Leejon Taekwondo, San Jose

These are a few pictures of our annual 2026 Poomsae Challenge May 30 2026. This event was right after our annual Black Belt testing. I wish I had more patients to take more pictures and I apologize to those who worked so hard and didn't get their picture taken. A shout out to our sister school in Seattle WA. They worked so hard staging competitors and made everything run like clockwork. We had attendees from Koryo in Pleasanton, Seattle, North Valley and Master Art Jackson and his team from San Jose and of Course our other sister school Master Garr team. A great event!!!!
Winners of the cash give away
Luke Nguyễn Leejon
Amber Reed Seattle
Alex Yang Leejon (One of these days he is going to comb his hair)
Kyoni Roberts Seattle

** As a final note I was asked to create a KKW photo for master Hawks well here it is!!!!*****

Today is Memorial Day. It’s not about BBQ’s, parties , laughing and swimming. It’s about honoring those who gave their lives for our freedoms. To all service members both past and present THANK YOU.

Happy Mother’s Day to all !!!!!! You do so much for us who tend to get lost and distracted. Have a wonderful day!!

Recently I discovered the post below from another Martial artist that .. well it rang a familiar bell with me. So I have edited a bit while retaining its true story I see and hear so often. However its what exists today and its so familiar…
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A few days ago I was in Walmart grabbing water for the my Martial Arts school. A parent stopped me mid-aisle and proudly told me their 12-year-old had just earned a 3rd degree black belt which happens often since we have a McDojo school in the same city.

I looked at them, smiled, and said, “Nice.”
Because let’s be honest, there’s nothing “3rd degree” about a 12-year-old. That’s not opinion. That’s not “my style versus your style.” That’s reality.

But here’s the part people don’t like to hear: it’s not the child’s fault.

The child showed up. The child listened. The child did exactly what they were told to do. The parent paid the bills and trusted the school. From their perspective, everything is working exactly the way it’s supposed to. It isn't about building real ability in the student...it is about cashing on making them happy.

That’s the problem!
There are schools out there that have turned rank into a product. Show up, pay your fees, pass the next test. Repeat. Belt after belt, title after title, no real standard, no real pressure, no real depth. Just progression on a schedule to rake in the money.

I’ve been teaching for 35 years. I’ve seen it over and over again.

I’ve had prospective students from area schools walk into my dojang wearing black belts, some even multiple degrees, who couldn’t demonstrate basic structure, timing, or control. Not because they were lazy, but because no one ever demanded more from them. No one ever taught them, they just kept ranking them up regardless how good they truly were.

And when you show them where they actually stand? Most of them leave.

Not because they can’t improve, but because starting over means giving up the illusion. And most people would rather live the lie than truly earn it.

That’s the truth.

Every school can run how it wants. Every style has its own method. But there is a line between teaching martial arts and selling rank, and a lot of places crossed it a long time ago.

A belt is supposed to represent time, pressure, failure, refinement, sacrifice, hard work and growth. It’s supposed to mean you’ve been tested...not processed.

When I walked out of that store, I didn’t feel impressed. I didn’t feel angry either.

I felt bad for the kid because, one day they’re going to find out what that rank actually means when it’s put under real pressure.

And I felt worse for the parent because they probably spent thousands of dollars thinking they were investing in something that held real ability, skill and value.

All you can do is make sure that inside your own dojang, rank isn’t something you buy.

It’s something you earn.

Having dinner with my instructor and life long friend. There is joy in my heart tonight!

Recently we had two intermediate students choose to leave our program. A sudden decision to leave is NOT all that un common and are all part of the business. We have found once a student reaches intermediate and advanced levels, we find their general physical investment (floor training time) is far too valuable for them to leave without obtaining a BB. In this case both students were at intermediate levels about half way to testing for their black belts. In general, these where good students, reliable, respectful and consistent however, in this particular case, the students leaving was all based on their over indulgent parents constantly attempting to interfere with the process with their thinking they know best about Martial Arts.
For the most part most, parents stay back and trust us and the process. Then there are a few who constantly attempt to negotiate and navigate the rules. Things like attendance, important activity days, testing requirements and so on. These rules are all documented and consistently reinforced throughout a student’s journey. Most often the parents drop their children off and never really spend much time to watch and or monitor their child’s activity. However, they are first in line to often complain or attempt to negotiate about one thing or another.
My point is rules are in fact there for a reason and offer all of us guidelines and boundaries to manage not only our martial arts carriers but life lessons. Yet the easy way out is always first choice. It is a shame to lose students like this not only for the students involved, but Taekwondo loses too. Compromising is not an option! You are not doing your child any favors by negotiating their potential. Trust us and follow the rules the process will take care of its self! Its proven system going on 50 years now. This is what separates us from run of the mill programs only looking for $$$$$

This was Black Belt testing up in Seattle (last weekend) at our sister school.It was a good day! Spirit was up test was tough, this says a lot on how the tradition continues. NOT watered down, no quitters , No excuses and certainly no favors!
Congratulations to all candidates and to all the staff, including board holders, photography folks and to every one who supported this event....the future looks great!

The Date is set May 30th 2026. The annual Dojang Sports organization will conduct our annual Black Belt testing. Directly after Black Belt testing will sponsor the Poomsae challenge competition. Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. Medals will be furnished by the Korea Taekwondo Moo Duo Kwan Association this year. Let's get ready and support this event. Any questions please contact the office.
Let them hear us!
Let them see us!
Let them admire us!
That is who we are!!!!!
Good luck to candidates..