RABİA KHARİS

Algiers — Inside a training hall in El Kouba, a municipality of Algiers, amid loud cheers and the rhythmic sound of footsteps, Sara Haddoum, a young Algerian woman, stands with remarkable composure. Dressed in her white uniform and black belt, she carries a story of determination and resilience. Beneath her calm appearance lies the spirit of a fierce fighter. She is not simply a practitioner of martial arts for self-defense but a champion whose performances blend traditional Korean martial arts with passion and dedication.

The First Spark

Reflecting on her journey, Sara Haddoum said, "As a child, I was full of energy and enthusiasm, so my father decided to channel that energy in a positive direction by enrolling me in a sports club. I was introduced to taekwondo, which became the place where my energy was nurtured and my identity shaped from the age of 12."

Since then, Haddoum has followed an intensive training path, progressing through every belt level with determination and perseverance until earning her black belt. Rather than marking the end of her journey, it became the beginning of her professional career. She later joined a sports club as a coach, sharing her passion by training women, girls, and young children.

Developing Young Talent and Training Women

Haddoum currently coaches children aged three to five in Gym Kids and Baby Gym programs, which focus on developing basic motor skills and physical intelligence at an early age. She also teaches kickboxing classes for young women, helping them build self-confidence while learning self-defense skills.

In addition, she leads fitness classes that include general physical conditioning, aerobic exercises, and musculation (strength training and weightlifting).

Driven by her commitment to empowering women and girls, Haddoum launched a special initiative aimed at encouraging girls to embrace sports as a way to build strong personalities, increase sports awareness, and develop self-defense skills within a supportive environment.

She noted that taekwondo has recently gained significant popularity among Algerian parents, who increasingly enroll their children because of the sport's benefits. "Taekwondo is not only about physical strength," she said. "It also teaches discipline, self-control, and inner calm." Contrary to common misconceptions, Haddoum stressed that "taekwondo is a non-violent sport. Its purpose is never to harm others, but rather to teach self-defense."

Growing Awareness of Women's Sports

Algeria has produced several outstanding female taekwondo athletes at both the national and continental levels. Among them are Fatiha Anfal Hazil, a promising young champion from the Chabab Barouaguia Sports Club who has won national titles, and Anfal Mezreb, who claimed the Algerian junior girls' championship.

Haddoum concluded with a message encouraging all women to make sport a way of life. She said the growing participation of women reflects increasing awareness of the importance of physical fitness in improving both physical and mental well-being, particularly in light of the professional and family pressures many women face every day.