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09/06/2017 12:00 AMTaekwondo is a way of life for Emilie Agamie, a 6th-grade student at Saint Mary School in Branford. The martial art has played an important role in Emily’s upbringing as virtually every member of her family is involved in Taekwondo one way or the other.
“It’s like a way of communication with my family. It’s a way we meet up and a way of friendship, because we’re all doing it. It’s just so great, because we can all get along by what we’ve been taught by our masters,” says Emilie, 11. “Our masters taught us to respect and love each other. Our motto is ‘CRISPD,’ which stands for courtesy, respect, integrity, self-control, perseverance, and determination.”
Emilie and several of her teammates from Branford World Champion Taekwondo recently competed at the USA Taekwondo National Championship in Detroit, Michigan. The school saw multiple athletes earn medals at the meet, including Emilie, who came away with a gold medal by taking first place in board breaking and won a silver medal with her second-place finish in form in the Red Belt Youth Female 10-11 category. The competition marked Emilie’s third national appearance on the World Champion Taekwondo stage.
“The more you do competitions, the more you learn, and the more you’re able to try your best and persevere. One thing I always do is focus on my training and make sure I’m doing my best—not the medal,” says Emilie, who adds that she was still pleased to see her hard work pay off with a couple of medals. “It’s a big accomplishment. There were 60 girls in my division, and only the top four walk away with medals. I achieved gold and silver, but for me, it was best to see my friend [Haley Han] win gold in form. It was her biggest goal, and it came true in her first national. When I see my friends succeed, it’s just as big an accomplishment for me as it is achieving my own medal.”
Emilie goes on to describe the feeling of winning her gold medal in board breaking, a discipline in which she’s seen much success throughout her young career.
“Board breaking is a method of self-defense. We have to break 30 boards in two minutes, which means also clearing the wood chips and boards that we break. It takes five masters to accomplish getting them on and off the mat,” says Emilie. “I remember it was the most exciting and proud feeling. It was another milestone accomplishment.”
Emilie trains at Branford’s World Champion Taekwondo under the guidance of Master Han, who says that Emily puts in many hours of hard work alongside her teammates every week.
“Emilie is always challenging herself. She’s always trying her best,” says Master Han. “We do basic skills with a lot of repetition training. We teach them about form in more detail and how to make a better performance at competition.”
Humble by nature, Emilie is always looking to compliment her masters and her fellow teammates, and she enjoys supporting her team members throughout their training and at competitions. While she isn’t one to call attention to herself, Emilie notes how practicing Taekwondo has made her a better person.
“It’s a great way of physical and mental training. It’s really fun and interactive with other people. Plus, it’s based on respect,” she says. “It actually helps me in school because it keeps me focused. It’s a way I calm myself down, because it’s so peaceful.”
As Emilie, a first degree black belt, looks to progress in the world of Taekwondo, she knows that her teammates will be the driving force behind what she accomplishes.
“My goal is to be the best I can possibly be and become a national and world champion, physically and mentally,” Emilie says. “There are nine degrees and each takes three to six years per degree, so it’s something I have to work up to.”