I know of Apex Tigers Martial Arts, from various competitions over the years at both the state and national levels. I recently looked at the school in consideration of switching taekwondo schools for my son who is a recent and new black belt. I am considering moving from our current school as our contract ends, and enrolling my child into another school to gain more experience in competition sparring. While the Apex school team members are reasonably good, I unfortunately now can't say the same about the Head Master and founder. After a recent incident I witnessed, Master Kwon seems to not represent what I'm looking for as a good role model to the kids in the program, and for the school itself in my opinion. I recently was at the 2016 USAT National Championships held in July in Richmond, Virginia. I observed a kids black belt finals competition between two young kids, that were both very talented and had won several fights to reach the finals, with more than 28 kids in that division. However, after the child from Apex won in that final competition, (under some controversy with calls by the referees in favor for Apex), there were several complaints from the opposing team. I was just an observer of both teams at the event, and just stopped by to watch Apex compete since I was considering enrolling my son in the school. Master Kwon from Apex Tigers is also a USA Taekwondo referee, and was a referee at that event as well. To my surprise, Master Kwon got into a very unprofessional, verbal argument with parents and families from the opposing team. He threatened one parent in the stands, and Kwon's wife (who also works at Apex) was verbally abusive and was cursing and used degrading remarks against the children and opponent from the opposing team. Master Kwon then surprisingly said in public (to one parent in the stands that he was arguing with), that he was "a USAT referee and official also, and that he would be refereeing over the next few days at the tournament, and would be "looking for" the children from that particularly TKD school", implying that he would be cheating??? When the parent shockingly, asked him if he was threatening him, Master Kwon just smiled. I was shocked and disappointed at this behavior from the master of a school. Then, when the kids were on the mat to receive their medals, Master Kwon vindictively, stood in front of the parents of the opposing team, to block them from taking photos of their kids, and refused to move out of the way. I was disturbed with this display of bad sportsmanship and unfairness to the kids who look up to these masters and all work so hard to reach this level of competition.
I found the Master and his wife's behavior to be very unprofessional and troubling as a Head Master at a Taekwondo school. This kind of behavior sets a bad example to not only his kids and school but to all young competitors in the sport. In my opinion, his actions and behavior were unacceptable as a leader of a school, and sets the tone as a bad role model in his position of authority and as a USAT refereeing official. There clearly seemed to be in my opinion, a conflict in interest when coaching kids in competition and being a judge and referee as well at that same competition. This requires a certain amount of integrity and fairness in an individual, which I failed to see after witnessing this incident, I expect the master of a school to be professional at all times and to show and teach good sportsmanship, which is such an important aspect in any sport and as a good role model to our children. The Master's improper and vindictive behavior in front of the children and parents unfortunately reflects badly not only on himself as an individual, but also on his organization, kids and parents who attend the school. In my opinion, this type of behavior is not good or needed in this sport. It was very disappointing to see the Master who is suppose to be teaching kids about not only the physical aspects of the sport and competition, but also about integrity, fairness, good sportsmanship, and the moral aspects of participating not only in sports but applying this to life. After speaking to other parents with kids currently enrolled at Apex Tigers Martial Arts school, who were also a little uncomfortable and very surprised with their Head Master's actions at this event, I was convinced that this is probably not the right school for my child, and will look elsewhere to enroll my son. read more