Diana Khosrovi, a first-year student at Westminster College, ties her second-degree black belt around her waist. “It took me six years to become a black belt and eight years to become a second-degree black belt,” Khosrovi said. Photo by Rachel Terran.
First-year student Diana Khosrovi attracted over 35 students to join her taekwondo club during the first weeks of school. Khosrovi, a second-degree black belt from Boise, Idaho, went from disliking taekwondo to obtaining two black belts and starting a college club.
Khosrovi is currently an exploratory major but is planning on pursuing pre-law. In the meantime, she said she hopes to lead students to become their best selves through martial arts.
Alyson Pinkelman, a first-year student from Las Vegas, Nevada, has been practicing taekwondo for five years and is working alongside Khosrovi as the assistant instructor for the taekwondo club. Pinkelman said she had to use self-defense in real-life situations growing up in Las Vegas.
“I could tell by sparring with Diana that she has a lot of experience, and I am really excited to learn under her,” she said.
Q: What did it take to become a second-degree black belt?
A: It took me six years to become a black belt and eight years to become a second-degree black belt. It involved dedication and training every day for over an hour. Taekwondo is really about the belief in yourself that you can improve.
Q: When did you first start practicing taekwondo?
A: I started maybe when I was around eight. Funny story—I didn’t really like it for a while. I quit for two years, and then I liked it again once I went back. My mom is Korean, so she really encouraged me to practice.
Q: How long did it take to become a black belt, and what was the process?
A lot of schools are very different. Some schools are corrupt in the sense that you can pay and they will basically give you a black belt. My school was different in that my taekwondo master would actually bend over backwards to personally help me improve not just at taekwondo but as a person.
Q: What inspired you to start the club at Westminster?
A: I had a club at my high school and then after that I just really wanted to get people inspired about taekwondo here at Westminster.
Q: What’s the club turnout like so far? Is there a community here?
A: There were several people who were really stoked. We got about 35 or more sign ups and I have gotten a lot of emails saying, ‘I am really excited to join the club.’ I am really excited to help them grow as my master helped me grow.
Q: What do you think is the most important element to knowing self defense?
A: Taekwondo is more of a self defense thing for me simply because I have learned how to get out of locks that other people wouldn’t know. I feel more secure walking around at night because I have more knowledge under my belt—pun not intended.
Q: In what ways is it more of an art form or personal development?
A: Taekwondo is based upon the belief in yourself. There have been rough times in tournaments when I have lost by a tough margin. When I would win, that was my redemption. To me, it was more of an overall confidence booster and belief in myself.
Q: Why should people who have never tried taekwondo join the club?
A: I highly encourage people who think they can’t do things to at least try. A lot of times I would get discouraged. I lost my first match ever and that was a big crush. It always starts out really rough, but eventually you don’t want to stop. It is my own pride that keeps me going.
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Yup Diana has a lot of experience. And She is right that It is one’s own pride that keeps him/her going. And this thing always stirs us towards our goals .
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I must’ll say that we should appreciate these kind of girls having such a great talent of picking anything in no time .
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Very interesting. Truly a great read. Thanks for sharing!
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Excellent effort. I find that martial arts helps not only physically but mentally and helps develop leadership skills. Keep up the good work.
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Perseverance all wins. If there is a focus then people can do anything. Keep fighting and keep up the good work.
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Hey, it is amazing that a second-year student has earned a black belt. It is really an excellent effort done by this student. Martial art has always played an amazing role and it helps us to be physically as well as mentally strong.
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Your hard work is truly inspirational! Your story is inspiring to my 10 year old son.
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So inspiring to see. Albeit black belts are a lot easier to get nowadays compared to when I was in the game. Still a great thing to see though. Congrats!
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Nice so glad to see this. Getting a black belt isn’t easy and starting a successful club is even harder. Congrats!
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Your grip on this theme is astonishing. It truly connected to me and I am happy I discovered this material. Much thanks.
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Great club to get started on a campus!
John
I’ve often thought I should have learned taekwondo but now I think I’m too old.
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This is a great article. So cool to see perseverance pay off and a young person develop character in the process. Well done!
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Very interesting, thanks for sharing your story!