Student living with dwarfism earns second-degree black belt

Rachel Sokoloff tests for her second-degree black belt at a ceremony for students of Master Chong's World Class Tae Kwon Do Centers. Sokoloff, 17, has been involved in tae kwon do for over seven years. Living with a type of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, 17-year-old Rachel Sokoloff proved again that size doesn't matter.

The Amherst Central High School junior tested for her second-degree black belt in the extremely disciplined art of tae kwon do.

Sokoloff has trained at Master Chong's World Class Tae Kwon Do Centers for more than seven years, practicing up to three times a week.

"I will say she is very energetic and positive. Even though she has physical limitations, she is able to shake that off and say 'Give these tasks, and I will do it,'" said grandmaster and school owner Sun Ki Chong. "She inspires a lot of people."

After she had a firm understanding of the fundamental and foundational skills, Sokoloff moved to the second-degree black belt. During her test, she demonstrated her proficiency on forms, sparring, self-defense and board-breaking.

With hundreds of people watching, including her classmates who were also testing, Sokoloff said she was most nervous during the pretest weigh-in.

But her nerves refrained from getting the best of her, as she successfully completed the skills examination.

"It's taught me to be more focused and disciplined, helps me get work done on time now," said Sokoloff, as she related her experience in tae kwon do to other aspects of her life.

When the teen isn't at school or sharpening her Tae Kwon Do abilities, Sokoloff said she likes practicing drums and saxophone, playing golf and hanging out with friends — with her small stature getting in the way of nothing.

"I've never really been discouraged," said Sokoloff.

Whatever adjustments need to be made, she just makes them.

"She never backs out. She just says, 'Let me do it; I can do it,'" Chong said.

The future looks promising for the high school student-athlete, as she hopes to attend the University at Buffalo for its engineering program.

For tae kwon do, Sokoloff will continue to pursue the degrees of black belt, learning the techniques of swords and perfecting her skills to take her to the next level.

e-mail: kjackson@beenews.com