Elite Athlete and Hospitality Management Student Chahrazed: “Past Losses Are Part of My Story, but They Do Not Define Me.”

Chahrazed’s passion for taekwondo began in early childhood. “It’s quite an interesting story,” she laughs.

While walking in Sörnäinen with her family as a preschooler, Chahrazed noticed people training through the windows of the Helsinki Taekwondo Club. The practitioners, dressed in white uniforms and training on a brightly colored red-and-blue mat, immediately caught her attention. “I always wanted to run in there,” she recalls.

One day, her father surprised her and her sister by taking them to a taekwondo practice session. “That’s how it all started.”

Studies Bring Balance to Everyday Life as an Athlete

At Laurea, students do not have to choose between sport and education. Elite athletes can build personalized study plans and receive flexibility in scheduling, study arrangements, and course completion. Studying alongside goal-oriented training supports athletes’ mental well-being and helps prepare them for life after their sporting careers.

For Chahrazed, starting her studies has also brought balance to her life. “I can finally put effort into my studies alongside my athletic career, and that brings balance to my life.”

During her gap years, her focus was largely on sport. “It became an obsession in a way, and it only increased the pressure,” she explains.

Based on her experience, the flexibility of teachers and fellow students, guidance in planning studies, and the ability to adapt studies to the demands of training play an important role in successfully building a dual career. “I really enjoy this combination,” she says.

Presence and Calm Lead to the Best Performance

“I see all martial arts as very beautiful and spiritual sports,” Chahrazed says.

According to her, taekwondo brings together the body, mind, and soul. “Whenever I haven’t been fully present, things have gone badly in competitions or training. At that point it’s no longer taekwondo, but simply competition, pressure, stress, and anxiety.”

The amount of taekwondo training varies depending on the season. During development periods, Chahrazed trains four days a week, with both morning and evening sessions. Her routine also includes full-body strength training twice a week, in addition to competition travel. Meditation and grounding exercises help her stay focused on the present moment and improve body awareness and control.

The most challenging part of everyday life is finding energy for training after a long and demanding school day. What helps, however, is her mindset. “I think of the human heart as an engine fueled by love and joy. That helps me keep going, even on difficult days.”

Setting Her Sights on International Competition

In addition to her Finnish championship titles, Chahrazed has won two Nordic championships and several G-level international competitions. Her sights are now set on the European Championships, World Championships, and ultimately the Olympic Games.

According to Chahrazed, achieving ambitious goals requires the ability to let go of the past. “Past losses and mistakes are part of my story. They teach me, but they do not define me.”

She also encourages young athletes to embrace new opportunities and consider higher education alongside their sporting careers.

“I encourage everyone to be adventurous,” Chahrazed says. “Stay open-minded, because you never know what doors may open for you.”