Top placement guarantees sophomore Carter Lawson spot on national taekwondo team
Lawson advances to world championships for taekwondo
Along with his teammates, sophomore Carter Lawson (second from left) shows off his national championship medals. (Photo submitted by Carter Lawson)
February 24, 2016
A huge wave of relief and sense of pride overwhelmed sophomore Carter Lawson when he was awarded two medals at the USA Taekwondo National Qualifiers tournament in Pleasanton, California over President’s Day weekend. These medals were much more important than previous ones because they meant that Lawson had qualified for the world championships this July in England.
Lawson has been involved with the sport since he was four years old, acquiring his first-degree black belt last March. He has travelled around the country for tournaments, but had never attended a tournament so large in size until the national championships.
Despite the vast amount of competition compared to a normal tournament, Lawson was able to have a positive mindset going into his events.
“I was pretty nervous because it was my first really big tournament, but, when I got there, I just kind of got in the zone and really focused, especially on that day,” Lawson said. “I wanted to qualify so bad.”
In order to make it on the national team, competitors had to place in the top three divisionally in at least one of the four events: patterns, sparring, specialty breaking or power breaking. Lawson placed second in both patterns and sparring, meaning that he will compete in those events for the next tournament.
After qualifying in the two events, Lawson was able to relax.
“I just felt a huge amount of relief … and just felt proud of what I had done, but also I was looking forward to world championships, because that’s the ultimate goal,” Lawson said.
He was shocked to find out that, in addition to advancing to the world championships, he also made the USA Junior Boys Team — a prestigious team made up of six males under the age of 17.
“I was completely surprised when that happened,” Lawson said. “I had no idea I was going to make that team. It’s extremely honorable to be on that team.”
According to a teammate of Lawson’s who also qualified, freshman Matthew Turner, working together is important going into the world championships.
“Being on a team is a lot more difficult because you have to choreograph everything and make sure you’re all together. Individually, you can just do your own thing, but [on a team], you have to make sure you fit in the group,” Turner said.
As far as training goes before the next tournament, Lawson says there will be more practices than normal, some even in Alaska to meet with other members of the USA Junior Boys Team. He plans to focus on specific areas based on the tips he received from the judges during the previous tournament.
With the extra dedication to taekwondo, Lawson had to take a step back in some of his other sports.
“Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time commitment, so I had to give up lacrosse this spring season and I’m going to have to cut back on some of my soccer related activities,” Lawson said.
Looking at the bigger picture, Lawson hopes it will be worth it, as he has high expectations for the upcoming world championships.
“I think it’s going to be very competitive there, especially with Argentina, they’re very good. I also think I’m going to do pretty well. I’m hoping to place in both events,” Lawson said. “Our Junior Boys Team got first overall last year, so we’re hoping to continue that streak.”
