During his first semester freshman year, advertising sophomore Nick Peasley saw a post about Texas Taekwondo on Instagram and viewed it as an opportunity to restart something he once loved. After attending their open house, he joined the organization, contributed to their fifth consecutive national win and found his community.
Texas Taekwondo holds five consecutive collegiate national wins and gives all levels of members opportunities to train and compete in Taekwondo, a Korean martial art that emphasizes kicking and sharp footwork combinations. The organization held an open house on Saturday, giving prospective members a look into the instruction and community Texas Taekwondo provides.
Siddharth Shanbhag, Texas Taekwondo’s vice president of membership, said a lot of people attending the open houses later join and beginners also contribute to the team’s national wins.
“Our coaches have prestigious credentials (and) we bring in a nutritionist most of the time. We line it all out for you,” said Shanbhag, a neuroscience senior. “If you put in the work, you can easily win as a beginner going into nationals.”
During the open house, Texas Taekwondo officers introduced attendees to Taekwondo basics such as frog jumps, leaps, roundhouse kicks and the kihap (energy) yell. Brianne Johnson, Plan II and rhetoric and writing sophomore, attended the open house because she wanted to try martial arts and learn self-defense. Johnson said she found the event welcoming, fun and well-organized and would consider joining Texas Taekwondo.
“I learned a lot in one day,” Johnson said. “I like that they immediately showed what opportunities were there for competition and growth in the club.”
Peasley, Texas Taekwondo’s marketing coordinator, said he thinks Texas Taekwondo’s versatility contributes to its popularity.
“Some of our athletes are training at the national level and becoming part of the USA team. And then other people are there for the community, or just to work out,” Peasley said. “Anyone can come in with whatever reason that they want, but we’re still under Texas Taekwondo together.”
Shanbhag said despite the large number of people participating in Texas Taekwondo, it still serves as a close-knit community.
“I remember last year one of my close friends typed in our Discord (at 7 a.m.) and was like, ‘Hey, does anybody want to go on a run?’… I was like, ‘Sure, why not? And there were like, seven other people,” Shanbhag said. “I don’t know any other org that wants to do that … whether it be the dedication to the sport or having fun in general … when you sweat together, you really bond.”
Texas Taekwondo will host two more open houses on January 25 and March 1. For those on the fence about attending, Shanbag encourages them to just try it out.
“Come and meet some people. It’s a free workout. There’s gonna be a ton of people there,” Shanbhag said. “Make some friends, and if you don’t like it, you don’t need to join, but I promise you will.”
