Originally from Cheongju in South Korea, Sangwon Jeong is a martial arts master specializing in the Korean art form of Taekwondo. Taekwondo translates to “the way of punching and kicking” and involves fast kicking techniques. Master Jeong is the Director of World Class Martial Arts, established in 2019 as one of the largest martial arts facilities in the Miami area. Having served as Special Guard for the South Korean President, he holds a 6th Dan (or rank) black belt in Taekwondo and a 2nd degree black belt in Judo. Master Jeong has fostered the Taekwondo tradition globally through his work on the Education Committee of the World University Taekwondo Federation and the Overseas Taekwondo Development Special Committee. Through his classes, demonstrations, and self-defense workshops, he shares his passion and commitment to making learning martial arts easy and accessible.
Residency Programs
Family Fun Day: Celebrating Korean Culture
Saturday, September 9
FREE
Taekwondo Demonstration and Workshop at CultureFest 305
Saturday, November 4
FREE
Workshop: Self-Defense Taekwondo
Saturday, December 2
Registration required
More about Sangwon Jeong
The following is from an interview HistoryMiami Museum conducted with Sangwon Jeong in 2023.
1. What is your name and where were you born?
My name is Sangwon Jeong. I was born in Cheongju, South Korea.
2. When and why did you move to Miami?
In April 2011, I was invited to the 20th anniversary celebration of Master Sang’s TNT Academy as a Taekwondo demonstration team and visited Miami for the first time. At the time of the visit, Master SangKoo Kang extended an invitation for me to be a Taekwondo instructor, and I accepted the invitation.
3. What forms of martial art do you practice?
I am practicing Taekwondo, a martial art unique to Korea and a martial art that is widely spread throughout the world.
Taekwondo is a martial art that attacks or defends with the hands and feet anytime, anywhere without any weapons. It values the human being as a whole and involves both mental and physical training.
As a physical exercise, Taekwondo has a great effect on the growth and development of children and the physical strength and health of young adults and the elderly. Taekwondo’s technical system and exercise form are designed to use each segment of the body in a balanced way, so that the flexibility of the joints develop evenly. In addition, it is a great help in relieving stress and achieving mental health. As a bare-body martial art, Taekwondo has a technical system of striking opponents with bare hands and feet.
4. What sets Taekwondo apart from other forms of martial art?
In particular, what sets it apart from other martial arts is its powerful and diverse foot techniques. Foot technique is the reason why Taekwondo can be said to be the world’s strongest martial art and exists as a differentiated sport. It was introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and has been adopted as an official sport since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
And most of all, what differentiates it from other martial arts is that it greatly helps students’ mental training and character development (focus, respect, patience, cooperation) through the spirit of Taekwondo.
5. How did you learn the tradition?
Because Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, almost all boys in Korea learn Taekwondo. I discovered my talent among them, and I am still training and teaching.
6. Tell us about your Taekwondo school in Miami.
World Class Martial Arts opened in Miami in September 2019 and has trained many students. Many of our students have participated in major competitions in the region and were successful as proven by medals and honors. In addition, we partner and volunteer with local organizations in the South Florida, like libraries, city halls, and Miami-Dade County. We currently have 200 students.
7. What is your teaching philosophy?
My philosophy of teaching is that human beings should always grow and find happiness in that growth. Therefore, the core of my teaching is to help students set specific goals for their lives through Taekwondo, and I help them develop day by day by working hard toward those goals.
However, what is more important than the happiness in growth mentioned above is cooperation that comes from respecting the other person. I believe that if this harmony is achieved, a beautiful world can be created where many people are happy.
In conclusion, my ultimate goal is to help create a story in the life of each student with my educational philosophy through Taekwondo.
8. What do you enjoy most about teaching others this tradition?
I enjoy when Taekwondo practitioners are happy because their Taekwondo skills and their lives are improved.
In partnership with the Miami-Dade County Asian-American Advisory Board.
Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts
