djchris

Cancer and taekwando may make a rather odd combination, but not so for 15 children who are using the martial art as a form of therapy for their cancer.

The Assisi Hospice, where the kids are patients, claims this is a world first.

Executing martial art moves, they look like most children their age, but some suffer from leukemia, while others have tumours of various kinds.

Aged between 4 and 20, they have been practicing the sport of taekwondo once a week since November last year.

Cancer patient Daeng Herryadi said, "Usually when you have cancer you are just resting at home, eat and sleep, so when you we do exercising, we sweat, so it really help us to feel like we are fit.?

Besides being therapeutic, the new hobby has brought them tremendous joy.

Petra Anna Jasmine added, "I love doing all the kicks and punches, because I am a tiger taekwando warrior."

Echoing fellow patients, Inshera Diana said, "Interesting because, like a lot of movements, and also you are doing exercising.?

The parents too vouch for the sport's benefits.

Parent Zaifariq Rapan said, "The instructor is well-trained here so they are professional in taekwando, we don't have to worry anything about this.?

Another parent, Sophie Mirosevic Sorgo said, “We were very excited and her younger brother was most jealous and wanted to join in as well, so it has really been a great thing."

Still, precautions were taken by the sports body running the programme.

Milan Kwee, President, Singapore Taekwando Federation "We have modified the programme so we try to avoid any sparring contact for the time being.

The Federation has also highlighted the programme to the world body which is now promoting it to other countries.

The President added the cancer-kids are an inspiration, even for the able-bodied exponents of taekwondo.

The new activity even got staff of the Assisi Hospice into the act - like Sister Linda who got her black belt in the 1970s, "Now I am coming back because of our kids. This is my first comeback in almost 30 years.?

Fun aside, the children will be performing on 24th February, at the launch of the Hospice's Teddy Bank Drive.

And the children say they will continue with the sport even after the performance. - CNA/fz

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