Our first student Kent Diamonds are UKC Taekwondo, who are the second oldest society at Kent! At a recent national competition, the Taekwondo Society won a very impressive 11 medals from 15 competitors! Students Bal, Bela and Angus tell us more about the society and its success:
Bal – “Hi! My name is Bal and I’m a final year Psychology with Clinical Psychology student. I am the Social Secretary for the Taekwondo society, where alongside organising social activities, I enjoy the opportunities to connect with other clubs and departments, to further foster a supportive community. Outside of my degree and committee role I am involved in various roles across campus such as being a ResLife Ambassador, working at Campus Coffee, being a Student Shaper and a Mind Mental Health Ambassador.”
Angus – “My name is Angus, and I’m in my third year studying Digital Design. I’m heavily involved in university life; I’m part of two sports societies and sit on the committee for both. I currently serve as the Competition Captain of the Taekwondo Society and the Vice President of the Mountaineering Society, which keeps me busy and active doing two sports I really enjoy.”
Bela – “Hello, I’m Isabela (Bela). I’m currently studying Biomedical Engineering with a Year in Industry. I personally enjoy long distance outdoor walks, nature, literature, horror movies, anime, gaming, music and sports. Starting with a foundation year in 2021, I have been part of a few societies such as kpop dance, rock and metal music, engineering and martial arts where I’ve met so many wonderful people which some have become my closest friends to this day. This is where I also have started my journey in taekwondo where the dojang, coaches and fellow partners have become a safe space of personal growth, discipline, endurance and positivity.”
Tell us about your recent success at the Taekwondo Student National Competition.
Bal – “We had 15 competitors for the first competition of the academic year, which was brilliant considering many of them had only started Taekwondo less than 2 months prior! Team morale was so high and I felt an enormous amount of pride seeing how everyone was cheering for each other. Even during my fight, hearing how loud my teammates were on the sidelines was equally motivating as it was emotion inducing. As for my fights, I will always be able to progress further but having 2 fights basically back to back and having won my first one, I am happy with my performance and having medalled.
Competing is a day full of heightened emotions, and everyone did so well, especially as the first competition tends to be the hardest one for people in terms of stress. Generally this year I feel like our club has changed a lot. We have been a predominantly small but tight club. This year we have reached a wider audience, resulting in our average attendees per session to have doubled in size. We have accomplished so much in one term, and I look forward to the opportunities that present to ourselves over the coming two terms.”
Angus – “Being part of the Taekwondo Society has broadened my experience in the sport, giving me the chance to attend competitions and represent the university. In November, I competed at the Student National Taekwondo Championships. Not only did our committee successfully organise and lead the team to the event, but I also competed individually earning a silver medal in patterns and a bronze medal in sparring (along with a few minor injuries!)
I’m really happy with what I achieved, and it’s rewarding to see my progress over time. I’ve competed in quite a few competitions now, and you don’t always come away with a medal. For example, in patterns, I haven’t performed as well in previous years, so earning a silver this time felt like a strong sign of improvement. There are always ups and downs in training but showing up is the most important part. Even without a gold medal, I’m proud that I gave my best effort and kept pushing forward.”
What are some of your favourite things about the University?
Bela – “What makes this community special to me, is that no matter where I go or which club I join I immediately feel welcomed and respected by everyone around even though I have not previously met them or have very limited knowledge on the specific clubs and their skills. This makes it possible for every single student to have equal opportunities to be able to be part of a club or group, learn new skills focus on their self-growth.”
Bal – “I am very grateful for choosing Kent. I think this University has suited me in ways I didn’t realise before studying here. There are many dedicated and inspiring lecturers here, and so many sources for student support and progression. There is such a breadth of opportunities available here, it is just the matter of reaching out for them. I have received bursaries, work opportunities, and the ability to connect with committed professionals working at the Uni in my field. I love our campus and being able to live in such a bubble.”
Angus – “One of my favourite things about the University of Kent is the campus itself, it feels like its own little village where everything you need is right on your doorstep. I also love the huge variety of societies available. Many of my best university experiences have come from being part of these societies and meeting so many amazing people through them.”
What advice would you give to Kent students?
Bal – “I would encourage people to involve themselves more with extracurriculars available at the University. There will never be another environment in the future with so many opportunities available all around you. Joining a society is to me the most important thing. I think it creates a whole new feeling of being at uni, and you can also learn new skills or work on pre-existing ones in supportive environments with dedicated teammates.”
Angus – “My advice would be, don’t hesitate to join societies if you haven’t already. You’ll meet incredible people, and it really enriches your university experience. I’d also say don’t forget to take care of yourself. University can be stressful, both mentally and physically, so make sure you look after yourself and put your wellbeing first.”
Bela – “Life currently, at this stage is all about learning about yourself, the person who you are now and the person who you want to become in the future. It’s all about trial and error because that’s how we as human beings learn and build our lives. Trying new things or joining clubs also gives you the opportunity to meet new people and start new friendships that could last for a lifetime.”
The Kent Diamonds campaign recognises the students, staff and alumni that make Kent shine. Learn more about our Kent Diamonds and our other 60th Diamond Anniversary celebrations.