Sports
Challenge ourselves both intellectually and physically to achieve our personal best.
Canoe Polo Team
The canoe polo team performed well this school year in three national contests and one international competition in Malaysia. The team took first place 7 times, second place 4 times, and third place once. At the competition in Kuala Lumpur, our team members competed with 8 teams over three consecutive days, and won a gold and a bronze medal.
Basketball Team
Our basketball team made it to the quarter-finals in the Senior High Basketball League this year, and hosted several exhibition games. We had friendly matches with Singapore Temasek Junior High School and Taipei American School. We also hosted the KCIS Cup Basketball Tournament, and invited basketball team members from Linkou and Hsinchu Campuses to compete against each other.
Triathlon Team
Different to the team sports of canoe polo and basketball, triathlons are all about the individual. Our team members need to complete 1.5km of swimming, 40km of cycling, and 10km of running. Our team members competed in three triathlon competitions this year, and won multiple places in the 15 year age group. There are also 14 new certified triathletes who completed their first races.
Swimming Team
Swimming appears to be a series of repeated movements, but it actually develops physical skills as well as cardiovascular health in students. Water sports are low-impact. The buoyancy of the water reduces the effect of body weight and facilitates the building of core strength and joint movement. Swimming promotes muscular control and the coordination of movement in students.
Karate Team
Karate is a great form of physical and mental exercise for children, teenagers, and adults. Besides the obvious benefits as a highly effective system of self-defense, it improves coordination, muscle development and concentration, builds confidence, and teaches respect, patience, and humility. The ability to focus gained by practicing karate may even contribute to improving school grades.
Karate competitions are places where karate students can step out of their comfort zones and test their skills in an intense but controlled and rewarding environment. The competitive environment teaches the participant to remain calm in a stressful situation, to stay focused and to overcome innate fears. Participation in tournaments provides our students with opportunities to challenge themselves in competition against new and unknown opponents. They learn how to win graciously, and how to lose with dignity. In addition, watching the best of the best compete in these competitions serves as motivation, and may be invaluable learning experiences. Besides the sporting aspects and character building advantages, competitions are about making friends and building team spirit. Lastly, it is a great honor to represent one’s dojo, school, or country in competition.
The KC Karate Club is more than just a sports team. Although athletes compete mostly individually, progress cannot be made without their teammates. Trust is developed and bonds of friendship are fused in the dojo that result in a close-knit community, often referred to as the karate family. Our students will continue to train hard, reap the rewards, and keep the Kang Chiao flag flying high.