HM student to compete in international karate tournament
Posted: May 1, 2013
Liz Sambach, Human Movement (HM), ’14, will compete on Team USA at the 27th Pan American Karate Seniors Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 15-18. She will be competing in the women’s +68kg kumite division. She is the only individual from Arizona going to the games.
Sambach says that she started being involved with karate in 2004 during her undergraduate time at Gonzaga University. “I was on the women’s rowing team there, and karate was simply a way to cross-train with rowing when I would come home for the summer and winter,” said Sambach. “Once I graduated in 2006, I began to realize how much I enjoyed fighting and have competed in it ever since.” Sambach received her black belt in 2009.
“There are so many reasons karate interests me,” said Sambach. “I love the discipline and formality of the art. I believe it teaches respect, humbleness, and manners. The life lessons karate has taught me are priceless. They can be applied to everything in life because it is about being your best no matter what you do.”
Although Sambach will be graduating with a Master’s in Human Movement in 2014, she also has expressed interest in A.T. Still University’s physician assistant (PA) program. “I am definitely interested in looking into the PA program,” said Sambach. I cannot say enough great things about the HM program and the professors I have had, and know that it will only continue to help me grow. I truly think you know a program is a good fit for you when you look forward to doing homework, despite how busy you are!”