Young Taekwondo Star Delilah Stamp Shines at National Level

Ten-year-old Delilah Stamp from Oakwood Hills has achieved remarkable success in taekwondo, recently reaching the national competitive level. A black belt at such a young age, Delilah has already accumulated numerous medals and accolades, showcasing her talent in this dynamic martial art.

Delilah’s journey in taekwondo began before she turned four. Her father, Jeremy Stamp, who has practiced the sport since childhood, plays a significant role in her training and coaching. After a spinal injury during his military service, Jeremy returned to martial arts to maintain his mobility, finding that the rigorous exercise and stretching were vital for his recovery.

In 2023, Delilah, a fifth grader at Prairie Grove Junior High School, embarked on a new chapter by competing in national tournaments. This summer, she and her father undertook a remarkable 10,000-mile road trip across the United States, participating in competitions in California and Utah. Their adventures allowed Delilah to forge friendships with fellow young athletes from various states.

One of the notable events on their journey was the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Nationals held in Salt Lake City in July. Here, Delilah excelled in multiple competitions, earning both gold and silver medals. She competed in a division for children aged 9 to 12, demonstrating her skills in various disciplines, including board breaking, fighting, and her favorite, poomsae. This choreographed sequence of taekwondo movements encompasses a range of offensive and defensive techniques.

Board breaking can be thrilling yet hazardous. Jeremy revealed that he has sustained injuries while attempting to break the solid pine boards, but Delilah has managed to avoid any serious harm. “I broke 10 boards at once,” she remarked, adding, “This is kind of scary, but I like it.”

Since her success at the AAU Nationals, Delilah has continued to thrive, winning at 15 more taekwondo tournaments, including sweeping her division and being named a grand champion. Her training began under the guidance of master Kenneth Soriano, based in Cary, and she has recently transitioned to a school in Glenview that competes on both national and international stages. There, she is expanding her skills to include backflips and acrobatics.

Delilah is set to compete next week at the AI Fitofan Cup in Dallas, where approximately 3,000 competitors from around the world will showcase their martial arts prowess. This competition is particularly unique, as it will utilize artificial intelligence for judging, an experience that Jeremy describes as novel and uncertain. “We have no idea what to expect,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Delilah and Jeremy are committed to furthering her skills and aiming for higher competitions, with aspirations of international participation. While competing at the Olympics remains a distant dream, especially since poomsae is not yet an Olympic event, they are focusing on making progress one step at a time.

Despite the pressures of competition, Delilah remains composed. She emphasizes the importance of staying focused through stretching and warm-up exercises to keep her energy levels high. “I just do it,” she stated simply, showcasing her dedication and passion for taekwondo.