Taekwondo and Analytics Have More in Common Than You Might Think

Name: Cameron Massay
Major: Business Analytics

Cameron Massay is a fourth-degree black belt and international competitor for Team USA. He’s also a sophomore at Montclair State University, majoring in Business Analytics.

For Massay, the connection between taekwondo and analytics is more natural than it might seem.

"There are definitely similarities. When you dive deep into taekwondo, there's a lot about technique and strategy, and planning out your moves before capitalizing on them. We're learning similar strategies in my business classes, especially when it comes to planning and executing."

But the connection goes beyond strategy. Massay says years of taekwondo training have also taught him how to focus, stay disciplined and keep his mind organized – skills he carries into the classroom.

"I'd say it definitely trains you. There are a lot of aspects of taekwondo, especially mentally. There's the physical part, but there's also the mental part. At my taekwondo school, we had to memorize general knowledge about Korean figures associated with different belt colors, and they also teach you discipline and how to teach others, whether they're older or younger. I think all of that helps me regroup my focus instead of having everything scattered."

That discipline has carried him through increasingly competitive levels of the sport. Massay has represented the U.S. in countries including Canada, Mexico, Romania, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Spain. At the junior level, he ranked among the top four in the world in his division.

Facing New Challenges

When Massay turned 18, he moved into the senior division, where he faced veteran athletes as old as 32. The jump brought a new level of competition – and a reminder that even an accomplished athlete has to adjust.

"That was a big step for me. There's a big difference between competing against younger guys and competing against grown adults. It took me a few tournaments to get used to it.”

Leading up to last May’s 2026 Pan American Taekwondo Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Massay built his spring academic schedule around intensive training hours. It helped that Montclair’s location was convenient to his practice clubs near campus and NYC.

Ten days before leaving, he injured his foot in practice. He competed anyway, losing his opening match in the men's under-80-kilogram division (about 176 pounds) to a Brazilian opponent.

"First things first, the experience was amazing. I love Rio. Tournament-wise, it was pretty disappointing. It's not my first time losing. I've lost plenty of times in the past, but because I've lost before, I've been able to overcome it and learn from my losses. That's one thing my coaches always tell me: Don't be afraid to lose. Just go out there, and if you happen to lose, you have to learn from where you failed. Every time I've done that, I've been able to learn from my mistakes and come back."

Where It Started

Growing up in Monroe Township, New Jersey, Cameron was 6 years old when he started taekwondo.

"My parents said I had a lot of energy as a kid, so they wanted me to do something to calm down. They tried soccer, but that wasn't really for me. They said I used to pick flowers instead of actually playing."

His home club, Fast Kicks in Spotswood, became a second family and a springboard to international competition.  

"Taekwondo just stuck more for me. It's the focus, it's the discipline. You need to listen to the master. You can't be picking flowers, because you really need to be focused on what's going on there on the mat.”