By Glenda Lim (Chairperson ‘25), Yang Yuet Yuet (EXCO ‘25 member) 

Adapted from CCA Previews ‘25 

If you’ve ever dreamed about rekindling your flame for this martial art you’ve done and loved since young, or simply want to transition to a new sport and immerse yourself in its ins and outs while growing more powerful and flexible, then you’ve come to the right place! 

Take a seat, and perhaps start to do some leg stretches as you wait, because we’re going to bring you on an enthralling ride. And perhaps by the end of this article, you’d be all warmed up to join us. Because you won’t be the same after joining our RITKD family — but in the best ways possible. 

What’s Taekwondo all about? 

Perhaps the biggest question everyone may have is – what does Taekwondo actually do? Well, Taekwondo is a martial art originating from Korea, characterised by high, fast and powerful kicking techniques. The epitome of a Taekwondo player embodies both the “martial” and the “art” of “martial art”, by training and excelling in both its Poomsae (the art) and Kyorugi (the martial) components. 

In RITKD, we train competitive poomsae (pattern) and modified kyorugi (sparring). Poomsae is a set of attack and defence movements, incorporating various types of kicking, punching, and blocking techniques. These techniques are excellent for physical conditioning and build muscle control, power, coordination, flexibility and balance. We practise modified kyorugi in the form of intensive target kicking and non-contact sparring, developing our power and honing motor coordination as we practise various combinations of kicks and stepping footwork. 

Overall, Taekwondo is a great sport for training strength and flexibility, as well as developing character such as drive, teamwork and discipline. Here at RITKD, our most bubbly and loving CCA mates and teachers foster a safe space for you to push yourselves to your physical and mental limits. CCA mates and teachers foster a safe space for you to push yourselves to your physical and mental limits. 

How are CCA sessions like? 

Our CCA sessions are held in a variety of locations, like the MPH, ISH, PAC reception area and innovation centre, but they all have one thing in common — they’re indoors, ensuring that we have a comfortable environment to thug and sweat it out on our training mats. During off-peak seasons, our sessions are held on Wednesdays from 8am to 11am. During competition season, we have additional training sessions, usually on Fridays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. 

We are trained by our dear coaches from the ACME Sabertooth Team, who dedicate a lot of time and effort to share with us their wealth of experience and skills, as they push us to master each and every technique imaginable. 

So, how do sessions go? 

We typically start training with dynamic warm-ups before commencing with deep stretches, consisting of static splits and a lot (did we mention… a LOT?) of PNF partner stretching. Pushed into 180º kick stances against the wall, we are comforted by the fact that the occasional grunting and shrieks filling the air are simply testaments of the love our CCA mates have for us – to push ourselves harder! 

Then, we do physical conditioning and have fun with unique exercises (think: crab walks, hip twists, Mario jumps, split walks, kick lunges) that develop our full-body strength. 

Next, it’s time to strap on our ankle weights to commence our most iconic training – kicking training! Assisted by the occasional resistance bands and parallel bars, we train slow leg extensions and fast thrust kicks to perfect our form.  

We typically spend the next hour learning and perfecting our poomsae moves under the watchful eyes of our dear coaches. Occasionally, our coaches throw in a bit of fun, letting us have a go at the viral kick speed challenges using our target pads! 

What events do we participate in? 

We gear towards the main event of the year – the National School Games (NSGs) where we perform our individual and/or team poomsaes in front of a panel of judges. Apart from NSGs, there are other competitions we can take part in, such as the National Poomsae Championships, Pesta Sukan and NTU Taekwondo Open Championship. 

RITKD making the experiences and taeking the wins. 

Additionally, the coloured belts undergo termly gradings to advance our belt levels.  

How’s the CCA culture like? 

There is family, and then there are friends that become family. And RITKD means much more than a group of people we spend our Wednesday mornings and Friday afternoons with. RITKD is a family, and here, our strong camaraderie is one of the most integral parts of our CCA experience that ties us all together. 

Intense yapping and laughing about everything and nothing at once whenever we’re together, CCA lunches and dinners, outings with barbecue and swimming, digicam phototaking sessions, silly TikTok productions, and so much more. On top of the Taekwondo, the trophies, the medals, perhaps the real RITKD are the friends we make along the way – the cherry on top for our JC experience. 

Should I join? Do I need to do anything to join? 

Taekwondo is a developmental CCA, so we welcome beginners, but it’d be great if you could train your flexibility before coming for the trials, because that would go a long way in achieving better form. But most importantly, bring your passion and enthusiasm and we’ll help you kickstart your journey! 

So, what are you waiting for? Come join our Taekwondo family! It’s not just about mastering moves — it’s about building confidence, finding a family, and having lots and lots of fun! And if you’ve stuck around to the end, then perhaps it’s a sign to just try out for our CCA when the time comes!