Chulwoo was lying on the ground, gasping for breath, his whole body soaked in sweat and sore. In this new world, he had left Zack behind and was now Chulwoo Min, a boy determined to become stronger. He was in a dojo where the sounds of punches and kicks echoed, and a suffocating, unmistakable smell of sweat filled the air.
Next to him, a muscular man dressed in a taekwondo uniform looked at Chulwoo with disbelief. Hands on his hips, he shook his head slowly, as if trying to understand what he was seeing. "Wow," murmured the man, "I've taught several students over the years, but… you… kid… I've never seen anything like this."
Chulwoo, lying on the floor like a dead dog, managed to lift his head enough to look at the man in front of him, feeling a growing sense of fear and confusion. "What… is this guy murmuring about?" he wondered.
"Resistance? Flexibility? Strength? Speed?" continued the man, pausing as if he couldn't believe it. "Kid, you have… none… not even a little…" His tone grew serious. "It's like God forgot about you. You have no talent for martial arts. Sorry, kid!"
Chulwoo, incredulous, could only say, "What…?"
"I've trained small children with mediocre talent, but you… I'm afraid you're worse than them. I don't even think you can learn martial arts movements. Plus, you said you've visited 40 martial arts gyms."
That was true. Chulwoo had visited 40 gyms, and each time they had rejected him, telling him he had no talent and to give up. But he, determined, didn't give up and kept searching.
"Hey, I'm trying!" he exclaimed.
"Trying? Trying what? Kid, do you think just a little willpower is going to get you anywhere?" the man said, his voice resonating with authority that would intimidate anyone.
"Wait, I can do it! I'm willing to sacrifice everything," responded Chulwoo, his voice full of determination.
The man sighed, finally speaking seriously: "Listen, kid, I'm sorry to say, but I can't do anything for you. You're a lost case."
Angry, Chulwoo replied: "You believe I won't make it, but I will. I'll become someone strong, even stronger than anyone."
The man sighed again, dismissively. "Alright, I'll give you a chance. If you beat a 14-year-old boy who's been training for 2 months."
Chulwoo thought they were underestimating him and accepted. "But don't you dare take back your word later."
"Yeah, sure, whatever you say," the man replied with disdain.
....
Later, Chulwoo sat on a park bench, thinking about talent—or rather, the lack of it. His face felt like a punching bag, and probably it was, after all. He had lost pathetically to the 14-year-old who overwhelmed him with skills.
He sighed, remembering that he had tried all the major martial arts: karate, judo, muay thai, capoeira, jiu-jitsu, even kendo, and now taekwondo. "So, even in this life, I have no talent," he thought. "But I won't give up. I don't want to be beaten by geniuses."
He got up, determined to move on, not before changing clothes. As he walked, he muttered, "I don't give a damn about that old guy's advice about not having potential. Just wait and see what determination can do."
The next stop was a boxing gym, a place he had trouble finding. When he finally arrived, he realized the trainer was very strict, a man who didn't get easily impressed. Chulwoo approached him and, with a firm voice, asked to train.
The trainer looked him up and down with an expression of skepticism. "You? Want to train here? You need to prove you're worth it."
"I accept any challenge!" Chulwoo responded, his voice resonating with determination.
"Good," said the trainer, "you'll spar with one of my students. If you manage to land at least one punch, I'll consider training you."
Chulwoo prepared for the fight.
The gym was filled with a dense, tense atmosphere, the sound of gloves hitting bags and the echoes of motivational shouts ringing in the walls. Chulwoo was in the center of the ring, facing his opponent, an experienced boxer with an agile, precise style. Smiling confidently, his rival moved side to side, ready to take advantage of any weakness.
When the bell rang, Chulwoo felt a whirlwind of nerves and adrenaline. His mind focused on the only technique he had learned—the jab. The first round began, and his opponent launched a series of quick jabs and hooks, each punch like a lightning bolt illuminating the darkness of Chulwoo's inexperience. Every time his rival got close, Chulwoo felt overwhelmed; dodging, moving, and responding seemed a monumental challenge.
But amid the storm, Chulwoo remembered his trainer's words: "Don't give up. Every punch counts." With a titanic effort, he managed to dodge a hook aimed straight at his face, but in his attempt to retreat, he lost balance and fell to his knees. The trainer's gaze was stern, and Chulwoo knew he had to get up.
Like a zombie rising from the dead, he got back on his feet with effort, feeling energy flowing through his body again. His opponent, confident, stepped closer, ready to deliver the final blow. But at that moment, Chulwoo, with a mix of desperation and determination, threw his jab. It was an impulsive, almost involuntary move, and surprisingly, the punch connected with his rival's face.
Time seemed to stop. Chulwoo felt a surge of energy upon seeing his opponent recoil, a hint of astonishment in his eyes. It wasn't a powerful punch, much less, but he had achieved what seemed impossible. Although the punch barely made a dent, his opponent was forced to pause.
The fight continued, and although Chulwoo managed to land his jab, his opponent's confidence remained untouched. The experienced boxer smiled, as if he had found a new challenge to focus on. Moving smoothly, he launched himself back at Chulwoo, throwing a series of quick punches that seemed years ahead of Chulwoo's inexperience.
Every dodge Chulwoo needed to make felt like a challenge, and the pressure increased. Sweat ran down his forehead, and his breathing grew heavier, but at that moment, adrenaline and fear made him hesitate. "Don't give up." echoed in his mind, and he knew he had to keep fighting, even if the odds were against him.
Chulwoo tried to respond with another jab, but his opponent was prepared. A quick, accurate hook hit his abdomen, sending him backward again. The pain made him stagger, but his determination didn't leave him. He clung to the idea that every punch he took only made him stronger. He composed himself, and when his opponent approached again, he threw another jab. This time, the move was more conscious, but again, his rival anticipated and easily dodged.
The match advanced, and Chulwoo felt time stretch out. Every second became an eternity. In his mind, his trainer's voice repeated, pushing him forward. However, his opponent, with experience, started to wear him down. One punch after another, stronger and more precise. Despite his efforts, Chulwoo found himself in a lopsided fight.
With each round passing, Chulwoo's energy waned. His opponent, like a predator, perceived his weakness and attacked more aggressively. A direct punch to the chin knocked him dizzy, and the world around him turned blurry. Chulwoo felt his body move more slowly, as if trapped in a dream he couldn't wake up from. The bell sounded, but this time it wasn't relief—it was the sound of his defeat.
The last round arrived, and although Chulwoo was determined to keep fighting, his strength was leaving him. His opponent, with fluid movements and renewed confidence, began landing more powerful blows. Chulwoo tried to stay upright, but every time he tried to throw a jab, his rival responded with a counterattack that left him breathless.
Finally, after several exchanges, a precise and powerful uppercut connected to his jaw. Chulwoo felt the ground rush toward him, and in an instant, he was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling of the gym. The bell rang, but this time it wasn't relief—it was the sound of his defeat.
The referee leaned over him, counting to ten, but Chulwoo knew he couldn't get up. Though he had lost the fight, he knew that every punch and fall were part of his journey. With his eyes fixed on the ceiling, Chulwoo smiled weakly. This wasn't the end, but a new beginning. He would rise, learn, and come back stronger.
As Chulwoo lay on the mat, feeling the weight of defeat, his trainer, who had been watching with a mix of concern and pride, quickly approached him. He extended a hand, helping Chulwoo to sit up slowly. His trainer's gaze was firm, but there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
"Kid," he said in a grave but reassuring voice, "you kept your word. Now you'll learn from me, and together we'll make this a stepping stone to your success."
Chulwoo nodded, still breathing heavily but feeling a spark of hope. "How can I learn from a defeat?" he asked, voice hoarse.
"Every punch you took today, every move your opponent made, are valuable lessons," his trainer replied with a confident smile. "It's not just about winning; it's about understanding what you did well and what you need to improve. Tomorrow, you'll come back here and watch your mistakes, because there are good things in your performance. Now more than ever, it's time to work on your technique, stamina, and mindset."
Chulwoo felt a wave of gratitude toward his new trainer. "Thanks for believing in me," he murmured, struggling to stand fully. "I don't want to disappoint you."
"That's what I want to hear," his trainer said, patting him on the back. "You'll come back stronger, I know it. But for that, you need to commit. Come tomorrow at the same time. We'll have a specific session to teach you boxing from the basics to your defensive game and how to anticipate your opponent's moves."
"I will," promised Chulwoo, feeling that defeat was starting to turn into motivation. Despite the fall, he knew this was just another step in his journey.
As they left the gym, the trainer told him: "Remember, a true boxer isn't measured only by victories but by his ability to get up after falling. See you tomorrow."
And with renewed determination, Chulwoo left the gym. The defeat had been bitter, but the promise of a new beginning kept him going. He was ready to learn, grow, and return to the ring stronger than ever.
Chulwoo was excited to start his journey in boxing. With a five-day training plan in hand, he prepared to learn the fundamentals of this sport, improve his endurance, and develop essential technical skills.
On the first day, after a light warm-up jog and some stretching, Chulwoo learned the basic stance of boxing. He spent time practicing fundamental punches: jab, cross, and hook, before shadowboxing to perfect his technique. The day ended with stretching to help relax his muscles.
The second day was dedicated to agility. After a similar warm-up, Chulwoo reviewed his punches and focused on combinations on the bag. Partner drills allowed him to gauge distance and reaction time, adding a new level of challenge.
On the third day, Chulwoo focused on defense. After a jog and some jump rope, he learned to slip and block, combining these techniques in shadowboxing and with a partner. He felt more confident integrating defense into his boxing style.
Day four was sparring day. After warming up with coordination exercises, Chulwoo faced a partner in light sparring. The trainer's feedback was invaluable, helping him adjust his technique and strategy.
Finally, the fifth day was a review and assessment. After a jog and stretches, Chulwoo went over everything he had learned: punches, defenses, and techniques. He worked on the bag, aiming to improve his speed and power. At the end of the week, he reflected on his progress and set new goals to continue developing his boxing skills.
As Chulwoo advanced in his training, he not only grew physically stronger but also cultivated a passion for boxing that would motivate him to keep going.