ACE Taekwondo Academy

Massive congratulations to all that participated this weekend at championships.

A well run local event for grassroot students entering for the first time and just to gain experience and or for those that have some experience and want to try something new at their new level

I am so extremely proud of everyone’s efforts today. You all challenged yourself and stepped outside of your comfort zone to grow and gain valuable experience.

everybody was a win winner today

17 athletes…5 Gold, 7 Silver , 5 Bronze (just counting the sparring medals. With Poomsae - add another 10 medals for a total of 27 medals

Thank you for voluntary for support on the floor and help with the athletes during staging

Thank you too .tkd.academy for your support with additional coaches when needed

Huge congratulations to all the athletes today that participated at the championships

Outstanding results with 6 gold 🥇and 2 silver 🥈 in the sparring division

Of course, a massive special thanks to the coaches at .tkd.academy who are kind enough to cover my coaching spot in my absence.

🥋 Between every belt… there’s a story.

Mistakes.
Falls.
Pain.
Growth.

Every bruise, every failure, every comeback…
builds the fighter you’re becoming 💥

Respect the process. Trust the journey.
Black belt is not given… it’s earned. 🥇

📣 The 2026 Canada Open – World Taekwondo G2 is kicking off! 🥋🔥

Today marks the start of one of the most important competitions of the season: the 2026 Canada Open, a World Taekwondo G2 event where athletes from around the world will compete in Kyorugi and Poomsae 🥇🌎.

📍 Location: WinSport – Calgary, Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦
🗓️ Dates: February 26-28, 2026

🌟 Youth and adults in cadet, junior, and senior categories will compete to earn points in the WT rankings and start the international season strong.

🥋 Kyorugi – Combat full of speed, technique, and heart
📊 Poomsae – Perfect precision, power, and form

Competitors from more than 70 countries are ready to give it their all on the tatami.
✨ Follow the action!
💬 Who will be today's stars?
📸 Tag your favorite athletes and support them in the comments 👇

🥋 DISCIPLINE IN TAEKWONDO 🥋

Discipline is not punishment.
It’s dedication to yourself, to your business!

This is getting up when you don’t feel like it.
It’s a thousand times of repeating the punch until it’s perfect.
Listen to hints, correct mistakes and try again.

Discipline builds character.
She teaches respect, consistency and self control.
Prepares you for battle and for life!

A black belt is not formed in months!
It’s built on years of daily discipline.

Talent can give you an edge,
but discipline makes you invincible!. 💥🔥

Simple…work for it and earn it. Unfortunately so many school just had out belts and I see this all the time when they come to me from another school.

Parents are shocked and kids are deflated knowing they really are not at the level they’re at.

Let’s be honest...promoting someone who hasn’t earned it teaches them nothing.

No Sensei enjoys telling a student they’re not ready for a belt exam. But a real teacher stands firm. If they don’t, they’re not teaching value. They’re just selling rank.

In a culture of participation awards, many people think showing up and going through the motions is enough. It’s not. That is not how martial arts training works.

We teach the standards. We drill the material. You go home, study, practice, and return ready to prove you’ve mastered it. Only then should promotion even be considered. Otherwise, we are failing to teach how achievement actually works.

There are no participation trophies in a good martial arts school. We push students to become better than they were yesterday. A Sensei must clearly define expectations and stand firm on them. If we don’t, we fail to instill one of the most important traits martial arts builds: indomitable spirit.

That spirit is what carries students to heights they never imagined...both in their Karate and in life outside the dojo.

It’s easy to spot someone who was handed a black belt instead of earning it. The fundamentals aren’t there. What’s tragic is that many of those students might have truly earned it under proper standards...and been GREAT had they had a good Sensei!

If you’re afraid to tell a student they’re not ready, you’re not helping them. Promotion should come only after the work has been done, the standards met, and the skills proven.

Anything less is catering to comfort instead of building character.

That’s how I see it.