From research to the world stage: Pacific scholar claims gold

A University of Auckland academic who encourages students to challenge assumptions about who belongs in sport has put those lessons into practice herself, winning a world title in Taekwon-Do.

Senior lecturer Dr Jean M Uasike Allen recently claimed gold at the ITF Taekwon-Do World Cup in Benidorm, Spain, winning the Individual Female 36-45 Years Patterns 2-1 Gup division while representing Team Mark Trotter New Zealand.

The achievement adds another accolade to a career already marked by excellence in research, teaching and Pacific scholarship.

Yet Dr Allen's Taekwon-Do journey began with a simple act of supporting her teenage daughter rather than any sporting ambition.

"My daughter wanted to join a club but was a bit shy," says Allen.

"She asked if I could join with her, so I did. I remember thinking, 'What am I doing as a woman in my 40s joining Taekwon-Do with no prior martial arts experience?' But I joined anyway and I'm glad I did."

The pair enrolled at Paul M Papakura Club in 2022, beginning what would become an unexpected pathway to international competition.

Just four years later, Allen found herself standing on the world stage in Spain.
"Winning my division at the World Cup was surreal," she says.

"I could hear the entire New Zealand team and supporters cheering for me. It was an incredible feeling. Mostly I felt relief that my training had paid off and that I'd made my coaches, team and family proud."

The victory followed years of dedication and steady progress. At the previous World Cup in Argentina, Allen finished second in her division, an experience that strengthened her resolve and provided valuable international competition experience.

While the world title is significant, Allen says one of the biggest rewards of Taekwon-Do has been the community.

"We've met so many amazing people. There is a real sense of community that goes beyond training. We've built friendships here in New Zealand and internationally through tournaments and travel."

As both an academic and athlete, Allen sees strong connections between her work and her martial arts practice.

Her research and teaching take a socio-political approach to sport, health and physical education, encouraging students to critically examine assumptions, stereotypes and barriers that shape participation.

"In my teaching, I encourage students to think about how we make spaces more inclusive and how we avoid judging what people can do based on body composition, shape or size," she says.

"I don't have what many people would consider a typical martial arts body. Being older and larger, people are often surprised when they hear I do Taekwon-Do."
Rather than seeing this as a limitation, Allen views it as an opportunity to challenge expectations.

"I actually like that doing Taekwon-Do is a little disruptive. It challenges assumptions about who belongs in certain spaces. It's also a bonus that I seem to be semi-decent at it."

Allen frequently brings those experiences into the classroom, inviting students to consider how taken-for-granted ideas about sport can either include or exclude people.

The journey has not been without challenges.

"Age is probably the biggest one," she says with a laugh.

"As you get older, you realise your physio was right about all those stretching and rehabilitation exercises. Everything hurts a little more these days, but it's all part of learning how to adapt."

Allen credits her success to the support of coaches, teammates and family.

She paid special tribute to Master Mark Trotter and Brenda Trotter, coaches for Team Mark Trotter New Zealand, Grandmaster Paul McPhail of Paul M Papakura Club, and her family for their unwavering encouragement throughout her journey.
The world title represents more than sporting success for Allen.

She says it demonstrates that excellence can take many forms and emerge from unexpected places.

Whether that’s in the lecture theatre, through her Pacific research, or on the competition floor in Spain.

Allen continues to challenge assumptions and expand understandings of what Pacific leadership, scholarship and achievement can look like. Her recent win reinforces the notion that the best way to lead is by example.