Sue Keen (left) and Joss Ingram show their winning form
after claiming a gold medal at the New Zealand taekwondo
championships at Christchurch last weekend. Photo by Peter
McIntosh.
Joss Ingram did not let blindness stop her winning a
national taekwondo title last weekend.
Ingram (40) won a gold medal in the poomsae team event with
Sue Keen (30) at the World Taekwondo Federation's national
championships in Christchurch.
The two Green Island Taekwondo Club members shared the medals
in the individual event, with Keen winning the gold by 0.5
points from Ingram. The third club member to reach the podium
was Jan Scott (41), with a silver medal in the women's
fighting section.
They are the first members of the club to win a national
title since Vanessa Beel 10 years ago.
Ingram, a mother of three children, suffers from an
hereditary complaint and gradually lost her sight. She was
declared legally blind 10 years ago.
"I lost the use of the nerves at the back of my eyes and
can't send information back to the brain," she explained.
Ingram is not totally blind and can see objects 2m away. She
is able do most things but it takes a bit longer.
She is able to read a book or recipe for cooking or watch a
DVD using a magnifying monitor.
"There is nothing I can't do but it takes me a bit longer
than the average person," Ingram said. "It makes me feel like
an older person."
Her confidence was boosted when she attended Outward Bound at
Anakiwa early this year.
"They have a motto that I have taken to heart: 'There is more
in you'," Ingram said.
Ingram started taekwondo three years ago with two of her
three children - Jack (10) and Hanna (8) - to give them
confidence and keep them safe. Max (6) will start soon.
Ingram admits that it has been a battle for her to master the
sport.
Ingram has to ask the judges to give verbal instructions
because she cannot see the hand signals.
But there is a plus in being blind.
"I can't see the judges or the crowd and this keeps the
nerves away," she said.
The World Taekwondo Federation style involves contact in the
fighting section. Its rival, the International Taekwondo
Federation, has less contact.
The poomsae competition involves more subtle techniques with
hand and skilful foot placements.
Keen and Ingram have both qualified for their blue belts and
the next step is to get a black belt.
The pair received a confidence boost when asked by New
Zealand's grand taekwondo master, Peter Shaw, to make sure
they come back for next year's championships in Auckland.
Ingram has simple advice for people with disabilities.
"Do not doubt yourself. Give it a go."
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