Sports

BY JUSTIN DE LA CRUZ

The pandemic caught us all by surprise. We never thought everyone would be closed indoors, afraid to shake hands, or afraid to see someone without a mask. Humans are not meant to stay indoors. Instead, we should be communicating with one another, exploring, and participating in physical activities. I currently work at a martial arts gym, and when the stay-athome order was issued, all gyms had to close.

The first three weeks of the order were difficult. Pre-pandemic, I was always moving, and I tried to keep myself in good health. But staying at home, I lacked the motivation to get up or the energy to go for a run. It was so bad that I started to eat constantly, and I gained weight.

Martial arts schools adapted to the situation. My school started teaching via Zoom. It was a new way to teach and run a business.

I think other people will feel the same about not having the energy to do work, to go out for a run, or spend time with family. Our home is a place for us to relax. It the place we go to recharge. When we see our homes, we immediately think about sleep, rest or relaxation.

When we see our workspace, we automatically focus on work and think about deadlines. Staying in our home and mixing work is difficult. Home is the comfort zone.

I recommend Moorimgoong Martial Arts academy to anyone who wants to have a good workout. It builds self-discipline, respect and focus. You can learn Moorimgoong Martial Arts at home with virtual instruction or practice with in-person classes.

Many regular gyms are still closed, and not everyone can afford to buy expensive equipment. Most people in L.A. lack space for a home gym, but martial arts do not require a lot of space, and there are opportunities for in-person instruction.

The study of martial arts helps improve coordination, flexibility, confidence and public speaking skills. It will help the student develop better social skills, better full-body workouts and self-defense skills.

Everyone wants to maintain their health, but it is difficult now.

Find a martial arts school to join during the pandemic. Practice online or take an in-person class. When this is all over, the health benefits will be clear.

BY TUPAC ZAPATA

In the summer of 2008, Javier Aguiniga Campos was a UCLA graduate when he was invited to travel to Mexico City and try out for Cruz Azul, one of Mexico’s most important professional teams.

Cruz Azul calls the southern part of Mexico City home, and the team has been the “Primera Division” champion eight times. It was a special time for the UCLA grad.

A once in a lifetime opportunity to become a professional footballer was unusual for a 23-year-old. That’s considered a bit old to start a professional soccer career.

“It was a unique and beautiful experience to be in Mexico for four months trying to achieve any young man’s dream, but the competition was incredibly good and unfortunately I did not make the roster,” said Aguiniga Campos.

Aguiniga graduated from UCLA in 2007. He also earned an M.A. degree in mathematics and one in physical education. He was ready for life’s curve balls, and soccer would bring another opportunity a year later. This time, it was a position as a head coach at Rio Hondo High School where he also worked as a substitute teacher.

During his two years at Rio Hondo High, his team won back-to-back conference titles in 2009 and 2010. At the same time, he attended Rio Hondo Community College where he played college soccer. The wins caught the attention of ELAC’s head soccer coach who brought Aguiniga Campos on as an assistant coach. He remained there until 2013 and then returned to Rio Hondo College as assistant coach until 2019.

In early 2020, LACC Athletics Director Robert McKinley and Kinesiology Department chair Aykanush Gevanyan, decided to name Javier Aguiniga Campos as the new head coach of the LACC men’s soccer team. They had interviewed several other candidates for the position, but Aguiniga Campos’s decade as assistant coach at two other colleges convinced them that he was the right man for the job.

“My experience allowed me to be considered as the most qualified candidate for the job as head coach,” he said.

Landing the job as the head coach at LACC is an opportunity that Aguiniga Campos has been patiently waiting for, as he feels that he has paid his dues and learned the ropes.

The native of Ziquítaro, Michoacan, was a standout athlete at Mountain View High School in El Monte where he played soccer, football and ran track & field.

“I have waited a long time for this opportunity, and I’m looking forward for what’s to come,” said coach Aguiniga Campos.

His assistant coach will be Felipe Bernal, who won a national title with Cerritos College in 2018. Coach Javier Aguiniga Campos is bilingual and will be vaccinated by April. He says he will have an idea of how the team will look by late June and will have his final roster by Aug. 1.