Leong Su Zhen

Discover SIM GE SHE was a knock-out at the Tae Kwon Do Open Championship in March 2014 at Nanyang Technological University. Leong Su Zhen, 26, from the SIM-RMIT Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) programme, won her gold medal (Under 56kg category) with a knockout against her NTU opponent. The petite bundle of energy who holds a Black Belt 3rd Dan (a rare accomplishment) and able to deliver high kicks (pictures above) and lightning punches, aspires to be - an accountant! There’s nothing wrong with that, although checking spreadsheet figures may not give the same adrenalin rush as a sparring session in the ring. Su Zhen has been practising Taekwondo 跆拳�", a Korean martial art sport known for spectacular kicks, since K2 (yes, kindergarten days). “I received my Junior Black Belt when I was in Primary 3,” she says. “In competition,” she explains, “it’s a mind game. You have to read your opponent’s next move and react correctly and in time. If you read wrongly, you get hit. “I train twice a week for at least two hours each session. Whether in training or competition, I will feel the impact on my body and there will be bruises and aches. TKD has taught me endurance and toughened my mind, so that I don’t give up even when I’m injured and losing points.” And in between kicks and punches, she also smashes tiles and planks. She said at the NTU Open Championship (intervarsity and polytechnic teams), she beat her first opponent with a 12-point lead and her second opponent with a knockout. (The contestant is declared the winner if she knocks out the opponent or gains a 12-point lead.) But the plucky girl admits that she is not that good, when compared with national players. “Even before the contest at the national level, I was already feeling a little afraid, and I lost by the same 12 points.” Su Zhen holds a Diploma in Telecommunications from Temasek Poly and worked for two years in satellite transmission. But she felt the job was too niche, and so she took up accountancy at RMIT. “The course that I enrolled in has given me a chance to pursue my career dream,” she adds. “I hope to be working in a managerial position and leading a team that can help the company achieve its goals. I want to be a part of a company’s growth, to be involved with the CEO and senior managers.” Besides books and figures and assignments and examinations (academic demands are almost endless), Su Zhen helps out in SIM’s TKD Club and gives pointers to other members in their practice sessions. CCA participation is important, she says, because it allows students to interact with one another, and learn and develop social and leadership skills. “Just as in secondary school, SIM should perhaps consider making it compulsory for all students in its campus to join at least one CCA,” she suggests. - Interview, published online, April, 2014 Su Zhen (centre, on the highest platform) wins gold at the intervarsity TKD Open Championship at NTU campus in March 2014