Rotational physio Becky Sheppard picks up gold and silver medals at Tang Soo Do championships in USA
NHS physiotherapist Becky Sheppard won two gold medals and one silver medal at the 2022 Tang Soo Do championships, which were held in June in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Becky, 25, began working in with people in intensive care with respiratory conditions after graduating in 2020 – shortly after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic – and found practising the martial art on a regular basis helped her to deal with the physical and mental stresses she encountered.
Becky, who picked up her medals in the weapons, sparring and ‘forms’ categories respectively, now supports patients who need rehabilitation after a stroke or injury. She said: ‘Working in the NHS during the pandemic was a particularly stressful time and it could take its toll emotionally. It is a very rewarding role and we often see people make recoveries over time.
‘But we also saw young, healthy people become very poorly and some would not make it. It was hard. I found Tang Soo Do helped me to focus on the moment, release physical and mental stress and generally sleep better at night.’
[Working in the NHS] was hard. I found Tang Soo Do helped me to focus on the moment, release physical and mental stress and generally sleep better at night [Becky Sheppard]
Black belts: a family affair
Becky first took up Tang Soo Do, the origins of which lie in Korea, with her sister Alice, when she was six. Her parents, who later took up the sport themselves, found it helped to improve their ‘high-energy’ daughter’s concentration at school. She took a break from the martial art as a teenager but returned a few years later. Becky, Alice and their mum have all gained their black belts.
Becky, who has reached the rank of E Dan, 2nd degree, qualified for the world championships at a UK competition earlier this year, where she dissatisfied with her performance. She explained: ‘Sometimes life gets in the way and we all have our ups and downs. I remember I’d had a particularly difficult week at work and didn’t concentrate fully or perform at my best. But that’s life and it was a motivation to pick myself up, make more time for myself and make sure I would be better next time.'
Becky worked with instructor Master Kristian Reed to improve her technique before heading off to the USA with more than 100 other Team GB members. She competed in the Female 2nd Dan Black Belt category and the team brought back the overall male and female Grand Champion trophies.
Becky, an assistant instructor at a club in Bristol, said: ‘I enjoy competing as it gives me a goal to work towards and winning a world title has certainly been a highlight. Competing encourages you to push yourself physically and mentally, as well as providing an opportunity to travel and meet new people. But I also enjoy the art itself, which promotes respect, discipline and self-defence,’ she added.
The Way of the Dragon
Tang Soo Do is one of the oldest martial arts systems and promotes self-defence, physical and spiritual health and all-round personal development. Martial arts film star Chuck Norris is a student of the art and displayed his prowess in films such as the classic 1970s film The Way of the Dragon with Bruce Lee.
For more information about Becky’s local Tang Soo Do club, visit: https://www.facebook.com/BrentryTangSooDo/
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