World Tae Kwon Do Center - Chanhassen

09/14/2026

1st BLACK BELT CANDIDATES | WTKDC CHANHASSEN

This one is different. This one is special.

For the first time in the history of World Tae Kwon Do Center – Chanhassen, we are preparing for our FIRST-EVER Black Belt Testing.

Behind every one of these headshots is a story. Years of training, challenges, mistakes, corrections, successes, setbacks, and moments when they could have stopped—but they chose to keep going.

Some may have started this journey with someone beside them who is no longer training today. But they continued. They never gave up. They kept trying, stayed positive, and kept moving forward.

And now, they are here.

This testing is more than demonstrating Taekwondo. It is an opportunity to showcase to themselves and their families just how much they have grown—not only as martial artists, but as individuals.

To the parents, grandparents, siblings, family members, friends, and everyone who has supported these students along the way: THANK YOU. The rides, encouragement, sacrifices, patience, and belief in them have all been part of this journey. You are part of this accomplishment too.

A Black Belt is one of the most valuable things a martial artist can earn. Not everyone who starts will reach this point.

It represents discipline, perseverance, respect, confidence, responsibility, courage, and commitment.

It is a testimony to one simple belief:

If you work hard, believe in yourself, and never give up, anything is possible.

Taekwondo may be an individual journey, but you never truly walk it alone. The students testing together will forever be connected by this experience. Years from now, they will remember the people they trained with, the challenges they overcame, and the memories they created together.

The job is NOT done yet.

Black Belt may be the end of one journey, but it is only the beginning of what comes next. You have built a strong foundation. What you choose to build from here and what path you take is entirely up to you.

To our first Black Belt Candidates of WTKDC Chanhassen:

Be proud. Be grateful. Support one another. Give everything you have. And make this a moment you will never forget.

Testing Date: November 7th, 2026

09/01/2026

KUKKIWON MASTER COURSE — COMPLETE

What an incredible four days of learning, challenge, reflection, and connection.

I am truly grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the Kukkiwon Master Course. This experience not only expanded my knowledge, but also helped confirm and clarify many questions I have had about the direction I want to continue taking our dojang.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to the professors and masters who dedicated their time, knowledge, and passion to all of us:

Grandmaster B**g Hwan Kim — Lectures and Education
Master Ji Seok Lee — Self-Defense and Demonstration
Grandmaster Ik Pil Kang — Poomsae
Master DaeHyun Kwon — Director of the Kukkiwon Master Course

Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to the spirit and continued growth of Taekwondo.

I always teach my students to stay focused and give 100% in everything they do. At the end of the day, whatever result you receive, you can be proud knowing you gave your best. If the result isn’t what you hoped for, learn from it, become better, and give your best again the next time.

As a leader and martial artist, I believe I must practice what I teach.

My journey in Taekwondo will never be about believing that I know everything. I will always continue to learn, listen, ask questions, and absorb knowledge from those around me. Everyone has different experiences, perspectives, and approaches to life and martial arts. Keeping your mind and heart inside a box only limits what you are able to receive.

One of the most meaningful parts of this course was seeing dedicated Taekwondo masters from around the world come together as one — to learn from one another, share experiences, and contribute to the growth of their dojangs, themselves, and the culture of Taekwondo.

I will take the knowledge I received from the Kukkiwon professors, along with the experiences and knowledge shared by the Taekwondo masters here in the United States, and bring it back to World Tae Kwon Do Center - Chanhassen.

My goal is to continue growing myself so I can continue growing my students and making our dojang even stronger.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

04/28/2026

02/08/2026

January 2026 Belt Testing

January marked more than another belt test — it reminded us of who we are becoming together.

Our students continue to grow in skill, confidence, and character, but none of this happens alone. To our parents and families: thank you for trusting us, supporting your children, and standing beside them through every challenge and victory. This community exists because of you.

Martial arts is never just about kicks and punches. It’s about how those lessons shape us on and off the mat — teaching respect, perseverance, humility, and responsibility in everyday life.

Bruce Lee once said,
“Martial arts are ultimately self-knowledge.”
And we see that every time a student steps forward to test — learning who they are, and who they can become.

General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwondo, envisioned something greater when he created this art:
“The ultimate goal of Taekwon-Do is to eliminate fighting by building a better and more peaceful world.”
Taekwondo was meant to develop strong character, moral culture, and positive influence beyond the dojang.

As we step into 2026, our goal remains clear:
to build strong individuals, uplift our community, and share the spirit of Taekwondo wherever we go.

This will be a great year.
Let’s continue to build, grow, and move forward together.

02/08/2026

December 2025 Belt Testing

December is a time of reflection.
Looking back at how far we’ve come—and forward to who we’re becoming.

At this belt testing, our students showed resilience, gratitude, and heart.
Not just in their techniques, but in their mindset, their respect, and how they carried themselves on the mat.

Taekwondo isn’t just about finishing a year strong.
It’s about carrying its lessons with us into the next season of life.

Proud of every student who stepped forward.

02/08/2026

November 2025 Belt Testing

Growth doesn’t always happen loudly.
Sometimes it’s quiet, steady, and built one class at a time.

In November, our students showed patience, perseverance, and respect—not just in their techniques, but in how they supported one another. That’s real Taekwondo.

Belts change. Character stays.

We’re continuing our story—one month, one test, one lesson at a time.

02/08/2026

You don’t always see the growth when it’s happening —
sometimes you have to look back to realize how far you’ve come.

This is October 2025 Belt Testing — one chapter in a journey built on discipline, respect, perseverance, and confidence.
Every belt earned represents more than skill; it reflects students learning to stay focused, push through challenges, and believe in themselves — on and off the mat.

Taekwondo isn’t just about kicks and forms.
It’s about the habits, mindset, and character built along the way.

October was one step.
November, December, and January follow.

The journey continues. 🥋🎬

12/21/2025

What a way to send your child off to school!
This WTKDC-C dad proudly represents our school beyond the dojang.
Every school morning, he waves his son off with a bow for respect, a punch for focus, a kick for confidence… and finishes with a perfect Taekwondo bow 🥋

Shorts on. Minnesota freezing cold ❄️
Still balanced, still strong, still showing what it means to lead by example — because true Taekwondo spirit keeps moving, no matter the weather 😄

Dads are the unspoken heroes.
Great dads create great, strong individuals.
Thank you to all the Taekwondo dads out there inspiring the next generation, one bow, one punch, and one kick at a time.

09/15/2025

Every belt earned this summer was more than a rank — it was proof of perseverance, courage, and growth. Each test showed that our students are building not only their skills, but also the life lessons of discipline, respect, and confidence that last far beyond the mat.

Because remember:
A Black Belt is a White Belt who never quit.

To everyone who tested — you’ve proven your strength, but the grind doesn’t stop here. Keep training, keep pushing, keep rising.

Testing isn’t the destination. It’s proof you’re strong enough to keep going.

08/07/2025

This week, Zeli trained at the WTKDC Headquarters in Sammamish, WA, surrounded by new faces — but grounded in the same Taekwondo spirit we practice every day here in Chanhassen.

That’s what makes this art so powerful: it bridges people, cultures, and generations.

We are one family, no matter where we train. And Zeli reminded us of that beautifully.