Teacher uses skills learned in EMCC classroom to stay calm under pressure
About two years ago, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) Professor Zachary Kovach’s 4-year-old daughter told him she wanted to take martial arts lessons. So they went to Starworld Martial Arts in Goodyear to sign her up for Tang Soo Do. But when they got there, she asked him to take classes, too. Today, Professor Kovach is No. 2 in the world in his division.
His instructor, Master Johnny Williamson, said it’s very rare for a student to progress so rapidly.
“Climbing to No. 2 in the World Tang Soo Do Association in such a short time is a major accomplishment,” Master Williamson said. “It takes more than just talent — it requires hard work, determination, and consistency, all of which Professor Kovach has in abundance.”
Tang Soo Do is an ancient form of Korean martial arts. It’s essentially the Korean version of Japanese Karate, Professor Kovach explained. While students spar in Tang Soo Do, much of what they do is a solo act: beautifully choreographed forms presentations and weapons demonstrations. Professor Kovach spends about two days a week at Starworld’s dojang but spends plenty of time practicing on his own at home, referencing YouTube for the forms and weapons routines he is currently learning.
“Your belt rank determines what forms you do,” he explained.
The Geology Professor claimed the No. 2 spot in the world after competing in the World Championships of the World Tang Soo Do Association July 11-14 in Greensboro, N.C. Competing in the “Seniors” (35 and over) Brown Belt Division, he medaled in all three events, taking home silver in both Weapons and Forms and a bronze in Sparring.
It was the first time he’d competed at the World Championships but he approached this match like any other — to give it his best and see what happens. He credits his 12 years of teaching to keeping him calm under pressure, something that comes in especially handy during the Weapons and Forms events.
“There are people I compete against that are much stronger than me in all three events, but Weapons and Forms are more of a performance-based routine, which is judged and scored,” Professor Kovach said. “So, being a teacher has taught me to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations in front of some sets of the most judging eyes — students. So I would say my strength is being comfortable in those uncomfortable, high-pressure, all-eyes-on-me, critically judged scenarios. That allows me to have fun at these tournaments, which allows me to perform the best that I can.”
Master Johnny Williamson said Professor Kovach’s background as an educator gives him an edge.
“He approaches training with a strong analytical mind, always working to understand the ‘why’ behind the techniques,” Master Williamson said. “Combine that with his discipline and ability to learn quickly, and it’s no surprise he’s excelled at this level.”
When Professor Kovach took up Tang Soo Do in January of 2023, he didn’t even realize that “competitions were a thing.” But when he found out about them, he decided to give them a shot because they sounded like fun.
“Plus, you can’t help but imagine a bit of ‘Karate Kid’ when doing these things,” he said.
Three months later, he was at his first competition, the 2023 US & Mexico Friendship Tournament held April 22 in Chula Vista, Calif., where he won his first medal — a bronze — in Forms. He would go on to win a gold in Sparring and a bronze in Forms at the 2023 US National Championship, golds in Forms and Sparring at the 2023 Region 2 Championship, and golds in all three events at the 2024 US & Mexico Friendship Tournament before heading on to the World Championships.
His medals can be found hanging in his office next to his retired belts, including the brown belt he wore at the World Championships. He has since been promoted to red belt. But the most important award on his office wall came from his daughter. Starworld held a special daddy/daughter class last Father’s Day and they each held a board for the other to break. Then they reassembled the boards and wrote messages to each other on them.
“On my wall in my office at EMCC is that board that states, in 6-year-old penmanship, ‘I love my dad. He is the best. You are the best dad I ever had. I love you dad.’ I get to see that first thing every day when I come into my office. That is the best award I have and that is why I do Tang Soo Do.”