Master Chris Leyesa is a 7th Degree Black Belt with nearly four decades of Taekwon-Do experience, beginning his training in 1987. He has over 30 years of teaching experience. As the chief instructor and owner of the Wushu Taekwon-Do Academy in New Jersey, Master Leyesa blends traditional ITF fundamentals with modern performance training, like methodology, emphasizing biomechanics, kinesiology, discipline, and moral culture.
2022 – TEAM USA Qualifiers (Houston, Texas) • 1st Place – Patterns • 3rd Place – Sparring • 7th Place of 30 – Power Breaking
2021 – North American Championships (Houston, Texas) • 1st Place – Patterns • 1st Place – Sparring
Earlier in his martial arts career (1995-2002), Master Leyesa earned numerous medals across the Americas in open martial arts championships, achieving top placements in the forms, weapons, sparring, and team events.
Coaching & Team Development
Master Leyesa is widely respected for his ability to develop world-level athletes. His coaching accomplishments span multiple years of Team USA representation in all aspects of competitive ITF Taekwon-Do; Patterns, Sparring, Power and Specialty Breaking.
"We take pride in being well-rounded, but our sparring program continues to stand out at the national and world level." -ML
2022 – ITF World Championships (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Master Leyesa successfully coached four students who qualified to represent Team USA, marking an early milestone for his academy on the world stage.
2025 – ITF World Championships (Barcelona, Spain)
His success continued with seven students qualifying for Team USA, including:
•Two juniors, with his son Nolan earning a spot on the elite 7-member Junior Boys Team
•Two adultcompetitors selected for the 7-member Men’s Team
•Three additional athletes qualifying in individual events
Master Leyesa believes Taekwon-Do is a lifelong journey rooted in integrity, perseverance, and responsibility. Hence their school motto; "The Journey To A Better You."
