One punch at a time

A student’s fight for self-discipline and sanity in a world that doesn’t always make sense

Staff Writer

Sama Khoury (10) is quick on her feet, her laughter even quicker. She’s the kind of person who can light up a room with simple stories and jokes, like the time she accidentally dismantled a church drum set. Behind that easy smile and endless energy, she has found in boxing and martial arts more than just a sport; she’s discovered a powerful tool for navigating life.

Her journey into martial arts began by accident. “I actually went with my brothers to my first martial arts class,” she recalled. “I was supposed to just watch them, but the teacher asked me if I wanted to join, and I said sure. I loved it.” This spontaneous decision continues to shape her approach to life far beyond the gym, even now.

For Khoury, martial arts was never just about throwing punches. “They teach you how to kick, punch, and all of that, but they also taught us self-discipline, how to control your anger, how to know when to fight and when to leave it, [and] how to calm yourself down,” she explained. “What I found most helpful was learning to think about the consequences of what I’m gonna do first and ask myself, is it that serious? Most of the time, it’s not.” In particular, she said, “If someone annoys me or makes me angry, I’ll pause and ask myself if it’s really worth reacting. Usually, I realize it isn’t, and I just let it go.”

Still, the path of these sports has been anything but straightforward. Her venture was marked by constant change and unexpected hurdles, most notably, moving to the United States three years ago and dealing with a string of injuries that interrupted her training. “I did try to go back to some of the sports here, but I didn’t like how they taught them or practiced, so I left,” she clarified. “Another reason was my parents, especially my mother, telling me that I had to leave the sport because it was too dangerous, and she has a point. I did get a lot of injuries playing, but I loved it.”

Despite no longer training formally, she still practices the lessons she learned at home. “If I get stressed, I’d usually go outside and practice on a punching bag, and then I’d go back inside and try to calm down,” she said. “Or I’d just think for a minute, pray, and try to find a solution to whatever I was stressed about.”

Her brother, Joseph Khoury (9), has noticed the change, stating, “She’s been controlling her anger a little bit more and doesn’t get as sick as she used to before boxing.” The emotional regulation she learned has helped her find calm amidst chaos.

Nevertheless, more than any punch thrown or technique learned, Khoury sees her faith as the true center of her strength. “JESUSS, yes, if you put that in the newspaper, write it in capital letters because he’s a really big part of my life and why I have a smile and positive attitude most of the time,” she emphasized. Her faith, she said, formed the foundation for her self-control and the way she confronts challenges. “I like to spread God’s love to everyone around me, because I know that for some people, I’m the only Bible they ever get to see or read, so I like to spread the love and joy of the Holy Spirit even just through my actions.”

This blend of composure and faith is something her friends notice too, especially in how she supports those around her. “She’s sweet, confident, loyal, and cheerful,” said Prajita Brahma (10). “She balances school and social life, and always makes time for me. Despite tests!” Brahma also credits Khoury with helping her learn not to overthink things.

Phoebe Abu El Naser (11) described Khoury as someone who is “very kind-hearted, sociable, loves to laugh, is loved by everyone around her, and reflects Christ in front of the people she meets.”

Boxing and martial arts have also boosted her physical and emotional confidence. “I learned a lot of ways to defend myself, and I feel pretty confident that I can defend myself in a fight but I feel like there’s always room for improvement,” Khoury said. “Emotionally, I’d say it helped me control my emotions and not have it easy for people to get on my nerves.”

Now, Khoury is exploring new hobbies, like drumming, which offer a similar outlet. “It’s similar to boxing because I’ll probably also be able to hit emotions away,” she joked. “I have a tendency to ignore my emotions, so doing these I think will probably help me out.”

With dreams as big as her personality, she envisions a future filled with travel and prosperity. “I really, really want to live in one of those vans that are designed for someone to live in and travel around the world,” she said. “In the future I want to become a neonatal surgeon. And my goal is to be rich, not by money but with friends and family around me.”

It’s in the small moments, like pausing to think before reacting, where Sama Khoury’s training reveals itself. Martial arts taught her that not every fight is worth it and helped her develop an unwavering sense of self. Even with everything she has picked up over the years, she stays true to herself and is often described by friends as talkative, friendly, and a little crazy. She takes on life with a bright spirit that is prompted by her faith and punching lessons. “Everything is going great, to be honest, other than school, life is amazing and wonderful unicorns and rainbows all around,” she said, only half-joking.

She keeps moving forward, one step at a time, using the self-discipline and fortitude she has acquired. “Whenever we have a break for even a short period of time I see how amazing life is.”

Sama Khoury keeps her old boxing gloves in her gym bag. Even though she no longer trains formally, she still uses boxing techniques to manage her emotions and practice self-discipline. (Photo Credit: VectorPortal).