Born Ready: How Sophie Cunningham’s Black Belt Set the Tone for a Life of Grit and Greatness

When most of us were 6 years old, we were learning to ride a bike or tie our shoes. Maybe we had a favorite storybook or a beloved spot on the playground. But Sophie Cunningham? She was trading recess for roundhouse kicks, mastering forms and breaking boards. That’s right—at just six years old, Sophie earned her black belt in taekwondo, etching “determined” into her DNA long before the world saw her rise to basketball stardom.

It’s a story that feels almost legendary: the future WNBA sensation, standing at barely three and a half feet tall, cinching a black belt around her waist while other kids were struggling with shoelaces. But for those who know Sophie, this early milestone was less an anomaly and more an early glimpse of the unstoppable force she would become.

Martial Arts Beginnings in Columbia, Missouri

Born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, Sophie’s early years were a blur of sweat, smiles, and soaring ambition. With parents who encouraged a “try everything” approach to childhood, she sampled activities as diverse as soccer, gymnastics, and—you guessed it—martial arts.

Taekwondo, the Korean martial art famous for its flying kicks and philosophy of perseverance, caught her imagination. “I just thought it was the coolest thing ever,” Sophie remembers with a grin. “I loved the discipline, the uniform, and the feeling of accomplishment every time I mastered something new. And let’s be real—the idea of breaking boards was just awesome.”

But the path to her black belt wasn’t all fun and games. It took hours of practice, bruised shins, and intense focus—especially for a first-grader. Where others might have faltered, Sophie thrived. “I was always a competitor. I liked seeing what I could do, how far I could push myself,” she says.

The Anatomy of a Young Warrior

Earning a black belt in any martial art is no small feat, especially at such a young age. For Sophie, it meant absorbing not only intense physical training—memorizing patterns (known as forms), practicing self-defense, and sparring with older, bigger opponents—but also embracing the mental pillars of taekwondo: humility, respect, perseverance, and indomitable spirit.

Her instructors quickly learned what her family already suspected: Sophie was born ready. “She never let herself be intimidated by anyone’s size or age,” recalls Master Kim, her childhood instructor. “If she fell down, she’d pop right back up, brush herself off, and try again with even more fire.”

And then there was the infamous black belt test. Hours long, grueling, with techniques and combinations tested by rigorous examiners, it was the ultimate challenge. Sophie aced her forms, sparred with unwavering courage, and—yes—she broke her boards. On the day she tied that black belt around her waist, onlookers remember a proud grin and a sparkle in her eye. “I just thought, if I can do this, what can’t I do?”

Lessons for a Lifetime of Competition

Sophie’s taekwondo journey did more than build muscle—it forged her mental resolve. That black belt was never just a piece of fabric. It was a symbol—a constant reminder that she could power through fear, fatigue, and self-doubt. These are lessons that would follow her as she traded martial arts mats for the basketball court.

As she grew, Sophie’s love of basketball eclipsed all else. By high school, she was a local legend, dominating the game with a relentless drive that coaches and teammates alike attribute, in part, to her martial arts past. The focus, quick reflexes, and ability to rebound from setbacks—all hallmarks of a true martial artist—made her a threat on the court. Opponents could sense her confidence; teammates felt it too.

“Sophie brought an intensity every single day,” recalls her high school coach. “She would stare down a fourth-quarter deficit the same way she must’ve stared down those board breaks as a kid—like nothing was going to stop her.”

Carrying the Belt—and the Mindset—to the Pros

After a dazzling career at the University of Missouri, Sophie exploded onto the professional scene, joining the WNBA and quickly winning hearts with her toughness and talent. Whether hitting clutch three-pointers or diving after loose balls, she’s known for her grit—a trait she’s quick to trace back to those early days in the dojang (taekwondo studio).

“Taekwondo taught me about discipline, respect, and never giving up—even when it hurts. That’s the same mentality you need as a professional athlete,” she says. “People always say you can’t teach heart, but I think you can build it. That’s what martial arts did for me.”

Her lessons from taekwondo reach beyond competition. Sophie is passionate about sharing her story, reminding kids—especially young girls—that they can be both tough and kind, fierce and compassionate. She travels to schools and basketball clinics, her black belt journey inspiring a new generation to believe that they, too, are “born ready.”

Sophie’s Advice for Young Dreamers

For those aspiring to greatness, whatever their field, Sophie’s advice is simple: “Find your passion, and work at it. Don’t be afraid to fail—a lot of times, you’ll learn more from falling down (or getting knocked down!) than from your biggest wins. And always, always believe in yourself, even when things get hard.”

She smiles as she remembers her pint-sized self, breaking boards, chasing dreams, and learning that perseverance is the key to everything. “Earning my black belt at six didn’t make me special,” she insists. “It just showed me that if you set your mind to something, and work hard, you can do anything.”

Born Ready—and Getting Stronger Every Day

Today, whether she’s lighting up the WNBA courts or speaking to the next wave of young athletes, Sophie still carries that black belt mindset: confident, undaunted, and forever ready for the next challenge.

In a world that loves an origin story, Sophie Cunningham’s is a reminder that greatness starts with a single step—or maybe, a single kick. And if you ask her, she’ll say the journey is just getting started.