INSTRUCTORS & STAFF
9th Dan Taekwondo
Founder and Owner
GRAND MASTER PYONG TUK KO
With well over forty years of experience as an instructor, Grand Master Ko has made it his life goal to combine Eastern and Western styles of exercise to create the safest and most effective form of exercise for everyone, no matter what age or fitness level.
He holds a 9th degree black belt under Kukkiwon (the governing body of World Taekwondo certification) with deep knowledge of Taekwondo, as well as Hapkido and Tai Chi. He is also a Certified Personal Trainer, MMA Conditioning Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Performance and Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, allowing him to utilize modern scientific findings to enhance our martial arts training.
Grand Master Ko’s contributions to the world of Taekwondo have led to international recognition: He has served as the US National team manager and coach for the World Taekwondo Championships in 1991 (Athens, Greece) and 1995 (Osaka, Japan) and President George Bush commended him for contributions as Tournament Director of the 18th US National Taekwondo Championships for the Selection of the US National Olympic Taekwondo Team at the Hampton Coliseum in 1992. He is a former President of the VA State Taekwondo Association. Before coming to America, he was an instructor for the Republic of Korea (ROK) army and Captain Instructor of the Chun-buk National University Taekwondo Championship Team.
Weapon Fan Demo
USAT Nationals in Richmond 2016
6th Dan Taekwondo
Head Instructor and Manager
MASTER SANG MEE KO
Sang Mee has dedicated her life to continuing the family business and helping people through the practice of martial arts to build strong minds, bodies, and spirits. Her specialty is poomsae and flexibility. She has a B.A. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia and then earned an MBA from the College of William & Mary to better serve her students. Her hobbies include running, writing, and hanging out with her Taekwonbaby as she embraces her new life as Sabum-mom.
5th Dan Taekwondo
MASTER MARVIN BOZARTH
Before coming to our school, Master Bozarth owned and taught karate at Morning Martial Arts (1989-1991) with a 1st Gup in Goju-Ryu Karate. He now also has a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo and been with WMA for over 17 years as an instructor and occasional carpenter – many of the wooden apparatus around our dojang were custom-made by him, such as the window bars, weapons rack, benches, and more!
Master Bozarth is also a certified USA Taekwondo (USAT) referee and often volunteers at local competitions to bring the spirit of Taekwondo sportsmanship to life. He is retired from the United States Air Force with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.
5th Dan Taekwondo
MASTER BENJAMIN BASHORE
Master Ben began training at WMA when he was 8 years old. He had the opportunity to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and it inspires him to train his students at a high level. He earned his B.A. in Psychology at Hamden Sydney College and plans on pursuing more knowledge in graduate school.
4th Dan Taekwondo
MASTER JAESUNG PARK
Jaesung has trained under Grand Master Ko since he was five years old and has become a respectable sparring athlete and coach. He currently studies computer science at Christopher Newport University.
Adult Instructors
OTHER INSTRUCTORS
Mr. Michael Cummings (4th Dan)
Mr. Paul Purington (2nd Dan)
Mr. Luke Lillehei (2nd Dan)
Mr. Michael Walton (1st Dan)
Mr. Stephen Living (1st Dan)
Our black belt leaders!
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our junior Leadership Team also helps teach class, gaining confidence in handling responsibilities and gaining deeper knowledge of martial arts in the process.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Make a Worthwhile Difference
Our team strives to strengthen minds, bodies, and spirits through martial arts. We look for people with lots of energy and passion to make meaningful and personal impact in people's lives because they care about our Taekwondo family. We not only better our students - they better us.
In addition to martial arts instructors, we also need vital support staff: classroom assistants and drivers for our Before & After School Program as well as tech support and secretaries. So while previous martial arts experience is preferred, there are other opportunities to experience the powerful community that is a martial arts school!
INSTRUCTOR
We teach Kukkiwon/World Taekwondo/Olympic-style Taekwondo in addition to Hapkido and Tai Chi. Prospective instructors should have a Kukkiwon-certified black belt and have a positive attitude towards teaching and continuing to expand their martial arts knowledge.
Requirements: experience teaching at a Taekwondo dojang, clean driving record, background check, CPR/first aid
Preferred, but not required: competitive sparring experience, coaching experience, demo team experience
CLASSROOM ASSISTANT
Martial arts experience not required, but free lessons are provided if interested! Classroom assistants are responsible for driving our vans to safely transport children, helping tidy the classroom, helping with homework, and general cleaning.
Requirements: clean driving record, background check, CPR/first aid, child care experience
Preferred, but not required: CDL B or C, martial arts experience