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Disciplined fury
Published 10:43am Tuesday, May 15, 2012Most sixth graders do not have the patience, let alone the dedication, to commit to being the best at their sport.
But in Tae Kwon Do, 12-year-old Demara Bumgardner of Elbow Lake is of that rare variety that strives to be the best she can be.
Bumgardner will travel to Dallas, Texas, to participate in the National Tae Kwon Do competition from June 29 to July 4. She will be competing on July 1 in her designated class.
Bumgardner started her journey in martial arts when she was eight, working under Amanda Wach of Elbow Lake Tae Kwon Do in partnership with Fergus Falls Tae Kwon Do, led by Master Cody Fisher.
This will not be Bumgardner’s first competition as she has shined in recent action.
In Clark, S.D., Bumgardner competed against several different students, including competitors from Mexico and Puerto Rico. She took home a gold medal in sparring.
“(I was) kind of nervous to start out with, but at the end you realize how much fun it was,” she said.
Wach has described Bumgardner as a coach’s dream as she does everything that is required of her.
“Ms. Demara has always risen to the challenge that I have presented in front of her,” Wach said. “She has never whined or complained. I tell her what I expect from her and she doesn’t question it; she just does it.”
Wach helps Bumgardner train four days a week — two regular classes and two private training sessions.
Bumgardner does a lot of circuit training, including ladders, planks, flipper kicks and other martial arts moves.
“This young lady took a serious interest in the tournament,” Fisher said. “It is a big deal to have someone to qualify for the tournament and we are thrilled.”
If you want to help donate to Bumgardner’s trip, you may contact Master Fisher at Fergus Falls Tae Kwon Do or Ms. Amanda Wach at Elbow Lake Tae Kwon Do.
