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 …showed first 75 words of 1363 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1363 total…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 .....