It is also a sport where strict rules guide and direct fighting such as tournaments and the Olympic Games.  These competitions allow the opportunity to win medals and trophies, but today I am not talking about the sport of Taekwondo.  I am talking about self-defense. There are no rules, there are no medals and trophies…there are no second chances.  You do not fight for awards or for glory, you fight to save your life.

How do you intertwine the art and the sport of Taekwondo, to be able to compete and enjoy the sport but to also be ready to defend you life by any means necessary?

Practice, practice and more practice.  I cannot emphasize the importance of practice enough.

Practice is like a tree growing in the forest. As we age our bodies slow down and we can weaken.  But if we continue to train as if we are novices, our skills become like the rings on a tree, ever growing and reinforcing our bodies and minds.  We will still grow old, but we will not weaken.

I am a Taekwondo Grand Master.  I have achieved much in my life, and I am proud of my achievements, but I still strive to become stronger every day and with every practice.  I stand as the best example for my students to follow, and all masters must strive to be such an example.

Grand Master Dragon Kim, Jin Young

Grandmaster’s Story

Grand Master Dragon Kim, Jin Young immigrated to the United States from Soul, Korea in 1982. He taught self-defense and hand-to-hand combat to the Korean Police Department and United States Army. With over 50 years of experience teaching the art of Taekwondo, he displays an exceptional talent for developing the mind, body and spirit of Taekwondo students.