Back to the Tatami
Sarah is not new to taekwondo. She began practicing it as a child, around 2019 and 2020, but the pandemic kept her away from training. Her journey with the sport went through a long pause, and years later, when she was invited to return, she said yes.
That was just six months ago. Since then, her progress has been steady and fast: she started training four days a week, was later selected for the preselection team, and now trains every day from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Recently, she also advanced from yellow-stripe belt to yellow belt, a recognition of her dedication and technical growth.
“I started training four days a week and then moved into the preselection team, so now I train every day to improve my skills.” — Sarah Camila García
The Most Demanding Week
Preparing for the Colombia Cup was not easy. Sarah arrived at the competition after one of her most demanding weeks. In addition to her daily training sessions, she had to make weight to fit her category, losing 3 kg in one week through nutrition, controlled rest, and intensive training.
And as if that were not enough, the day after competing she had her belt promotion exam. Two challenges in two days. She passed both with efficiency.
“It was intense because I was also preparing for my belt promotion exam, which was one day after the competition. I also had to make weight and lose 3 kilos in one week, which I managed to do quickly.” — Sarah
The Day of the Debut
The appointment was at 6:30 in the morning. The coliseum was cold and empty when Sarah arrived. Nerves, cold, and sleepiness were inevitable companions in that first moment. But when it was time to fight, Sarah found her rhythm.
In her first match, nervousness cost her the first round, but what came next showed what she was made of. She won the second and third rounds by accumulated points, even though most of her kicks aimed at the head were not scored.
The final was the most tense moment. In the middle of the fight for gold, Sarah could not find her coach in the crowd and went through a moment of crisis. Another coach approached her, guided her, and gave her the confidence she needed. She won the final. She won the gold.
“In the final for the gold medal, even though I had a crisis because I could not see my coach at first, another coach supported me and I managed to win.” — Sarah
The Stage: Colombia Cup 2026
The 2026 Colombia Taekwondo Cup was a highly competitive event. With more than one thousand athletes competing and the official support of the Colombian Taekwondo Federation, the event brought together the best leagues in the country.
The department of Boyacá was crowned overall champion of the competition. Cundinamarca ranked among the top three leagues in the tournament with 3 gold medals and 4 silver medals, while delegations such as Guaviare also earned 11 medals during the event. The presence and level of the delegations make Sarah’s medal even more valuable: this was not “just” a minor tournament.
What Renfort Makes Possible
Sarah is a Renfort student at heart because here, school did not ask her to choose between her books and the tatami. She trains every day, studies in the mornings, and competes on weekends. It is a rhythm that few conventional educational systems could support.
In her own words, what she values most about studying at Renfort is exactly that: balance. Not having to sacrifice one part of her life in order to sustain the other.
“It makes me feel supported and happy to be able to balance my time between school and training. I think it is great that the school supports us in that.”
— Sarah
That balance is not a coincidence. It is personalized education in its most concrete form: a flexible model that recognizes that children and young people have lives, talents, and passions that deserve space.
What Comes Next for Sarah
This gold medal is only the beginning. Sarah has two more competitions coming up and a clear goal: to go as far as her teacher, who is currently qualified for the Pan American Games.
With six months of training, a gold medal in her official debut, and a discipline that impresses, Sarah Camila García has already shown that she has everything it takes to get there.
We will continue following her closely. Every fight, every medal, every step. Because when a seed wins, Renfort celebrates.
Congratulations, Sarah! Renfort is with you.
