Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 07:30:10 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772945
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 375
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 1
Guests: 346
Total: 347

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Taekwondo  (Read 6282 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline DanMo

  • Member
  • Posts: 235
  • Finally undetectable! ;D
Taekwondo
« on: October 18, 2012, 04:49:43 pm »
Hey all. When I was younger I used to be in Taekwondo (which is a Korean martial arts). I got all the way to green belt (which is like the 5th level). I always loved it and now that I'm somewhat independent from my parents and I'm making my own money, I've been wanting to go back to it.

I wanted to know if there's anyone on this board that has experience being part of martial arts while being HIV positive. (I'm worried that HIV would be troublesome--what if I get hit and start bleeding? Granted, I never got injured so badly that I bled when I was younger, but still...)

Thanks in advance!

~ Dan
“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

11 Feb 2011 - Preliminary positive
07 Mar 11 - Inconclusive WB
14 Mar 11 - Diagnosed positive
05 Apr 11 - 355 (21%) / VL: 186,054
27 Apr 11 - 390 (20%) / VL: 285,095
06 Jun 11 - 298 (19%) / VL:  78,380
01 Aug 11 - > STARTED ATRIPLA <
30 Aug 11 - 699 (31%) / VL: 1,938
03 Nov 11 -                / VL: 645
27 Dec 11 - 559 (35%) / VL: 1,189
11 Jan 12 -                 / VL: <20
09 Apr 12 - 686 (40%) / VL: UD
11 Jul 12 - 793 (37%) / VL: 25

Offline jkinatl2

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,007
  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2012, 06:29:35 pm »
I'm not into martial arts, but I have gone skydiving, white water rafting, ziplining, and played rugby while being positive. There's nothing to be afraid of from what you describe. Even if you bleed.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline surf18

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2012, 08:31:05 pm »
Ah dont sweat it. I boxed before being poz and continue to you. Keep doing it man.

Offline DanMo

  • Member
  • Posts: 235
  • Finally undetectable! ;D
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2012, 11:53:39 pm »
Hey guys, thanks for replying!

I just thought of something else: what do you guys think about disclosing when participating in combat sports?
“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

11 Feb 2011 - Preliminary positive
07 Mar 11 - Inconclusive WB
14 Mar 11 - Diagnosed positive
05 Apr 11 - 355 (21%) / VL: 186,054
27 Apr 11 - 390 (20%) / VL: 285,095
06 Jun 11 - 298 (19%) / VL:  78,380
01 Aug 11 - > STARTED ATRIPLA <
30 Aug 11 - 699 (31%) / VL: 1,938
03 Nov 11 -                / VL: 645
27 Dec 11 - 559 (35%) / VL: 1,189
11 Jan 12 -                 / VL: <20
09 Apr 12 - 686 (40%) / VL: UD
11 Jul 12 - 793 (37%) / VL: 25

Offline surf18

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2012, 08:04:52 am »
I wouldn't. Just keep doing what your doing. If you disclose you have no idea what can of worms you might open up. You may have no willing partners to spar with etc.

Offline Jeff G

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 17,064
  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2012, 08:23:06 am »
Hey guys, thanks for replying!

I just thought of something else: what do you guys think about disclosing when participating in combat sports?

I once told a guy in a bar that I had pissed off that he better not hit me because I had aids and it worked like a charm , it seemed to calm his ass down pretty quick  . 
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2012, 08:30:11 am »
Hey guys, thanks for replying!

I just thought of something else: what do you guys think about disclosing when participating in combat sports?

Would probably be a good idea..... if you kick their kidneys out and plan on giving them one of yours. 
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline Rhaegar

  • Member
  • Posts: 102
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2012, 09:26:07 pm »
I kickbox and never felt the need to disclose.
05/19/2011: Diagnosed.  CD4 159   VL 284,000.
04/29/2013:  CD4 789,   VL <20

Offline DanMo

  • Member
  • Posts: 235
  • Finally undetectable! ;D
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2012, 10:03:15 pm »
Thanks again for all your responses!
“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

11 Feb 2011 - Preliminary positive
07 Mar 11 - Inconclusive WB
14 Mar 11 - Diagnosed positive
05 Apr 11 - 355 (21%) / VL: 186,054
27 Apr 11 - 390 (20%) / VL: 285,095
06 Jun 11 - 298 (19%) / VL:  78,380
01 Aug 11 - > STARTED ATRIPLA <
30 Aug 11 - 699 (31%) / VL: 1,938
03 Nov 11 -                / VL: 645
27 Dec 11 - 559 (35%) / VL: 1,189
11 Jan 12 -                 / VL: <20
09 Apr 12 - 686 (40%) / VL: UD
11 Jul 12 - 793 (37%) / VL: 25

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2012, 10:46:05 pm »


   DanMo,
   
      I agree with Rhaegar, there really is no need for disclosure.  I wish you the best and hope all the skill comes back to you quickly.
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline zach

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,586
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2012, 10:53:26 pm »
never disclose your status. unless you just wanna be a posterboy for hiv awareness.

Offline lost_boy

  • Member
  • Posts: 110
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2012, 06:25:19 pm »
Hey... I feel I can comment as I am a black tag in taekwondo, still train regularly! I have not disclosed my status, and like you I have wrestled with this decision somewhat. However, I figure the risk to others is minimal. I do enjoy sparring, and sometimes this does involve bust lips (I have one right now! Don't block with your face people!), cut toes, whatever. I am not spitting my blood into their faces, I gather that HIV only exists in blood outside the body for less than 5 seconds. My viral load is undetectable and bluntly I think the risk is so minimal as to not warrant declaration. Happy to stand corrected if others feel that way.

Anyway, it's good to take up a sport/regular exercise! I know training allows my mind to focus on something else other than work or life problems... instead I just get stressed about not knowing my patterns or the correct Korean terminology ;)

Offline Valmont

  • Member
  • Posts: 338
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2012, 07:27:33 pm »
For disclosing in Rugby, I loose 8 months of competition and it generated me a lot of stress, I had to talk about my HIV to people I did not want to (thankfully, they have been great and dealt well with it)...  At the end, in my Federation nobody knew what to do and about real risk to other people...  And because bleeding is quite unusual and biosecurity is applyed, then infection risks for anyone else are quite low...

More other, I would repeat you something a Directive told me: " Till every player don´t bring me a certificate that says they´re exempt of HIV or VHC, there is no reason for anyone asking you for stopping playing".  My doc has no problem in regard that I´m playing too...

In your case, you´re indectable in blood, so my recommandation: don´t disclose.
Apr 2011: Diagnotized
Jun 2011: CD4: 504  VL: 176.000
Dic 2011: CD4: 714  VL: 95.000
May 2012: CD4: 395 VL: 67.000
Jun 2012: CD4: 367
Agu 2012: Starting Emtricitabine 200 mg / Tenofovir 300 mg and Efavirenz 600 mg (2 pills) different brands or VIRADAY/ATRIPLA/Mylan....
Sep 2012: VL: 138
Dic 2012: CD4: 708 VL: <34  %CD4: 32%
Jan 2013: CD4: 707 VL: <20
May 2013: CD4: 945 VL: <34 %CD4: 33%
Agu 2013: CD4: 636 VL: <34 %CD4: 50%
Dic 2013: Latent TB, started Isoniazid

Offline zach

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,586
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2012, 08:23:44 pm »
detectable or not isn't really germane. hiv doesn't survive outside the body. you're not having unprotected sex with the opponents, or sharing IV needles. there is no risk of transmission; therefore, to my mind, no responsibility to disclose.

Offline surf18

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2012, 08:59:44 pm »
And look at it this way, how many people are doing these sports with HIV for years without even knowing they have it? And haven't infected a single soul.

Offline DanMo

  • Member
  • Posts: 235
  • Finally undetectable! ;D
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #15 on: October 24, 2012, 03:26:43 pm »
Hey... I feel I can comment as I am a black tag in taekwondo, still train regularly! I have not disclosed my status, and like you I have wrestled with this decision somewhat. However, I figure the risk to others is minimal. I do enjoy sparring, and sometimes this does involve bust lips (I have one right now! Don't block with your face people!), cut toes, whatever. I am not spitting my blood into their faces, I gather that HIV only exists in blood outside the body for less than 5 seconds. My viral load is undetectable and bluntly I think the risk is so minimal as to not warrant declaration. Happy to stand corrected if others feel that way.

Anyway, it's good to take up a sport/regular exercise! I know training allows my mind to focus on something else other than work or life problems... instead I just get stressed about not knowing my patterns or the correct Korean terminology ;)

Hey lost-boy! Thanks for responding! I'm really glad to hear about everyone's experiences participating in contact sports. I really did think I'd have to disclose. (Guess I still have lots to learn).

I've been interested in going back to Taekwondo, not just for the exercise and to keep in shape, but because I really do enjoy it a lot and I knew it would offer me an outlet to relieve tension and stress.

More other, I would repeat you something a Directive told me: " Till every player don´t bring me a certificate that says they´re exempt of HIV or VHC, there is no reason for anyone asking you for stopping playing".  My doc has no problem in regard that I´m playing too...

In your case, you´re indectable in blood, so my recommandation: don´t disclose.

That's a pretty good quote and a great way to think about it! Thanks for that Valmont!

zach and surf18: makes sense! :)
“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

11 Feb 2011 - Preliminary positive
07 Mar 11 - Inconclusive WB
14 Mar 11 - Diagnosed positive
05 Apr 11 - 355 (21%) / VL: 186,054
27 Apr 11 - 390 (20%) / VL: 285,095
06 Jun 11 - 298 (19%) / VL:  78,380
01 Aug 11 - > STARTED ATRIPLA <
30 Aug 11 - 699 (31%) / VL: 1,938
03 Nov 11 -                / VL: 645
27 Dec 11 - 559 (35%) / VL: 1,189
11 Jan 12 -                 / VL: <20
09 Apr 12 - 686 (40%) / VL: UD
11 Jul 12 - 793 (37%) / VL: 25

Offline Valmont

  • Member
  • Posts: 338
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #16 on: October 25, 2012, 01:12:29 am »
You re welcome, I hope you will enjoy Taekwondo for a long time...
Apr 2011: Diagnotized
Jun 2011: CD4: 504  VL: 176.000
Dic 2011: CD4: 714  VL: 95.000
May 2012: CD4: 395 VL: 67.000
Jun 2012: CD4: 367
Agu 2012: Starting Emtricitabine 200 mg / Tenofovir 300 mg and Efavirenz 600 mg (2 pills) different brands or VIRADAY/ATRIPLA/Mylan....
Sep 2012: VL: 138
Dic 2012: CD4: 708 VL: <34  %CD4: 32%
Jan 2013: CD4: 707 VL: <20
May 2013: CD4: 945 VL: <34 %CD4: 33%
Agu 2013: CD4: 636 VL: <34 %CD4: 50%
Dic 2013: Latent TB, started Isoniazid

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #17 on: October 25, 2012, 06:52:31 am »
I was curious about this because I know that professional kick-boxing, boxing and a few other ... I think they're called extreme sports ... have rules against hiv positive people gaining licenses to fight and must take regular hiv tests in order to retain their license and be able to fight.

So, I went to the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation, not What the Fuck lol) website and had a look at both their Statutes (as of April 2012) and their Code of Ethics, and hiv was not mentioned in either document (both PDFs). There is also no mention of hiv in the more detailed Competition Rules and Interpretation PDF document, which has a section discussing how injuries are handled during a match.

Keep in mind that one needs to be a member of this federation in order to fight in matches at the Olympics and Paralympics, for example.

I'll join the chorus here and say "go for it". With your undetectable VL, you don't have anything to worry about and you wouldn't anyway as hiv does not remain viable outside the body.

Contact sports normally have measures in place these days to deal with blood-producing injuries, measures that should be adhered to across the board regardless of what is known about the player's viral status. Some viruses like hep C are much more likely to pose a danger in the contact sport arena than hiv - so keep that in mind when you bloody your opponent's nose.

And by the way, in the WTF Code of Ethics, there are two Articles that you may be interested in knowing about.

Article 5. Ban on Discrimination:

WTF officials and individual athletes, team officials, and other concerned individuals
shall not act in a discriminatory manner, especially with regard to ethnicity, race,
culture, political opinion, marital status, religion, gender, language, or other grounds. Decisions and actions are to be taken in the best interest of athletes with an emphasis on applying equal opportunity for participation.

Article 6. Ban on Harassment

Athletes have a right to respect and to enjoy a safe and supportive sport environment.
All forms of harassment, be it physical, professional or sexual are prohibited.


From what I've read on the WTF website, Taekwondo seems to be a sport firmly grounded in respect and fair-play. I hope you jump back in - it sounds like it would be good for you on many levels. Good luck! :)
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Jeff G

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 17,064
  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #18 on: October 25, 2012, 08:53:43 am »

From what I've read on the WTF website, Taekwondo seems to be a sport firmly grounded in respect and fair-play. I hope you jump back in - it sounds like it would be good for you on many levels. Good luck! :)

When I was a kid I took karate . I got a purple belt and it was mostly an after school thing nothing serious . The teachers were very stern in their warning to us , they taught us respect and added if they ever got so much as a hint that we used what we learned to bully or fight unless it was the last option we would be expelled .   
« Last Edit: October 25, 2012, 08:55:19 am by jg1962 »
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline RWR

  • Member
  • Posts: 138
  • if You think You can’t you can’t
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #19 on: October 25, 2012, 10:25:15 am »
I always wanted to do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so at age 54 went to Gracies.  I told my professor and He said it was ok. I went two years and got my blue belt was working on purple belt when I had some aids related issues.  I loved it and miss it and would love to go back someday. I still look at my gis in the closet sometimes.
Hiv+ 1986


Bobby

Offline DanMo

  • Member
  • Posts: 235
  • Finally undetectable! ;D
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #20 on: October 29, 2012, 09:26:31 pm »
Hello there Ann!

Thanks for the research! It never occurred to me to look through the WTF website. It's such a relief to find out that there's nothing about HIV mentioned in the rules.

Even though I'm more familiar with the Olympic style taekwondo, I've never really been interested in participating in matches or competing; I've always enjoyed it for the sport's sake.
“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

11 Feb 2011 - Preliminary positive
07 Mar 11 - Inconclusive WB
14 Mar 11 - Diagnosed positive
05 Apr 11 - 355 (21%) / VL: 186,054
27 Apr 11 - 390 (20%) / VL: 285,095
06 Jun 11 - 298 (19%) / VL:  78,380
01 Aug 11 - > STARTED ATRIPLA <
30 Aug 11 - 699 (31%) / VL: 1,938
03 Nov 11 -                / VL: 645
27 Dec 11 - 559 (35%) / VL: 1,189
11 Jan 12 -                 / VL: <20
09 Apr 12 - 686 (40%) / VL: UD
11 Jul 12 - 793 (37%) / VL: 25

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Taekwondo
« Reply #21 on: October 30, 2012, 06:23:59 am »
You're welcome, Dan. :)

Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.