Model Warrior - Featured in Combat Magazine 2004

Model Warrior

The Martial Arts, generally conjures up images of power, masculinity and strength, while the softer feminine aspects can sometimes be overlooked.

Most people would probably agree that Rachel Ducker, aged twenty, reflects the essence of femininity; being blessed with a pretty face and a very shapely figure, she looks every part a fashion icon, however from this point onward please don’t let looks deceive.

Because of her family connections within the martial art’s Rachel is a hard-hitting, sophisticated young lady who knows what she wants and exactly how to go about getting it.

Starting her formal martial art training at the age of four years old, under the guidance of her parents, both of who are long-standing Kuk Sool Won Instructors.

Rachel has always viewed the martial arts as a natural part of her everyday life and spent much of her childhood being raised in and around the dojang. In fact it has been reported by Rachel’s mum that she was actually able to count to ten in Korean before learning to count to ten in English.

Although her indoctrination into Kuk Sool Won started probably a lot earlier than most, Rachel never received any special favours, and followed a similar training pattern to that of most other students.
In her formative years, her family would be the first to admit that she was not what you would call a ‘natural’; everything she has gained has come about through hard work.

Initially, Rachel explains that her progress seemed relatively slow, but say’s that her parents were much aware that progressing quickly through the ranks doesn’t always make an excellent practitioner.
Her training consisted of practising the fundamentals day in and day out, like it was a game. Much emphasis was placed upon developing flexibility and strength, laying down a strong foundation for her martial art future.

After nearly seven years of continued practice Rachel eventually graduated to black belt in 1997 at the tender age of 11. By this time Miss Ducker had already gained a reputation for having very powerful kicking ability and was nicknamed ‘Thunderfoot’ by her classmates for accidentally kicking a fellow (male) sparring partner through a partitioned wall. 

 

Many people who know Rachel recognise her as being a very polite and respectful young lady, but there is another side to her as well; as already mentioned she is tough cookie, determined, strong willed and very outwardly focused.

Many people often wonder; does martial art training give a person the edge in life as well? Well in Rachel’s case there seems no shadow of a doubt.

In 2001 Rachel left school with 4 A’ levels and has worked her way up into the position of Sales Marketing Manager for a local publishing company for which she still works for today.

As for her martial art career, Rachel has won countless tournaments and Gold medals, she has been successful at winning the individual European and UK Kuk Sool Championship many times and was fortunate enough to compete in South Korea last year gaining a respectable third place in her category.

She is currently working toward her 4th Degree black belt and Rachel’s long-term goal is to become a Kuk Sool Master.

If you were to ask this intelligent young woman what the ‘highlight’ of her martial arts journey has been so far, she would undoubtedly tell you about her experience at the ‘Beckhams’ when she was part of the Kuk Sool (UK) demo team asked to perform for a whole host of celebrities at the 2002 World Cup Garden party held by David and Victoria Beckham.

Of course martial art training aside, Rachel is still very much your typical average twenty-year old, impressed by the glitz and glamour of the fashion world, and like most young girls of her age has dreams of becoming an icon herself.

Most recently Rachel’s dream did become a reality, when she was accepted by a very reputable modelling agency based in Norwich and London.

Aware of the sturdiness and resilience needed to succeed in this particular industry, Rachel has not been fazed by this often competitive environment, in fact she just views it on a similar parallel to that of her martial arts training. She understands the total dedication and commitment that it takes to become successful in any field of endeavour.

So what’s next for Rachel? Well her career at the publishing company is still going very well and new opportunities are arising all the time.  As far as her modelling career goes, she has had several large companies interested in her.

From a martial art perspective nothing changes, it’s training as usual and when asked about boyfriends, Rachel says ‘boyfriends - I’ve got no time for a boyfriend’ maybe one day I’ll discover that special person?

Whatever Rachel ends up doing in the future, whether she’s a celebrity or not, one thing is assured she will never stop practising the martial arts; it’s in her blood and a place she knows best.