home      service centre   |   publications   |   football family   |   competitions   

Sweden's Hedman finds inner peace through taekwondo

© Reuters 2002

STOCKHOLM, March 14 (Reuters) - Sweden goalkeeper Magnus Hedman has taken up the Korean martial art of taekwondo to improve his goalkeeping and inner peace.

"I have become faster, stronger and grown mentally through the taekwondo training," Hedman, who plays for Coventry in the English first division, told Expressen newspaper on Thursday.

The goalkeeper said recently he had given up alcohol with the World Cup approaching and he has been taking taekwondo lessons since November.

Hedman said the training had helped him find a new inner peace. "I have learnt how to control myself, my outbursts on the pitch are fewer now. (But) I will still yell at lazy defenders who are asleep," he added. Hedman said he intended to earn a black belt.

"One of my demands is that I get to continue training taekwondo, otherwise I won't go to another club, and those are not empty words."

Hedman has been granted permission to train by Coventry's Swedish manager Roland Nilsson and Sweden coach Tommy Soderberg.

Sweden are drawn with Argentina, Nigeria and England in group F of the World Cup, starting on May 31. They face Switzerland in a friendly on March 27.

Reports provided by

Tuesday, 19 March
African soccer digest
Croatia's Kovac says there no time for experiments
Berger says he is quitting Czech national team
Dane Tofting in doubt for Ireland friendly
South Africa to compensate coach Queiroz
Monday, 18 March
South American round-up
Rivaldo's injury problems continue
Eriksson backs Nordics to win bid for Euro 2008
France's Sagnol to undergo knee surgery
Sunday, 17 March
Pele says Bora gives China chance to advance
Saturday, 16 March
Baggio on course for remarkable comeback
Madagascar make winning Coasafa Cup debut
Friday, 15 March
Mauritius bid to end poor record against Madagascar
Pakistan government vetoes Jaffna as Sri Lankan venue
Mexico coach unhappy despite 4-0 win over Albania
Finland trio to miss South Korea clash
China match-fixing referees may face prison terms
Thursday, 14 March
Dane Helveg doubtful for Ireland friendly
Sweden's Hedman finds inner peace through taekwondo
Germany's Jancker out of U.S. warm-up game
Wednesday, 13 March
Japan's Troussier calls up Santos for Ukraine match
Romania drop Ilie for Ukraine friendly
Chinese women's league plans to import players

  Copyright © 1994-2002 FIFA. All rights reserved.
  Copyright © 1994-2002 En-Linea, Inc. All rights reserved.