Back (L-R): Master Ali Koubeissi, Master Hameed Dakroub, Zeinab Koubeissi, Zeinab Baalbaki. Front (L-R): Zayn Hojeije, Zeinab Kanso, Ali Obeid.

DEARBORN — Since 1989, the Koubeissi Taekwondo School in Dearborn has elevated its students to the top by refining their full physical and mental potential.

Taekwondo is an evolving sport, involving new techniques and more than just physical exercise. It targets specific problems children and adults have, like health issues, anxiety, ADHD, low confidence and more.

“Some kids come to me because they don’t behave at school,” Master Ali Koubeissi, founder of the Koubeissi Taekwondo School, said. “Other people come to me because they have blood disorders.” 

Koubeissi uses martial arts as the basis to solve diverse problems students have. In one instance, he taught a blind 4-year-old student taekwondo, but admitted he was nervous at first. 

“I thought, ‘How am I going to teach him?'” he said. “And then, believe it or not, he taught me how to teach him.”

Koubeissi is vice president of the Michigan Taekwondo Martial Arts Commission and a former national and international martial arts champion.

On March 26, six of his taekwondo students finished strong at the Michigan State Martial Arts Commissioner’s Championship. They had the same goal Koubeissi had when he was in their place— to become champions.

Koubeissi prepares his students for tournaments by seeking the best for them.

“I always seek the best training, best education, best equipment and anything they need— from nutrition to physical and mental health,” he said. “I also go to a lot of seminars to learn new techniques, the shortest lasting nine hours.”

At the championship, the students were placed in different divisions based on their age, weight and belt ranks.

Koubeissi’s daughter, Zeinab Ali Koubeissi, who won first place in the Junior Sparring Division, feels pressure before every match, but not from her father.

“I always feel pressure before a match because I don’t know who my opponent is,” she said. “When I’m on those infamous red and blue Taekwondo mats, my heart starts to beat fast, to the point where I can no longer keep up.”

However, her father’s presence as coach reduces the pressure.

“My father always helps me focus,” she said. 

Zeinab Baalbaki, second place winner in the World Class Cadet Sparring Division, felt scared during the tournament.

“I was scared of losing,” Baalbaki said. “But, I was also scared of my opponent being taller than me because I wasn’t sure how high I could kick.”

However, Zeinab Kanso, first place winner in the Youth Sparring Division, had no fear. 

“It was easy,” Kanso said. 

Taekwondo is not only fun to her, but also beneficial. 

“It helps me with self-defense and respect,” she said.

Koubeissi believes taekwondo is important for both girls and boys. Many parents tell him it’s not for girls because it makes them manly. However, he believes the sport only boosts a girl’s confidence and helps her face the real world on her own, especially with bullying on the rise.

“I always ask parents, ‘Who is going to defend her if someone bullies her or tries to hurt her?'” he said. “She has to be tough and well-educated.”

The final three taekwondo state champions were males. 

Ali Obeid, first place winner in the Tiger Sparring Division for males with red belts, was nervous because it was his first time in the state championships. 

“I was so nervous and scared I was going to lose,” Obeid said. “I could only focus on the person I was fighting and I used the kicks I learned from class.”

Zayn Hojeije, first place winner in the Tiger Sparring Division for males with black belts, enjoyed the experience.

“I felt good,” Hojeije said. 

As to how the sport benefits him personally, Hojeije said it helps him focus at school and defend himself.

Hameed Dakroub, first place winner in the Senior Sparring Division, with a fourth-degree black belt, is heading to nationals once again. 

Dakroub, a 26-year-old attorney and taekwondo master, started learning the sport at the age of 5. He has won multiple awards, reaching the nationals many times, but his ultimate dream is the Olympics.

“It would be ideal to be the Olympic champion,” he said. “But first, I have to win Nationals.”

Koubeissi added that the gym could be the first in Michigan to win the Nationals.

“We’ve been trying, but we might have a chance this year,” he said.

When Koubeissi’s students become adults, many manage to become taekwondo masters and finish their education, like Dakroub did. 

“I always tell my students to be masters, be grand champions and finish your education,” he said. “Taekwondo helps ,but you need to bring money home.”

Koubeissi teaches all levels, from toddlers to seniors of all weight ranges. Some think their weight does not qualify them to learn Taekwondo, but that’s not the case. 

He clarified that it doesn’t matter how skinny people are or how chubby they are because they will be placed in a weight division that fits them.

“You don’t have to be shy about yourself,” he said. “Taekwondo is for everyone.”