San Diego Police Sgt. Ben Kelso was off duty yesterday but he had his hands full policing things at the California State Games' taekwondo event at USD's Jenny Craig Pavilion.
As a vice president of the California Taekwondo Association and director of yesterday's CTA-sanctioned event, Kelso, 38, was in charge of children and adults wearing belts of many colors as they sparred at the Cal State Games.
And then there was Brandyn Kelso, who lost his afternoon match but didn't seem the least bit disappointed. Though just 9, Brandyn is becoming well-versed in the ideology of taekwondo – especially its quest for commitment, discipline and effort – from his father.
"Taekwondo is an individualized sport, so you're all on your own out there," said Ben Kelso, who runs the KYK Taekwondo Center in Normal Heights.
Kelso has 30 years of martial arts experience and calls taekwondo "part of my being, who I am."
"It has definitely enriched my life," said Kelso, a fifth-degree black belt. "Martial arts is a discipline that takes diligent practice and years of study. It gives you an opportunity to learn, grow and develop self-confidence. Just like in life, you've got to learn to accept the pitfalls in the ring and roll with the punches."
With hundreds of participants, from beginner to elite, showing their martial arts style on the six mats spread on the gym floor, dozens of officials keeping score, coaches offering last-minute tips and groups of fans cheering in the stands, the venue was hopping.
"There's been a tremendous amount of improvement in this event since Ben Kelso took over the games three years ago," said CTA President Randy Chambliss of Torrance. "I've been (a part of the Games) for five years, and we've had as many as 200 athletes before. Now we have almost 400."
Dr. Jimmy Kim, a 1988 Olympic gold medalist in the men's heavyweight division for the USA, was there to lend support to students from his taekwondo club in Laguna Niguel and to take in the action.
"We need more quality events such as this one so the athletes can hone their skills and improve," said Kim, the CTA's director of athlete development. "As far as prestige, this event is a big one. It's part of teaching respect, courtesy and confidence."
Kelso, who patrols the Southeast area of San Diego and has been a police officer since 1990, makes time in his schedule to teach at the KYK Center and spearhead events like the Cal Games.
"Life is hard, things get hard," Kelso said. "Taekwondo helps teach kids that even when things get tough, you can't give up. Life is difficult, but we can overcome the hard times. I want to help them learn how to adapt and not to quit."
Karen Pearlman is a Union-Tribune news assistant.
