MIT champion athlete on a timetable to succeed

Tuesday, 08 May 2007

Daniel Thompson is definitely going places – specifically to Canada for the taekwon-do world championships this month – but first he has to complete his assignments for Manukau Institute of Technology’s Diploma in Applied Sport and Recreation.

The full time student and national and Oceania middleweight sparring title holder is used to balancing academic and sporting demands, with a timetable that manages to schedule in some time off every Sunday for surfing or horse-riding. Even meal times are an exercise in discipline with Daniel eating six precisely-measured meals a day and becoming a skilful sushi maker in the process.

“I’m going to be competing in the individual sparring and team events at the world champs,” says Daniel, also known as DJ. “That means training at high intensity six days a week starting with a run at 6.30am. Next comes an hour of pad sparring, then 20 minutes of sprints which is great practice for the explosive techniques when you have to move quickly with full power.”

After that the Waiuku resident begins his day as an MIT student with six hours of classes four days a week. Late afternoons are taken up with more training – this time it’s a cardiovascular workout on the treadmill and one hour of free sparring fully kitted out in feet and hand pads and mouth guard.

“The team events are made up of power breaking when you break boards with your hands and feet. Next are special techniques like flying and overhead kicks, followed by team sparring when we go one-on-one with members of other teams. We also compete in team patterns when five of us move in unison. Obviously it’s important to keep in time but we’re also judged on our power and self-confidence or pride in ourselves.”

According to Sport and Recreation lecturer Mihi Wills, Daniel has plenty of reasons to feel proud. “He was the top student for his class in the 2006 certificate year and is continuing this year of study in great form. DJ is definitely one of the students I expect to go on and complete a degree – he has more than enough potential.”

The strong industry focus of the diploma has already helped Daniel secure his goal of coaching others in the sport. "I'm setting up some work in a gym in Canada once I've finished the course at the end of this year. I've been in this sport since I was eight and this is the career for me. I’m 100% committed.”

The taekwon-do world championships take place every two years and New Zealand has placed in the top four in the past two championships. This year more than 2000 competitors from 40 counties will compete over four days from 29 May.

About MIT

Manukau Institute of Technology is one New Zealand’s largest polytechnics. It offers more than 100 formal programmes at degree, diploma and certificate level and has a student population of around 32,000. Established in 1970 as the country’s first purpose built polytechnic, MIT delivers vocational education and training. With a workforce of 900, MIT is one of the biggest employers in the Counties Manukau region. Manukau City is New Zealand’s fastest growing metropolis.

ENDS

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