Written by Wendy Diaz, Muslim Link Contributing WriterFriday, 17 July 2009 15:04
Aqabah Karate proved to be a force to be reckoned with on Saturday, June 27 at the 4th Annual United States Goodwill Tang Soo Do Association National Championship in Waldorf, Md.
Team Aqabah, led by Muhib Rahman, participated in their first tournament in school history. Even though most of their competitors were rookies, they came home as champions, racking up a total of 62 medals - 28 gold, 21 silver, and 13 bronze. Aqabah also received the trophy for the “Most Supportive School.”
The tournament, located in the Capital Clubhouse, included over 200 competitors. Grandmaster Song Ki Kim, who has practiced Tang Soo Do for more than 50 years, made a special appearance in the tournament after flying from Korea.
Muslim families met together in support of the men, women, and children representing Aqabah Karate. The competitors wowed the audience.
“Muslims can get down, too,” one member of the audience said.
Of the more than 20 east coast schools participating in the tournament, Aqabah had the most number of participants, even though the students learned of the tournament with little time to prepare, said Abu Uthman Hernan, assistant instructor of Aqabah Karate.
“We announced it to the students only two weeks in advance and the amount of dedication that they put forth in those two weeks to strengthen their forms and their sparring was absolutely amazing,” said Hernan, himself a black belt candidate who brought home two gold medals. “The kids worked hard to get themselves physically and mentally prepared and it paid off.”
Black Belt Team Sparring was the first event. Aqabah's team consisted of head instructor Muhib Rahman, assistant instructor Abu Uthman and women’s instructor Saira Khan. The men sparred against men and the women sparred against women.
It was a great motivation for the team to watch their instructors compete first, according to Rahman.
“I wanted to lead from the front,” Rahman said. “I did not think I would participate again after 11 years, but I wanted to encourage my students because most of them were competing for the first time and they were nervous.”
Rahman demonstrated that there was nothing to be nervous about and led his team courageously, losing third place by only one point, but receiving Honorable Mention in Team Sparring. The confident students took their places in their respective rings and the fierce competition began simultaneously in all corners of the arena.
The Aqabah competitors’ families gathered along the walls and the rings in support of their loved ones and soon enough, the students were being called to the podium to receive medals.
“I enjoyed seeing all the participants getting medals: first, second, and third place,” said Khan, who also competed in the individual competitions and brought home a medal.
However, watching her students winning was the highlight of her day.
“I liked seeing the excitement in their eyes,” she said.
This event opened many doors for Muslim athletes to feel comfortable about competing without compromising their beliefs, some participants said.
“Every time someone from Aqabah Karate stood on that podium to receive their awards, my heart just lit up with joy and happiness for that Muslim sister or brother,” said another adult competitor from Aqabah Karate.
KhadijaThe judges and staff were very supportive of the contestants’ religious beliefs, allowing them certain liberties not common to the other schools. For example, bowing is a gesture of respect within martial arts, but Rahman explained to the organizers of the event that Muslims only bow to Allah. The judges also recognized the Islamic prohibitions of shaking hands between opposite genders.
Both students and their families were pleased with the level of respect that the staff had for the Islamic traditions.
“I think we gave a good impression and I think it was a positive reaction,” said Ilyas Korme, the father of two Aqabah students, Zakariya and Aisha. “I would definitely encourage my children to participate in future tournaments.”
The younger group of Aqabah students seemed to be the most thrilled by this event.
“Even though I didn’t win, I still got a certificate from the people who sponsored,” said Aisha Korme, a 9-year-old brown belt. “Everyone would get something and I thought that was a big thing.”
Another 9-year-old brown belt, Sukina Abdul Wakeel, who won a bronze medal in sparring, said her favorite part of the tournament was watching the black belt masters compete. Talha Muhib, Rahman’s son, said his most memorable moments were “getting medals.”
Parents were also proud of the school’s achievement.
“It was very exciting and it was a good opportunity for Muslims to participate is such a sporting event,” said Habib Ali, the father of competitor Omar Ali. “[Aqabah’s] success reflects that their training is in accordance with the standards of other schools and it means the coaches are doing a good job.”
Assistant instructor Uthman Eberle, 20, said he got a lot of positive feedback.
“People were impressed that there is a good Muslim school doing Karate,” he said. “But there is still a lot of work to do.”
The tournament wrapped up with the last of the participants packing up their medals and belts, but the competitive spirit of Aqabah Karate lives on, dedicated to success at the highest level.
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