Cardinal Taekwondo Clinches Gold at Regionals

Sirens rang out across XNA as a plane caught fire over the weekend, leaving a handful of U of A students worried that they would miss their opportunity to compete at the University of Chicago Regional Taekwondo competition, hosted by Midwest Collegiate Taekwondo Conference. Luckily, the bedraggled teams were able to show up in style with Faith Sumrow, Kyra White and Amanda Sparshott, the only U of A all-female group, taking gold in Division C Poomsae Feb. 28. 

The group was part of three teams of three, competing in two Taekwondo events. The first event, poomsae, consists of embodying efficient transition through poses, strikes and kicks. One poomsae is learned at each belt level in World Taekwondo Federation Taekwondo, increasing in difficulty and technical skill. The second event, taekwondo sparring, consists of points for kicks to the chest and head, with specialized sock sensors that track impact, awarding points to aggressors. 

In each event, team members would face off against an identified opponent from the opposing team, with the best of three advancing to the next bracket in immediate elimination style.         

"I never thought I would be doing Taekwondo in college," Sumrow said. "I loved the discipline, respect and passion of all the athletes I competed with and against. I can't wait to keep competing and practicing with such a great team." 

Sumrow is the newest member of the club. With only one month to prepare for competition, she would stay late with White and Sparshott to embody the sequences that clinched gold. 

"Of all the sports I've done, I never expected Taekwondo to be my favorite," White said. "At my first-ever competition, I got to meet and learn from so many kind, respectful and dedicated athletes. The experience was amazing and so much fun, I cannot wait to keep learning with my team."

Her previous sports included soccer, basketball, volleyball and dance. 

"I'm really proud of my teammates and their dedication to putting in the extra time to dial in and focus on the details needed to compete and win in poomsae," said Sparshott, a retired Army combatives champion and one of the few students to attend with former martial art competition experience. 

Sparshott's martial arts academy, Starshott Battle School, assisted in providing safer practice space with floor and wall mats for competitors to prepare for sparring. 

"I could not be more proud of these kids and this team," said Master Stephanie Cotariu, head instructor and founder of Cardinal Taekwondo. "(We had) nine athletes, seven first-time competitors. Athletes paid their own travel and housing, and they took care of each other like family. They handled everything like tournament pros, and, through it all, they continuously embodied the spirit and tenets of Taekwondo. (I'm) proud, honored and lucky to be their coach. Wooo Pig Sooie!"