Vera Koo: Athleticism Runs in the Family

See the athleticism Vera Koo has passed along to her daughters, and why her husband has been a life coach to encourage her to compete. Read this roundup post, originally published at Women’s Outdoor News.

Vera Koo often shares stories about her family vacations and the time she spends with them. In the following two articles, previously posted on The WON, Vera uses her column to praise the athleticism of some family members and share their stories. I’m sure you’ll be as impressed as I was when you read about these not-so-typical athletic events.

Squaw Valley Spartan Beast: A Beautiful Accomplishment

In the fall of 2017, Vera’s daughters, Shane and Christina, participated in a Spartan Beast race at the Spartan World Championship at Squaw Valley, near Lake Tahoe, California. Although they had competed in similar races in the past, nothing compared to this longer, more grueling competition. Vera explains how they worked together with their two other teammates, never giving up on each other, instead, doing everything they could to help the other succeed.

“Some of the more competitive teams didn’t stick together with their teammates, but Christina and Shane’s team navigated the race and the obstacles together. They even helped each other by pitching in on each other’s burpees.”

“Squaw Valley Spartan Beast a Beauty of a Fait Accompli” highlights how much Vera’s daughters resemble her in many ways. When Vera said, “The race reminded Christina of a belief she wants to instill in her daughters: If you want to do something, there is no reason not to try. You might fail, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.” Hmmm … reminds me of someone I know.

In Search of the Perfect Athlete, a Dressage Horse

When I think of an athlete, a human comes to mind, not a horse. When I read Vera’s post, “In Search of the Perfect Athlete, a Dressage Horse,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. In this article, Vera shares the story of her husband Carlos’s experiences riding and then his search for the perfect athlete.

“Carlos went to Denmark in search of a dressage horse, but as he considered the qualities he sought for a top dressage horse, he realized those characteristics mirrored those of a top Bianchi Cup shooter.”

I found it interesting how Vera compared the dressage horse Carlos found and the training that followed, to her competing in the Bianchi Cup and other shooting sports competitions.

It’s evident that the athleticism in Vera’s family is intense, passed on from one generation to the next. One can only imagine what her grandchildren may accomplish in the future!

Find all Vera’s posts here.