Cardiff’s Rising Star: Meet Ruby Hooper

Introducing Ruby

Ruby Hooper’s path into martial arts wasn’t instant; it was discovered. After trying gymnastics and dance, nothing quite clicked until her dad introduced her to Kyokushin Karate at age five. From that first session, something felt right. Since then, martial arts has become more than just a sport. It’s shaped her identity. Now 16, Ruby has spent over a decade training with discipline and purpose, recently making the bold transition to ITF Taekwondo.

Off the mats, she’s just as grounded. Between studying for A-levels and enjoying downtime with friends or watching football, Ruby manages the everyday pressures of school life while staying committed to her training. Her ambition is to one day coach others not for titles but to give back to the sport that’s given her so much. In every session, competition, and exam, Ruby continues building a story defined by perseverance, adaptability, and quiet determination.

The Spark: How It All Began

Ruby’s journey into martial arts started not with a grand plan but through trial and discovery. As a young child, she gave gymnastics and dance a go, but nothing really stuck. It wasn’t until her dad took her along to a Kyokushin Karate session that something finally clicked. She was just five years old, but the atmosphere, the structure, and the challenge of it all drew her in immediately. What began as a new hobby soon became part of her routine and then part of who she is today.

She spent ten years dedicated to Kyokushin, growing in skill and confidence. In 2023, Ruby made the decision to move to ITF Taekwondo, a shift that tested everything she knew. The styles were different, and adapting wasn’t easy. But Ruby leaned into the change, knowing it was the right move for her development. Behind each training session is a plan, a purpose, and a mindset focused on improvement. For Ruby, progress doesn’t come from shortcuts; it comes from structure, persistence, and never losing sight of why she started.

Role Models & Inspiration

Ruby draws inspiration from a diverse set of martial artists such as Conor McGregor, Jade Jones, and Ronda Rousey. Each from different backgrounds and experiences but all with stories of perseverance. Locally, her biggest influences include her current coach, Master Neil Ernest, who has pushed her to grow both as a martial artist and as a person. She also pays tribute to her first coaches, Shian Robert Bridle and Sensei Karen Browning, who guided her from a very young age and were instrumental in laying the foundation of her martial arts journey. Their support and belief in her have never been forgotten.

First Taste of Competition

Ruby’s first competition in 2016 was more than just a tournament; it marked a turning point in her life. Having recently recovered from heart surgery, she had faced months of uncertainty and waiting, watching others compete while she focused on healing. Finally stepping onto the mat at the Welsh Karate League was a moment she’d been dreaming of and working towards for a long time.

The category was large, with both boys and girls, and the nerves were real. She wasn’t sure how she’d do. But once the match began, all that tension transformed into focus. Ruby fought with everything she had and walked away with a silver medal, her first taste of success on a competitive stage.

What stuck with her most wasn’t just the placement but the pride of being there, standing tall after all she’d been through. The cheers, the adrenaline, the sense of belonging; they lit a spark. She realised then that martial arts wasn’t just something she enjoyed; it was something she wanted to pursue seriously.

That day taught Ruby more than just how to compete; it taught her how to overcome, how to trust in her training, and how to believe in herself, even when the odds felt stacked against her. Those lessons remain at the heart of every tournament she enters today.

Balancing School & Sport

For Ruby, balancing the demands of school and sport is a daily test of commitment. Now in Year 12, she’s navigating the intense pressure of her A-Level studies while maintaining a high-level training schedule. There are days when the weight of both worlds feels heavy, with early mornings, late-night revision, and moments where she has to choose between rest and one more training session.

But Ruby doesn’t shy away from the challenge. Instead, she treats both her education and her sport with the same level of focus and determination. It isn’t always easy. There are sacrifices such as missed social events, mental fatigue, and the constant juggle of time, but she’s found strength in staying organised and surrounding herself with people who understand her goals.

Support from her teachers, especially her registration and Spanish teacher, has helped lighten the load. One of her proudest moments came not from a tournament but from being recognised in the classroom as the hardest-working student in Spanish. She passed all her GCSEs, a milestone that meant more because of the effort it took to balance everything. This balance isn’t perfect, and Ruby is the first to admit it’s a work in progress. But her ability to stay grounded, focused, and driven is what sets her apart. Each school day and training session is another step toward her bigger dreams, and she’s determined to walk both paths with purpose.

A Family’s Perspective

For Ruby’s family, supporting her martial arts journey has meant more than just driving to training sessions or sitting on the sidelines at competitions; it’s been a shared commitment, marked by sacrifice, belief, and pride. From the moment she stepped into her first dojo, they recognised a spark in her that couldn’t be ignored. Martial arts wasn’t just another hobby; it was something she connected with on a deeper level.

But the road hasn’t been easy. Behind every tournament medal and milestone, there have been early mornings, long travel days, and tough financial choices. Covering competition fees, equipment, and travel. Especially during exams, it has stretched the family, both in time and resources. Yet they’ve never questioned whether it was worth it. Seeing Ruby’s growth, not just as a martial artist but as a person, has made every challenge meaningful.

Looking Ahead

Ruby’s next competitions include the ITF Open Welsh and the ITF British Championships. Her short-term goal is to achieve her black belt and qualify for the ITF European Championships. Long-term, she hopes to explore disciplines like boxing, MMA, or combat karate. For now, she’s happy within her current sport and excited for what’s to come.

Her message to young athletes starting out is powerful:

“Always give your 100% and never let anyone tell you you’re not able to do something.”