Rare story: 12th grade female student in Nghe An opens free martial arts class

Anyone who has the opportunity to visit Nguu Tu Pagoda - a newly restored pagoda in Thanh Dong Commune, Thanh Chuong District, will meet a pretty female student diligently teaching martial arts in front of the pagoda's yard. That is Hoang Thi Phuong, a 12th grade student at Thanh Chuong 1 High School. It is known that Phuong has been studying martial arts at the pagoda for many years, but she only officially opened a free martial arts class at Nguu Tu Pagoda last year.

The Karatedo class that Phuong is in charge of is quite large, with about 150 male and female martial artists of different ages, the youngest is 8 years old, the oldest is 17 years old, many of whom are Phuong's classmates. According to the rules, this class meets regularly 3 sessions a week on the afternoons of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On martial arts afternoons, students from communes in the district such as Ngoc Son, Thanh Dong, Dong Van... gather in large numbers at the pagoda, many of whom have to be driven by their parents.

Although it was just a free, spontaneous martial arts class, the class operated quite systematically. All the students wore white uniforms, and after lining up neatly and warming up, they began practicing seriously under Phuong's guidance. The shouts of the "little coach" were responded to by the whole class with fast, strong, decisive, even and beautiful movements.

Hoang Thi Phuong - a female student who opened a free martial arts class. Photo: Huy Thu

Looking down from Nguu Tu Pagoda, seeing Phuong's martial arts class, few people would think that the person teaching the class in the temple yard is a high school girl. Phuong said that this is the second martial arts class she has opened in over a year. The first class had more than 30 students. Although at first she was still confused about the organization and training, Phuong did better and better. The spread of the positive meaning of the martial arts class at the pagoda has attracted many people's attention, so when Phuong opened the second martial arts class in October 2018, the number of students attending increased.

In these martial arts classes, Phuong is the only coach, so she has to take on all the tasks from managing the number of students, to expertise, techniques... She focuses on teaching basic martial arts moves (strike, arm strikes, kicks, punches, blocks...), and martial arts exercises... "I have tried my best to open and maintain the martial arts class with my passion for martial arts. Through this activity, I want to send everyone a message about sports, especially to guide children to learn martial arts to improve their health, improve their physical strength, and increase learning and exchange" - Phuong shared.

Free martial arts class taught by Phuong at Nguu Tu Pagoda. Photo: Huy Thu

In Thanh Chuong, there are many martial arts clubs, but Phuong's martial arts class is quite special, because this is a completely free martial arts class. As a female student who works as a martial arts teacher, although her professional level is still modest, Phuong has organized the class with all her enthusiasm, using all that she has learned to teach the students. Watching Phuong conduct the class and carefully correct each movement, stance, and hand grip of each person, one can understand the heart of this young coach.

Nguyen Thi Ha, a 12th grader at Nguyen Canh Chan High School who studies martial arts at Nguu Tu Pagoda, said: “I have been studying this martial arts class since the beginning and I see that Phuong is very enthusiastic. After more than a year of studying here, from a shy girl, I have become stronger and more confident. The martial arts class has brought me joy and confidence in life.”

Female students in a martial arts class. Photo: Huy Thu

Talking to Phuong about her brainchild, she did not hesitate to talk about her worries and concerns: At first, she only thought of opening a class to continue the interrupted martial arts teaching work at the pagoda, but when the class was born, more difficulties arose.

First of all, my professional level is limited, while my friends' learning needs are increasing. Every time I take my friends to Vinh City to take the belt exam, I am really confused. However, Phuong still affirms: "I will try my best to maintain this martial arts class, hoping that in the future there will be some brothers with the same aspirations who will cooperate with me in instructing martial arts students."

Phuong said: "I have tried my best to open and maintain the martial arts class with my passion for martial arts." Photo: Huy Thu

It is known that, in addition to teaching martial arts at the temple, Phuong also participated in establishing a charity club, calling on everyone, especially martial arts students, to join hands to connect kind hearts through activities such as donating, buying martial arts uniforms to give to poor friends, giving books to students in difficult circumstances...

At school, Phuong is an active and enthusiastic Youth Union Secretary in the school's external activities, especially in the arts movement. When asked about the secret to balancing the two activities of studying at school and teaching martial arts at the temple, Phuong shared: "I consider studying culture at school as my main activity, and teaching martial arts as my passion. However, to perform both tasks well at the same time, I have to arrange my time reasonably."

Nguu Tu Pagoda is under construction after more than half a century, only a vestige remains. Phuong's opening of a martial arts class attracting a large number of martial arts students here has brought a new atmosphere to the pagoda. Master Thich Thong Dat - abbot of Nguu Tu Pagoda affirmed: "Teaching martial arts at pagodas has existed since ancient times, but a female student like Hoang Thi Phuong opening a martial arts class at the pagoda is truly a rare event. Although it has not been in operation for long, this martial arts teaching has had practical significance in building a loving image of the village pagoda and has contributed significantly to the revival of the martial arts movement, health training, and martial arts spirit in the locality".