Overview
18-year-old Laila Khan reached the final eight at her debut Taekwondo World Championships, marking a remarkable early milestone in her senior career.
“From looking at her train when she was seven years old, I knew that she was going to be special.”
Her early coach, George Koh, recalls a young student who stood out not for technique alone, but for intensity and a certain “rage” that seemed to fuel her drive.
As a child, Khan was shy and quiet, yet she gradually found confidence on the mat. What began as a niche sport at a small, struggling school evolved into a passion that now fuels her competitive ascent.
Khan’s taekwondo journey began at Phoenix TKD on Ottawa’s east side, under Koh’s mentorship. Over the years, the discipline transformed from a training routine into a defining part of her identity, with a persistent undercurrent of stress that reinforces her focus rather than overwhelming her.
“I’m at a point right now where I feel like there’s a necessary level of stress. I don’t feel overwhelmed, but it kind of fuels me.”
Key Points
- Early training at a modest taekwondo school;
- A coach noticed exceptional potential in a young pupil;
- From shy beginner to rising senior competitor on the world stage;
- Debut at the senior world championships with a strong performance.
Author's Summary
Childhood shy, intensely focused, and fueled by a distinctive drive, Laila Khan rises from a modest dojo to the world stage, blending discipline with controlled rage to propel her career.