HOW often do we come across people who were named after different kinds of martial arts? Exactly 48 years ago, an individual was given the privilege after his dad named him not only Roland Choong, but Roland Choong Tae Kwon for a good reason – his passion for taekwondo.
What started off as an awkward journey for Roland when he was thrown a question, “why your parents didn’t name you Karate or Judo at school”, he is now ever proud to bear the name of such a famous martial art.
The traditional Korean martial art means life or everything to his father, Choong Teck Hong, 75.
Names have significance and are an important part of our identity as most parents will attest.
Roland, who is also EQX Materials Sdn Bhd managing director, said his father had started coaching him since the age of five, and along the way, had worked tirelessly to instil in him a penchant for flair as he learned to master the art of taekwondo.
“I still remember when my father first started coaching me, he told me that in taekwondo or any other martial arts for that matter, it is not about how fast we progress, but learning the basics and mastering them.
“I strongly believe that as much as the influence my father had on me, it was the passion in me that rapidly developed during the times when I saw him in action against his opponents. His struggles and the ways he would try to outwit them.
“He showed and taught me that in life, everything and anything is possible, but the million-dollar question would be, “are we able to withstand the struggles which are quite unavoidable if we are to make it big in life?
“What began during my father’s early age, is now being carried by me, and I now proudly say that two of my three kids are also involved in sports. To be specific, my daughter is an athlete while my son is involved in taekwondo,” Roland told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview at his office in EQX Materials Sdn Bhd (Simpang Ampat) today.
He is also the current North Peninsular Malaysia Taekwondo Association president. While he has a company and multiple tasks at hand, he also provides coaching for some 4,000 students at the association but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the classes are being conducted online.
The association has several gyms (centralised training centres) registered under it across the northern region.
While many may view taekwondo as the immediate martial art practice for self-defence purposes only, Choong brushed aside that perception by saying that it was meant to serve even greater purposes in life.
“Taekwondo is not only meant to be used as a weapon, but it is also a practice that should empower us in many other ways, namely our fitness, discipline, perseverance, hand-to-eye coordination and others.
“Even here (EQX Materials), I had previously conducted activities relating to self-defence to educate my staff on the importance to safeguard ourselves in the event of any unforeseen circumstance,” he added.
He also stated that taekwondo was open for all but there are several controlled movements and specific exercises that should be conducted to avoid unnecessary pain to the human body.
Separately, in terms of achievements, the association (North Peninsular Malaysia Taekwondo Association) that Roland currently helms, has won 13 gold medals in various national and international championships in the past.
As an individual, he became national pattern champion in 1989 and free-sparring champion in 1991 (national championships).
Roland’s wife and sister also have black belts respectively.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Kevin Vimal and Roland Choong Tae Kwon