About Grandmaster Soonho Hong
Grand Master Soonho Hong is a Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Federation certified eighth degree black belt and a world-renowned Grand Master of Taekwondo. He has devoted his life to Taekwondo and its development locally, nationally and internationally. He first began Taekwondo at age 7 in Seoul, South Korea under the instruction of his father, Great Grand Master Chong Soo Hong, in addition to specially training at the Moo Duk Kwan headquarters in Korea. Grand Master Hong founded S.H. Hong Taekwondo Academy and opened his first dojang in the United States in Santa Maria, CA in 1991, his second dojang in Vancouver, WA in 1997, and his current dojang in Santa Maria, CA in in 2011. He has also taught Taekwondo at colleges and for thousands of soldiers in the Korean army.
Raised in the heritage of the Korean art of self-defense, Grand Master has immense wisdom of the tradition and techniques of martial arts. He inspires and guides students and instructors with Korean tradition and encourages them to develop strength of the mind, body, and spirit through Taekwondo. He emphasizes mental as well as physical discipline. Grand Master encourages students to finish whatever they decide to start, and to give one’s 100% effort in all endeavors. As Grand Master always says, “practice like you are testing, and test like you are practicing.”
Grand Master Hong’s goal is to improve as many lives as possible through Taekwondo. He emphasizes well-rounded discipline in all areas of life, not only at the studio but also at home, school, and work. He teaches students that the level of discipline in the Taekwondo lifestyle can be applied academically, professionally, and socially. He encourages reaching for ones’ dreams and striving for excellence in all areas of life.
In addition to his influence in Taekwondo, he has an impressive academic education. He has two Bachelors of Science in both Education and History and a Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He is a licensed Acupuncturist Doctor (LAc) and has a PhD in Asian Medicine.
In addition to his influence in Taekwondo, he has an impressive academic education. He has two Bachelors of Science in both Education and History and a Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He is a licensed Acupuncturist Doctor (LAc) and has a PhD in Asian Medicine.
He shares with all of his students the solid philosophies of Martial Arts discipline, including self-control, respect, perseverance, and goal-setting. As a result of his influence, his students strengthen their self-confidence as they mature through the belt ranks and gain valuable wisdom for their daily lives. Grand Master Hong not only teaches the physical aspects of Taekwondo, but influences students to strive for personal achievements, encourages personal growth, and emphasizes the importance of values. He is genuinely concerned with the well-being of students mentally, physically, and spiritually. Many of our students view Grand Master as their “father figure.”