asking what their rank means to them. I fit that category, and I submitted my essay. I was happy when it was published. Later on that year, I opened my school and began working for continued rank promotion. I also began teaching people with a variety of challenging health circumstances, specifically cancer fighters and survivors. I was learning like mad, and I wanted to share the information. I took a chance and contacted the TKD Times editor. I told her what I was doing, and she asked me to submit 64 January 2021 / taekwondotimes.com
an article with photos. It was a hit. She printed it camera-ready, exactly how I submitted it. I was thrilled that she even took a chance on me, but the results were undeniable. In my observation, the Tae Kwon Do Times has always tapped in to their audience by reaching out. I remember their School of the Month feature that showcased winning schools from all over the world. You needed to submit your entry form (no fees), answer a few questions and wait for the results. I love that. It really promoted a healthy competition between all of us. One day, I was tapped by the editor to vye for a position as a correspondent. I submitted some writings and I got the spot. I spent several years as a correspondent until one day, a new editor asked me to submit some technique-driven weapon articles. I’m an Eskrima practitioner, as well, and I had a ton of material. So, for a few years, I was able to contribute in that fashion, as well as the occasional artist-profile feature. Within parameters, I was given a great deal of latitude and artistic license in the text content and photos
