Park family disappointed in Olympic loss but plan to be back at 2024 Paris Games
Skylar Park's voice cracked as she started to describe how much her family's support meant to her after coming up short in the women's 57-kilogram taekwondo tournament at the Tokyo Olympics.
Whether it was her brothers emulating the styles of her opponents in sparring, her dad's advice as he coached her to the Games, or her family watching back home in Manitoba, Park couldn't keep her emotions in check any longer after she was eliminated from the event's repechage bracket.
"It's disappointing when you have so much support behind you, not to get the results you want," said Park as she let tears roll down her cheeks.
A few steps away her brother Tae-ku, who had been Skylar's training partner in Tokyo, listened to his older sister. When Skylar told reporters about how much their family's support meant to her after an 18-7 loss to Taiwan's Chia-Ling Lo in the event's quarterfinal, Tae-ku leaned forward over a metal guardrail, putting his forehead on his arms to hide his face.
"He did everything from helping me warm up to getting me water and packing my bags," Skylar said of her brother. "He's been incredible."
Taekwondo is literally the family's business.
Jae Park -- Skylar's father and coach -- runs Tae Ryong Park Taekwondo and Hapkido Academy in Winnipeg, which he co-founded with his father Deuk Park in 1993.
The Parks have been aiming for Olympic glory for generations.
"The goal for me was always the gold medal, but I think realizing what it means to be an Olympian and even to be here at the Olympics surrounded by the world's best athletes is incredible," said Skylar, 22, the first member of her family to make a Games.
"The Olympic dream started with my grandpa when he was in Korea so to finally have an Olympian in the family and hopefully more to come, is very special."
Skylar had been one of the first Canadians in any sport to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. When COVID-19 protocols prevented her from travelling for competitions or even sparring with local opponents to stay sharp, her brothers stepped up, emulating the fighting styles more typical of women to help their sister stay sharp.
Jae Park said he was struggling to balance the twin roles of father and coach after his daughter's loss.
"I have to be a dad, not a coach. The coach part is over," he said. "I don't know if I'll be very objective in terms of my thinking (as a coach).
"I think that's the hard part for me overall is that balance. Push her as a coach or do I let her let my baby suffer?"
Skylar Park had beaten her Taiwanese opponent in previous matchups but struggled against the taller Lo in the Olympic quarterfinal.
Both Park and Lo started the bout cautiously, with the referee repeatedly urging them to be more aggressive. Lo scored a trunk kick with 19 seconds left in the opening round for a 2-0 lead.
Defence continued to dictate the pace in the second round, with Lo adding to her lead for an 8-2 lead after two. Park tried to be more aggressive in the final round, but Lo continued to press her advantage after they traded trunk kicks in the first 20 seconds but couldn't catch up on points.
Jae Park said it was clear to him that his daughter was shaken by the magnitude of fighting at the Olympics even though she had won gold at the Pan Am taekwondo championship this year and silver at the 2019 Pan Am Games. He said that even though Skylar had a strong third round to beat Australia's Stacey Hymer 25-15 in the round of 16 earlier Sunday, it was apparent something was off.
"As soon as she got off the mat (against Hymer) I said 'how do you feel?' and she goes, 'Dad, this is so different,"' said Jae. "She's won medals at the worlds, she's won medals at Grand Prixs, but she came off going like 'I don't know what it is it's just, I just feel like this is so much different."'
Park's loss means that Canada's Olympic medal drought in taekwondo will last at least 16 years. Karine Sergerie won silver in the martial art at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
The Park family, however, plans to be at the 2024 Paris Games in full force, with both Jae and Skylar saying that she and her two brothers will represent Canada at the next Summer Olympics.
"So next one in Paris we'll be better prepared," said Jae. "Hopefully, Canada is proud of her. I mean, as a family we are. She tried her best."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden-Trump rematch 6 months out from U.S. Election Day
Exactly six months before Election Day, Biden and Trump are locked in the first contest in 112 years with a current and former president competing for the White House. It's a race that is at once deeply entrenched and highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 campaign.
Israel closes Gaza crossing after Hamas attack and vows military operation 'in the very near future'
Israel closed its main crossing point for delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza on Sunday after Hamas militants attacked it, reportedly wounding several Israelis, while the defense minister warned of "a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza."
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.