A devistating blow. This is an essay that is written as a biographical slice of my life and the experience i had when i broke three ribs during a taekwondo match.

Tired and sweaty, I reached for my forearm pads to prepare myself for the sparring session of training camp. As I put on the final part of gear, the soft helmet, I stood up to join the others aligned under the Korean flag. This day however was not a normal day at training camp. This would be the day in which we have our final sparring session before the Jr. Olympics held in Minnesota. Even …

…Tab/>"Tom Billingggs 1st place" a judge said. I was in shock and gallantly took my place on the podium for my picture. Despite breaking my ribs during training camp and being first in the form competition I was able to overcome the hardships and do what I had worked hard for. I was still unable to spar and it left a certain emptiness in me... could I have gotten two gold medals .....