One route to take, for those who dream of greatness

The Providence Journal

Friday, June 13, 2003 — Have you ever dreamed of becoming an Olympic champion? That is the question that started it all for Master Sayed Najem 20 years ago, and it is the same query he now poses to his students when they enter the Superior Tae Kwon Do Academy on Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston.

Surely, it would seem, every young boy or girl has fantasized at least once about attaining such a goal. But as Najem believes, for some, such a dream can be realized through the sport ofTae Kwon Do.

Officially and technically a master of his craft, Najem is recognized the world over as an elite martial artist. Yet to most residents of the Ocean State, he is simply just another guy teaching kicks and flips.

For some reason, since he moved to Rhode Island three years ago from his native Canada, Najem's many medals, titles, and past accomplishments have seemingly been eclipsed by his humble nature and convenient location.

Of Phoenician decent and raised in America's neighbor to the North, Najem grew up much the same way many of the most successful boxers in the United States did as a young man fraught with passion and in search of a cause to fight for.

In talking about his adolescence spent in Edmonton, Najem refers to his surroundings as "The Projects." As a teenager, much like the Karate I Kid, Daniel LaRusso, Najem found a refuge from his abrasive surroundings in the martial arts. At 13, Najem met a Miyagi-like mentor who would inspire, enlighten and prepare him to achieve greatness. Min Hyung Keun, a Korean trainer and world-renowned master in his own right, took Najem under his wing as a feisty, green youngster and gave him the opportunity to work towards reaching his goal.

"After only a few months, my coach made it clear to me that I had raw talent and that I could be a champion if I wanted to be," Najem said. "It was at that point that 1 actually set a target for myself, which was getting to the 1988 Olympics."

It was a goal that many dream of, but few achieve. Nevertheless, because of Najem's dedication and drive, he received an invitation to Seoul to showcase his athletic prowess. To the amazement of his family, Najem, only 17 and after just three and a half years of training, was headed to the Olympics to represent his country on an international stage.

Following the Olympics, he returned to Canada where he continued to hone his skills under the tutelage of his loyal friend and confidant. It was the time he spent with Keun, learning many of life's lessons as well as the those related to Tae Kwon Do, that allowed Najem to truly appreciate his success and mature as a man.

"I did not have any money when I came to Master Keun as a young boy, but he saw potential in me and consequently he took care of me."

Keun not only helped Najem further learn the art of Tae Kwon Do, he supported him emotionally, spiritually and financially.

As a teenager, Najem spent his days divided among school, work, and training. After attending school during the day, he would work for minimal wages at "dead-end jobs" for "pocket money" and then spend his nights training. Weekends were also devoted to time spent in the gym. Throughout his training, however, Najem never lost sight of the importance of education.

"School is very important. Whether I end up as a world champion or not, my education always came first, and that is something that I stress at my school."

For Najem, it was essential to obtain a college degree in addition to pursuing his athletic endeavors. And so, with the same intensity of purpose that he applied to learning Tae Kwon Do, he went on to earn a degree in business and marketing from Algonquin College in Ottawa. All the while he continued his training and competition.

Now in his mid-20s and with his education in place, Najem was able to establish himself as a world champion fighter. Over the course of his career he became a gold medallist at the Pan American Games, a two time Olympian with a silver medal, a two-time Tae Kwon Do silver medallist at the World Championships and a l0-time Tae Kwon Do Nation Champion. The man has seen it and done it all, but now, at 33, with his competitive days behind him, he wants to pass along his skills just as his mentor had done - to the next generation.

At present, Najem is assembling two 10 to 12-member teams - separate squads for men and women - to take to the Summer Olympics in 2008. He currently has two standout athletes, a boy and a girl, to lead each team, and he is searching for additional young Olympic hopefuls."

Heading the teams are 13 year-old Gian Palmisciano, of East Greenwich, and 17-year old Anisha Gibbs, of Providence. Both are highly skilled, and have successfully competed in a number of national events.

A modest man, Najem has created a family atmosphere at his gym. His fundamental mission entails imparting the most essential elements of Tae Kwon Do to those interested in learning: courtesy, respect, perseverance, confidence, excitement, sincerity, self-control and self-esteem. And first and foremost: loyalty. After all, it was loyalty that Master Keun showed in taking Najem in and allowing him I to realize his dreams of becoming a legend in the Tae Kwon Do field. Accordingly, it is loyalty that Najem is attempting to teach other youthful, exuberant athletes willing to learn and prepared to test themselves mentally and physically.

Asked if he could deliver one I message to prospective students, Najem said: "To anyone who wants to achieve greatness: Do not permit obstacles to get in your way."

Whether you envision success in athletics or in life, Najem's words could easily serve as the mantra of all dreamers.

Image from the Article:

SYMMETRY: Sayed Najem goes through training routine with student Anisha Gibbs.