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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Master of the Arts- Youth
Greater Louisville, KY
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By: Maria Raque
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Photo(s) By: Cat Adams
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Grandmaster Hwang teaches martial arts to develop confidence and skills in his students. He also teaches them to give back to the community.
After winning the Silver medal in Judo at the 1984 LA Olympics, Grandmaster Jung Oh Hwang came to America as part of his 700-year plan. He taught at the University of Tennessee at Martin and Paducah Community College before starting the Hwang Academy of Martial Arts. There are four Academies in Louisville, the newest opened in St Matthews in August of 2007. Others are located in Jackson and Martin, Tennessee, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Rexburg, Idaho.
Grandmaster Hwang has been teaching the Martial Arts and Tae Kwon Do for over 30 years. He holds a 6th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, 6th degree Black Belt in Judo, and a 7th degree Black Belt in Hapkido. This makes him the first 19th degree combined black belt. He is the author of the book “A Survey in the Historical, Philosophical, Conditioning, and Educational dimensions of Tai Kwon Do and other Martial Arts.”
Perhaps the best testimony to the success of Grandmaster Hwang is the way his students speak of him. Leah Freedman and Claudia Blake, instructors at Hwang Academy of Martial Arts, are both very devoted to their grandmaster. Seven years ago, Leah Freedman’s daughter was a student at Hwang’s. She says she was watching her daughter’s classes, but Hwang wouldn’t let her just sit and watch. He encouraged her to begin training. Now she is an instructor and 2nd degree Black Belt.
Grandmaster Hwang teaches his students to “never give up until you achieve your goal.” As an instructor, Hwang believes in motivating people. His students say he has a gift for seeing in people what they don’t see in themselves.
Classes at Hwang’s vary from beginner to black belt and are offered for the whole family. A motto of the academies is “The family that kicks together sticks together”
As part of the academy’s commitment to family, Grandmaster Hwang’s wife, Master Sun Hwang, started the “Life-care” program. The life-care program offers a place for kids to go after school or during the summer. A child enrolled in the after-school care program is picked up at his or her school by one of the Hwang busses and delivered to the academy of choice. Students get a break and then participate in a martial arts class before their parents pick them up. The summer camp runs for 11 weeks and consists of three classes a day, field trips weekly, team building activities and, at the end of the 11 weeks, a student can test for their yellow belt if they choose.
The martial arts have historically provided a successful training ground for the development of discipline, character, strength and confidence. Children can learn the confidence not to live in fear, the discipline to respect their parents, as well as better concentration to improve their grades. This character development and increased confidence will allow students to become leaders at a very young age.
Grandmaster Hwang believes that if everyone studied the martial arts, world peace could be achieved and he teaches by example. Community service is a big part of his life. The Hwang Academy on Preston Highway offers classes to clients of Wayside Christian Mission. A participant from that program recently received his black belt. The Grandmaster also supports the Every 1 Reads Program. And most recently, Grandmaster Hwang and his students had an exhibition at Bellarmine University that raised $30,000 for the Crusade for Children.
Students of Hwang’s Academy of Martial Arts are proud to demonstrate their skills. You will have an opportunity to see Grandmaster Hwang and his students demonstrate their skills as they perform during the Louisville Fire Football game on May 17th.
SWAT Team – Special Winning Attitude Team members
Ashley Coulter- Bullitt East
Brandon Solley- Trinity
Robby Bebout – Moore
Pam Boroomand – Jeffersontown
Ethan Foster – Atherton
Maja Reuter – Ballard
Kari Parker – North Oldham County
Paul Gerges – Ballard
Chris Boroomand – Eastern
AJ Roby – Waggener
The 5 Tenets of Martial Arts
1. Courtesy – Acting in a respectful manner at all times
2. Integrity – Commitment to ethical and honest behavior
3. Perseverance – The willingness to keep trying even if something seems impossible to do
4. Self Control -
5. Indomitable (winning) spirit – The right attitude whether you win or lose
Marshall Ferguson – Ballard
Trevor Jones –St Xavier
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