Master Joesph Seszko, VIII Dan
Master Joseph Seszko, VIII Dan, is a senior Taekwon-Do instructor, international official, competitor, coach, and self-defense specialist with more than five decades of martial arts experience.
Master Seszko began serious martial arts training in 1970. From his earliest training, he was inspired by the combination of power, precision, technique, and discipline found in martial arts and quickly developed a passion for teaching. His primary Taekwon-Do instructor was Grand Master Tompkins, under whom he developed the technical foundation that continues to influence his teaching today.
Since becoming a certified instructor in 1980, Master Seszko has dedicated his career to developing students and helping them achieve excellence both inside and outside the dojang. He is an ITF Class A International Umpire and has participated in seminars and training conducted by many of the most influential figures in Taekwon-Do, including General Choi Hong Hi, Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, Grand Master Park Jung Tae, Grand Master Tompkins, Grand Master Nicholls, and Grand Master Robert N. Wheatley.
Master Seszko is particularly recognized for his expertise in self-defense and practical defensive tactics. His self-defense instruction and demonstrations have received recognition from students, instructors, and martial arts organizations. His approach combines traditional Taekwon-Do techniques with practical defensive applications developed through decades of martial arts training and professional law-enforcement experience.
In addition to his martial arts career, Master Seszko has served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Belmont County Sheriff's Department since 1988. His law-enforcement career has provided him with extensive practical experience in defensive tactics, physical fitness, and officer safety.
He graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 1989, the Ohio Peace Officer Corrections Academy in 1993, and completed the Ohio Law Enforcement Instructors Course at Hocking College in 1998. He is also a member of a Certified SWAT Team.
Through the State of Ohio, Master Seszko has been certified to instruct ASP, OC Spray, Taser, Physical Fitness, and Defensive Tactics. His combination of law-enforcement training and traditional martial arts experience has made self-defense one of his primary areas of expertise.
COMPETITION & INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCEMaster Seszko competed extensively in open martial arts tournaments from 1980 through 1992, earning numerous awards and achieving Grand Champion honors.
At the 1986 North American Championships in Regina, Canada, Master Seszko earned two Gold Medals and one Silver Medal. His accomplishments were recognized at the event by General Choi Hong Hi.
In 1992, Master Seszko was inducted into Clarence West's Superstars Hall of Fame, recognizing his accomplishments and contributions to the martial arts community.
In 1994, he represented Team USA at the GTF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, competing on the international stage.
Master Seszko has also played important roles at ITF World Championships. At the 2004 ITF World Championships in South Korea, he served as a Jury President, contributing his experience and expertise to the professional administration of international competition. He also participated in the 2007 ITF World Championships in England.
Beyond his own competitive career, Master Seszko has developed and coached numerous black belt students who have competed at national and international championships, including both GTF and ITF World Championships. His students have earned Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, reflecting his long-term commitment to competitor development and coaching.
Master Seszko was promoted to 8th-degree black belt on January 15, 2005. He is an active member of the United States International Taekwon-Do Federation (US-ITF).
Today, Master Seszko continues to teach and mentor students with the goal of helping them become champions not only in Taekwon-Do, but also in education, career, family, character, and life.
His career represents more than five decades of dedication to Taekwon-Do, martial arts education, competition, international officiating, self-defense, law enforcement, and the development of future generations of practitioners.
Master Seszko began serious martial arts training in 1970. From his earliest training, he was inspired by the combination of power, precision, technique, and discipline found in martial arts and quickly developed a passion for teaching. His primary Taekwon-Do instructor was Grand Master Tompkins, under whom he developed the technical foundation that continues to influence his teaching today.
Since becoming a certified instructor in 1980, Master Seszko has dedicated his career to developing students and helping them achieve excellence both inside and outside the dojang. He is an ITF Class A International Umpire and has participated in seminars and training conducted by many of the most influential figures in Taekwon-Do, including General Choi Hong Hi, Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, Grand Master Park Jung Tae, Grand Master Tompkins, Grand Master Nicholls, and Grand Master Robert N. Wheatley.
Master Seszko is particularly recognized for his expertise in self-defense and practical defensive tactics. His self-defense instruction and demonstrations have received recognition from students, instructors, and martial arts organizations. His approach combines traditional Taekwon-Do techniques with practical defensive applications developed through decades of martial arts training and professional law-enforcement experience.
In addition to his martial arts career, Master Seszko has served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Belmont County Sheriff's Department since 1988. His law-enforcement career has provided him with extensive practical experience in defensive tactics, physical fitness, and officer safety.
He graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 1989, the Ohio Peace Officer Corrections Academy in 1993, and completed the Ohio Law Enforcement Instructors Course at Hocking College in 1998. He is also a member of a Certified SWAT Team.
Through the State of Ohio, Master Seszko has been certified to instruct ASP, OC Spray, Taser, Physical Fitness, and Defensive Tactics. His combination of law-enforcement training and traditional martial arts experience has made self-defense one of his primary areas of expertise.
COMPETITION & INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCEMaster Seszko competed extensively in open martial arts tournaments from 1980 through 1992, earning numerous awards and achieving Grand Champion honors.
At the 1986 North American Championships in Regina, Canada, Master Seszko earned two Gold Medals and one Silver Medal. His accomplishments were recognized at the event by General Choi Hong Hi.
In 1992, Master Seszko was inducted into Clarence West's Superstars Hall of Fame, recognizing his accomplishments and contributions to the martial arts community.
In 1994, he represented Team USA at the GTF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, competing on the international stage.
Master Seszko has also played important roles at ITF World Championships. At the 2004 ITF World Championships in South Korea, he served as a Jury President, contributing his experience and expertise to the professional administration of international competition. He also participated in the 2007 ITF World Championships in England.
Beyond his own competitive career, Master Seszko has developed and coached numerous black belt students who have competed at national and international championships, including both GTF and ITF World Championships. His students have earned Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, reflecting his long-term commitment to competitor development and coaching.
Master Seszko was promoted to 8th-degree black belt on January 15, 2005. He is an active member of the United States International Taekwon-Do Federation (US-ITF).
Today, Master Seszko continues to teach and mentor students with the goal of helping them become champions not only in Taekwon-Do, but also in education, career, family, character, and life.
His career represents more than five decades of dedication to Taekwon-Do, martial arts education, competition, international officiating, self-defense, law enforcement, and the development of future generations of practitioners.