Last Updated on December 14, 2012.
Determination, discipline, focus, desire and heart are some of the attributes we associate with our TSMMA fighters. These attributes can also be associated with any Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts student. Sophia Lowenberg has demonstrated these fighter attributes whether training on the mat or playing on the soccer field.
Determination, discipline, focus, desire and heart are some of the attributes we associate with our TSMMA fighters.
Three years ago at the age of 5 years old, Sophia made Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts history by becoming the youngest student to ever achieve a black belt and the title of Sempai.
Sophia was not your average five-year-old little girl; she is an accomplished Black Belt. When she was home, instead of playing with dolls or watching TV, she pretended she was an instructor and taught a martial arts class, and she practiced her kicks, punches and boxing combinations. While kids ran and played at recess at school, Sophia could be found practicing her push-ups.
Sophia had a goal to be the best, to achieve her goals and dreams of becoming a Sempai. With this came blood, sweat, tears, desire, focus and heart, as Sensei Nick Demetrius, Head Instructor of TSMMA Stamford, trained Sophia to be strong mentally, and physically from day one of her training
Sophia had a goal to be the best, to achieve her goals and dreams of becoming a Sempai.
When it was decided that she would be a black belt candidate, he made sure to give her that extra push that she needed. Sensei Demetrius knew what she would be up against, and all the obstacles she would have to overcome, and as her instructor, he wanted to make sure she was prepared.
He accomplished this by having her train with classmates who were older, stronger and bigger. Even when her adorable little eyes would well up with tears, he would push her and make her keep going. He saw the bigger picture that she was learning is a life skill. She was not only learning how to defend herself, but also in addition, training her mind and body to keep going when her body was ready to give up. All these essential skills would eventually be the key to what made it possible for her to prepare and achieve her goal of becoming a black belt.
Three years later, her strong martial arts foundation and fighter qualities have proven in helping Sophia shine and dominate the soccer fields. Currently, Sophia is playing on with travel soccer team and the premier development team for English Premier team Everton Football Club.
Three years later, her strong martial arts foundation and fighter qualities have proven in helping Sophia shine and dominate the soccer fields.
Currently, at 8 years old, Sophia has walked away with more than just the black belt, which she wears around her waist. She walked away with life skills that have helped her excel in other aspects of her life like education where she applies her focus, discipline and determination to her studies as well as on the soccer field.
Coach John Hall, Sophia’s soccer coach shared his thoughts about Sophia:
I have been Sophia’s soccer coach for more than a year, and what I notice about Sophia is she is a very determined player. She was playing up two age groups for travel soccer U9 team when she was 7, and was way more aggressive and determined than everybody else on the team.
Currently, she is now on an U10 team at the age of 8, and still competes physically and mentally with girls who are bigger and stronger. Her mom stated she trains in mixed martial arts and you can certainly see that in her character as a player. If she is hurt or tired she will still continue to give 100%. With this comes agility and balance, her upper body strength and balance are excellent, her marital art training has played an integral part in improving these attributes. She is my go to player, which I can count on to play a full hour of a soccer game due to her discipline, cardio conditioning as well as her commitment with out any water breaks.
He has taught her to believe in herself, push herself beyond pain, fear of failure as well as always testing herself and raising that bar.
I would like to express my gratitude to Sensei Demetrius for all his time and hard work over the years. His patience and teaching style in training Sophia and is continuing commitment and dedication to her as well as all of his students is a gift.
He has given my daughter a gift that not even, I as a parent could have possibly offered her, which is teaching her self defense which as a female she will always have as a tool should she need to protect herself in the future. But more importantly, he has taught her to believe in herself, push herself beyond pain, fear of failure as well as always testing herself and raising that bar. One of the qualities many people comment on is there is not anything she can’t do, especially if she challenged. She will show you she can accomplish anything by raising her bar and game to meet whatever obstacles is in her way to achieving her goals.
For that I will always be grateful to Sensei Demetrius for what he has done for my little girl.
