Philippa Thorpe
We’ve been following Philippa Thorpe’s taekwondo career for a while and we wanted to share it with you too. Here Pip speaks so candidly about how much taekwondo means to her and how she’d be lost without it. Can you relate? Do you have something that makes you feel like this? Share it with us if you do, we’d love to hear about it.
Philippa is 17 and comes from Wiltshire, England.
How old were you when you started taekwondo and why did you start?
I was 11 years old when I first started Freestyle (ITF) Taekwondo, and more recently 16 years old when I began training in WT Taekwondo too. I'd tried other sports and was in a very sports-focused primary school, however, I was not a fan of doing any exercise at all back then – swimming, cricket or ballet. I had low self-confidence so I wanted to try something more aggressive, something that might help me get any anxiety out. My dad actually used to do taekwondo when he was younger and so I think it was quite a natural decision for my parents to enrol me when a club began training out of my school.
Other than taekwondo, I absolutely love going skiing (I'm never really on the actual piste though!), getting the same rush of adrenaline I get when I land a high scoring kick. Other than that, I don't play any other sports on a recreational or competition level, only at college where I do the compulsory ones for my course.
What do you like about taekwondo?
My favourite physical aspect within the sport is the sparring and weapon patterns training, as it's the only non-structured areas where I get to express myself, using my own style. However, in saying that, I do enjoy the structure and discipline it offers me and the confidence I've gained as well, whether that was by my own doing or how the sport has shaped me into having a more positive mindset.
How did you find going through your teens whilst being active in taekwondo?
Education in any form was never my thing until college, so having taekwondo was something that I could focus on, look forward to, to get me through.
Going through my teenage years (as I still am), particularly when I was struggling with mental health and other issues, my sport was a constant amongst everything. With instructors who cared and understood me, giving me the attention and time, I needed, and continuing to do so, gave me a set time each week to relax and rest, getting rid of any anger in a safe and supporting environment. Those at taekwondo have become like a family to me, as we're so close knit.
Tell us about successes - tournament wins, new achievements…
From medalling twice at National Competitions, to earning silver at the GTI British Championships, I've gained 13 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze podium places within the last five years in 18 competitions. Recently, I was invited to a Team GB Development Squad Trial in my WT Taekwondo, which was an amazing achievement in itself.
In March 2022 I had the opportunity to go out to Dubai, UAE to train and teach Freestyle Taekwondo alongside various world champions and Olympians, as a result of my teaching efforts and performance within my Academy.
I've had bad competitions where I try my hardest, not winning anything and returning with nothing but injuries, yet those are the times which teach you the best lessons of discipline and dedication. The times which push you further within a sport, such as me in taekwondo, are usually the ones which feel like a brick wall. They make you want to make a comeback, prove everyone (coaches, instructors, teammates, etc.) you're worth their time and effort.
Have you ever thought about giving up? What keeps you going?
I have thought about giving up too many times to count, every time I just think that I can’t let my hard work go to nothing just because I've had a bad day/week. Frankly, I'd struggle without it and the structure and expression it gives me.
How does taekwondo make you feel?
When I train and compete I feel alive and powerful (especially when I beat much stronger, experienced guys!), even when I have those bad training sessions or competitions. In those moments I know my students I teach are looking up to me as a role model in my performances and attitude. With this in mind I try my best to remain positive and respectful in each situation.