Kids can be full of surprises. So, when an eight-year-old Rowena Lau began catching on to the sport of taekwondo, even her mother had to admit she didn’t expect what was to come.
But what began as an innocent introduction to the Korean martial art by a family friend has turned into an interesting journey to the upcoming junior world championships for the Grade 10 Byrne Creek Secondary teen.
Lau has trained at OMAC Master’s Taekwondo on 12th Street since she was eight. Now a second Dan black belt, the 15-year-old Lau found the experience fun and the dojang welcoming.
“Yes, I found it interesting. I enjoyed the way they taught classes,” said Lau.
She entered her first competition as a blue belt at Capilano University and surprised even herself by coming away with the gold medal in her division in a sudden-death final.
“For me, when she first started, she was always quiet and unassuming. Her mother thought she would only be in it for recreation, but she competed and worked hard, and overall, she’s my best student,” said Master Young Suh. “She is strong and has good balance. It’s a really good opportunity for her future.”
The sudden success and chance to meet new friends appealed to Lau and kept her active in the dojang. It also made her hungry for more learning from the Master’s teaching staff.
In 2011, a shorter Lau gave up both weight and as much as four years in age at her very first national.
“I lost pretty badly,” she said. “It was my first national, and I got really nervous. It was a big tournament, and I didn’t really know anyone on the team. I lost to a girl from Ontario.”
Lau has since shot up in height and put on more muscle. She started this year off losing to the eventual champion in the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open.
At this year’s Canadian championships in Montreal, Lau beat the same Ontario girl for a second consecutive time at the nationals, winning gold in the under-42 kilogram finweight division.
“I think my kicks are fast, and I’m strong and alert, and my master keeps telling me positive things. It makes me feel accomplished after the hard work and training,” Lau said. “It paid off.”
Suh has no long-term expectations for his rising star.
“I want her to focus on her schooling first. Her grades are still good,” he said, adding Lau is a busy teenager, playing two high sports while also participating in the volunteer club and the jazz band at Byrne Creek.
Prior to the nationals, Lau earned a silver medal at u-44 kg at the Youth Olympic Games in Montreal.
She also picked up an earlier silver at the Pan Am Games in Mexico.
Lau’s gold-medal win at the nationals earned her an automatic berth on the Canadian team to the junior worlds, which will take place in Chinese Taipei in March.
“My goal for her is to gain experience, but I want her to finish top five. I have seen the best in the world, and she’s just as good as the top athletes,” said Suh.
“Whatever happens, it’s one more stepping stone I can learn from and improve even more,” Lau said.
But Lau is also uncertain where her taekwondo may lead her and says she’s taking each year as it comes.
Yet her fast strikes and quick thinking on the mat make her a formidable opponent at any level – just ask her cousins.
“Yeah, I like to tangle with my older cousins – they’re guys – it’s more interesting than watching TV or something,” she said.
