I started this Taekwon-do journey in 1983 under Grand Master Sang Soo Kim (Tiger Kim) where I trained for 6 years before getting my 1st degree black belt in WTF. Shortly after receiving my belt the school was sold to another instructor who did not hold the values of a true Taekwon-Do instructor. I left that school and bounced around for a year or so until finding an ITF instructor (Sergio Haritos IV degree) who was a member of the USTF at the time, I trained with him for 3 years before opening my own school (Meadowlands Taekwon-do in Secaucus NJ from 1993 to 2008). I was state director for the USTF for a time.
During this time, I competed at the local, national and international level roughly 3 to 4 times a year from 1990 - 2001. Regularly placing 1st , 2nd or 3rd in Sparring, Patterns and Breaking. Some of my proudest accomplishments were being selected to:
USA team in 1997 to compete at the 10th ITF World Championships in Saint Petersburg Russia.
- 1998 Texas State Championship Austin TX, Bronze medal in Sparring, Silver medal in Patterns.
- 1998 Selected to compete in Ireland, unable to attend.
- 1999 USA National Team selections, Midland TX, Silver medalist men’s Heavy weight sparring. Selected as an alternate for USA team member 11th ITF World Championships, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- 1991 Mr. P Lui North American Championships ITF, Ottawa Canada. Bronze medal men’s heavy weight division (Against World Champion Pierre Guenette).
While part of the US-ITF under Grand Master Wheatley I am able to train with an amazing group of instructors including Grand Master Jue, Master Geoghegan, Master Van Zile and so many more I couldn’t name them all. I was fortunate to train multiple times with General Choi at international instructor courses and world summer camp. Those seminars also included President Choi. I am truly honored to be a part of the US-ITF. Our organization is run by true professionals in the ITF. I am very privileged to say I am a student of Grand Master Wheatley.