Lincoln Student’s Journey From Kindergarten to Black Belt

Giulia Aliseris Obara began her Taekwondo journey in kindergarten and hasn't stopped since. Now an ITF Taekwondo black belt, her inspiring story is a testament to her dedication. Learn more about one of our outstanding middle school students.

"I was in the back row. When we were in a circle with other new students, I asked how long it would take to get my black belt. Rodrigo, my teacher, said about 10 years.” That’s how Giulia Aliseris Obara, an 8th-grade student, remembers her first Taekwondo class at Lincoln led by World Champion Rodrigo Gozzano. Having begun in Kinder 5, Giulia’s almost decade of dedication culminated on June 29 at the Club Unión Vecinal Amigos de Florida Oeste (UVAFO). Her remarkable performance in the black belt exam not only earned her the rank but also made her the first woman at Lincoln to achieve this milestone.

“It’s an honor for me and it makes me very proud,” Giulia shared during an interview. Rodrigo spoke with admiration for her accomplishment: “Her career stands out for her perseverance and commitment. We are extremely proud of the progress she has made, not only technically but also as a person and emotionally.” 

Giulia's Taekwondo journey began with the unwavering support of her family, who encouraged her to learn self-defense skills. She joined the Taekwon-Do Kids program, an adaptation for younger children, and from her very first class, she was determined to excel and set an example for others. "For each exam, my mindset had to be more resistant and I had to persevere," she shared. This dedication propelled her forward.

The preparation

A surge of improvement marked the past year for Giulia. She intensified her training, increasing both the number of weekly sessions and the concentration and intensity of each one. During her holidays, she trained as much as she could during the morning in UVAFO or at night in Peru beach. “It took very long to prepare but it was worth it,” she commented.

She also dedicated almost three months to writing an essay about how the values you learn in Taekwondo are as important as the skills. Later on, weeks before the exam, she had a questionnaire of basic knowledge of Taekwondo. “We would also like to acknowledge the support and commitment of her family, which we consider essential for achieving goals such as becoming an ITF Taekwondo black belt,” Rodrigo highlighted.

The board breaking part was a great achievement for Giulia, both in terms of power and skill; being one of the most complex parts in the final stage prior to her black belt exam.Studying Taekwondo for as long as Giulia has comes with not only learning the techniques, but also taking in the most venerable principles, such as courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. “I’m most proud of my progress and all I’ve grown as an individual,” she expressed. 

Rodrigo offered his take on the importance of emotional growth, which he considers essential in life: “ Along the path of Taekwondo, we encounter great challenges that often take time to overcome. Seeing our students manage frustration and develop perseverance fills us with satisfaction that we are achieving our goals.”

What’s next?

Now, as a black belt, Giulia still trains at Lincoln twice a week. But, what are the expectations on this new stage? Being aware of her entire evolution, as well as enjoying and committing herself to the new roles and challenges that lie ahead. In the run-up to her black belt, she learned the role of examiner and from now on she is part of the team that will help evaluate lower-grade students in upcoming exams. 

She will also have the opportunity to help in the inter-school meetings held every semester, fulfilling the role of group leader.“Giulia has great leadership skills. She has been very confident and clear when explaining exercises,” Rodrigo added. Being a black belt opens up a range of new possibilities that she can choose from for her motivation and development. “To me those are opportunities to learn new things and get better and better,” she concluded.