It was a historic event — the first Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore from August 14 to 24 — and two Taekwondo athletes had earned front row seats.

Melanie Phan and Stefan Bozalo were the two junior competitors who qualified to attend, and coached by Master Shin Wook Lim, both took home a bronze medal. Both athletes train at Master Lim’s TaeGeuk Taekwondo school in British Columbia.

I spoke with Master Lim about the importance of the Youth Olympic Games, and what it means for developing young Taekwondo athletes:

This was the first Youth Olympic Games. How does it compare to the traditional Olympic Games, at which you’ve coached your student Ivett Gonda?

I think youth Olympic Games is the first stepping stone to get into the traditional Olympic Games. Traditional Olympic Games is much more; expectations, pressures, stress level is high, awareness of surroundings, and much more focus as athletes. Also I need more focus as a coach to keep on reminding what you (athlete and coach) have to do and what is the main purpose of being at the Youth Olympic Games, because there are so many other events such as culture and education programs where all the athletes get together to share and learn their cultures at the Olympic Village. Definitely Youth Olympic Games is a good appetizer before the traditional Olympic Games.

Melanie and Stefan are great young athletes. What is special about them that has made them successful?

I can say they are not much different than any other young Taekwondo athlete in Canada. I believe what made them successful was one big thing: team work. Also family support (driving, cooking, financial, praying, believing, etc.), teammates (good training partners, and inspiration from past Olympian Ivett Gonda), coaching (be there for them no matter what and have a good map — be a good navigator), and athletes (knowing their potential, believing their potential, and doing what they have to do — action) all equals getting results.

For the young Taekwondo students out there, what advice can you give that could help them reach the Olympic podium one day?

1. Making a Good Team (family, friend, coach, training partner, yourself)
2. Making the right choices (fun now or fun later?)
3. Potential + Belief + Action = Results
4. Don’t give up

The last thing is “it’s not what other people say (believe) but what you say (believe) to yourself that will make you reach your ultimate goal”

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In a unanimous vote, Canadian doctors supported the idea of mixed martial arts matches. Condemning MMA would not be possible while supporting recreational martial art tournaments including Taekwondo, Karate, and Judo.

The doctors of the Canadian Medical Association did however advocate a ban on “mixed martial arts prizefighting”, which includes matches in the UFC and other large MMA organizations.

» More information: The Star Phoenix