March 20, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – Self-defence lessons are essential, and Joyce Teoh Lay Bee, 55, is determined to equip her daughter, Sabrina Teoh Weber, 16, who has Down syndrome, with the skills to protect herself in any situation.
Knowing her daughter’s gentle nature, Teoh wants to build her resilience and ensure she can defend herself if needed.
Sabrina has been practising choi kwang do (CKD), a martial art founded by South Korean expert Choi Kwang-Jo, since 2019. The discipline focuses on fluid movements, incorporating yoga-based stretching to enhance flexibility.
Her lessons are held at a centre in Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.
“In the past, if someone hit her on the head, she wouldn’t know how to react. But now, she’s more confident and alert – ready to defend herself. Martial arts is a valuable skill because you never know when danger might strike,” says Teoh during an interview in KL.
Another parent, Srihari Iyer, 53, shares a similar sentiment. His daughter, Isha Lakshmi Min-Huei Iyer, 11, who also has Down syndrome, started CKD lessons at the centre when she was eight after struggling with coordination and self-regulation.
“Martial arts has taught Isha to stand up for herself. She is learning that she doesn’t have to react to or despair in every difficult situation if she has confidence and belief in her abilities. And that helps her a lot in coping when she encounters taunts and exclusion from peer group activities, which is a challenge that special needs children often face,” says Srihari, a KL-based corporate finance manager.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra chromosome 21, leading to developmental delays, intellectual disability, and distinct physical features.
Children with disabilities are often vulnerable to abuse and bullying, as well as facing discrimination, exclusion and mistreatment due to misconceptions and societal stigma. In 2021, there was the case of Bella, a girl with Down syndrome, who suffered abuse in a welfare home in Johor Baru.
Last year, the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia reported that one in four children with autism is known to have experienced abuse.
Survival skills
Srihari believes martial arts is crucial for children with Down syndrome.
He says, “Children with Down syndrome are typically born with arms and legs that appear droopy, and there is a tendency to easily gain weight. They therefore need to work extra hard to build up physical resistance and strength.
Since taking up CKD, Isha has improved in strength, coordination and focus, he shares, adding that Isha has progressed to gold belt now.
“Before, Isha would punch with ‘soft kitten paws’. Now, she can hit quite hard,” Iyer says, crediting martial arts for building her confidence. “She’s learning that confidence and self-belief help her cope with challenges like taunts and exclusion. As parents, it is important not to be discouraged if your child is not accepted due to developmental limitations. Just keep persevering.”
Over the years, Sabrina has worked her way up to a green belt, advancing through white and yellow ranks. Next, the teen is aiming for blue belt.
“I like the classes because they’re fun. I get to kick, punch, and meet my friends,” says Sabrina, the younger of two siblings.
Isha and Sabrina are among four students with Down syndrome at the centre.
Teoh is proud of her daughter’s progress, saying martial arts helps build confidence and assertiveness. “Here, she interacts with others while learning discipline and respect. She follows instructions and has picked up basic self-defence skills.
“It means a lot to see her CKD classmates being kind, looking out for her, and making her feel included. Often, children like Sabrina are invisible in society – but here, she is seen, accepted, and approached,” says Teoh, who runs a home-based marketing and administrative business in Selangor.
Impacting lives
Sabrina’s coach, Harrison Rafferty, 31, dismisses the notion that children with Down syndrome have limited abilities.
“I am proud of my students, and I’m proud of my three instructors who have mentored them. They thrive in the right environments, which, in turn, benefits everyone,” says the 6th Dan black belt exponent.
Originally from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Rafferty has been residing in Malaysia for a decade. His mother, 6th Dan black belt exponent Debz Rafferty, has over 20 years of martial arts experience. She founded the school in KL in 2012, and Rafferty took over in 2016.
“My mum taught CKD for about 20 years and took me along to many of her sessions. She was passionate about helping people – including students with learning difficulties.
“I learned a lot from my mum, including the belief that if a student is doing their best and the instructor is doing their best, that’s what truly matters.”
Rafferty believes in inclusive education, where students of all levels learn together, allowing them to progress at their own pace.
“In my school, students with Down syndrome follow the same lesson plan as others. The programme is designed to be flexible, ensuring group classes meet participants’ needs.
“Each class follows a structured approach: warm-up, core concept introduction, practical exercises, application, relaxation and debriefing. If students join the same belt level, they naturally progress without pressure. Monthly grading allows them to advance when ready.
“When Sabrina first started, she took a year before attempting her first grading. We never rushed her – we let her progress at her own pace.”
Rafferty’s grandmother was a special education teacher in Glasgow, Scotland, and she inspired him to help children with different abilities.
“In each class, students learn four key skill sets: basic techniques (stances, blocks and strikes), defence against grabs (self-defence if grabbed or choked), counterattack drills (defending against strikes), and impact training (practising strikes on a target).
“Process matters more than outcome. You’d be surprised what a student with a disability can achieve with the right teaching approach. I focus on strategies that ensure everyone reaches the learning goal safely and enjoyably, breaking lessons down so no one is left behind,” he says.