Taekwondo students learn more than martial arts

Taekwondo is loosely translated as the “way of the hand and the foot.”

For Justin Ramirez and its many other students, however, the Korean martial arts form has at least as much to do with emboldening human hearts as training extremities.

“I didn’t have the courage to defend myself,” said the 12-year-old Kingsbridge resident, recalling a time, less than a year-and-half ago, when he was bullied in school.

Justin now walks the streets of his school and neighborhood with confidence. Both he and his mother, Iris Martinez, trace this newfound confidence to the decision to enroll him in Warriors Taekwondo, a school that teaches the martial art to both children and adults.

“I notice a big, big difference in him,” said Martinez, adding that her son is not only more adept at defending himself, but can better channel his considerable energy in more productive directions.

Master Raj Rajput founded Warriors Taekwondo in 1998. The group operated out of the Century building on Johnson Avenue for a short time, before moving to Astral Fitness in Kingsbridge where its ranks have grown steadily for the past 11 years.

Rajput augmented his Astral site with a permanent home for the school in October 2012 in the environs of Inwood. The two schools have a combined total of more than 200 students divided by age groups — the youngest is 3-years-old and the oldest is in her 60s — and skill levels, according to Rajput.

 “Everybody can see that it is rough, but it is also one of the prettiest sports I have ever seen,” said Rajput, 44. “The moves are so fast. They are like a beautiful dance.”

Similar to other martial arts, taekwondo awards belts recognize a students’ degrees of skill beginning at a white belt and ascending to multiple degrees of black belts. 

Judo and taekwondo are the only martial arts that are Olympic sports. 

Taekwondo emphasizes kicking far more than other martial arts. Punches are allowed only to the upper torso, while kicks are allowed to both the upper body and face. Kicks below the belt are not allowed. Sweeping kicks are also against the rules, along with grabbing your opponent. 

“It’s a fun way of conditioning yourself and it’s also fun beating your competition,” said 9-year-old Jaiden Feliz.

For more than 10 years, students from the Warriors have participated in state and national championships. This past year, 12 local participants were awarded medals at the state championships, held at Queens College in March. One student, Abraham Altamirano, won a silver medal at the national competition in Chicago in July.

Rajput, who began practicing taekwondo at the age of 9, has amassed an extensive record as a competitor and as an instructor. His teaching experience dates back to 1982, at the Union Sports Club in Karachi, Pakistan. His accomplishments as a competitor have ranged from gold medals at the National Taekwondo Championships to a tryout for the Pakistani Olympic team in 2003.

“My teachers were much tougher on us than I am on my students,” he joked.

Rajput, who grew up in a family with 12 siblings, was just 11-years-old when he lost his father Tipu to a brain tumor.

The experience made him “a troubled kid.” It also made him “a bit of a bully,” an attribute he refuses to tolerate in his own students.

“I try and teach them to be humble,” he said. “It’s easy to get into a fight, it’s hard to get out of one.”

Rajput’s emphasis on modesty and restraint seems to be working.

“There was this big guy and he kept on picking on me,” said Alex Bermudez, 10. “As soon as he found out I was taking taekwondo, he just stopped.” Alex, a three-year veteran of the school added, “Master Raj respects me and my teammates respect me too.”

Derick Alberto, another three-year veteran, said he was stronger, faster and better in school since joining the Warriors.

“It’s a particular privilege,” said Derick, 11.  “We are like an elite team.”

Warriors Taekwondo is located at 5500 Broadway and 2859 10th Ave. For more information about the club, call 212-567-5767.