I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a student of Grandmaster Dong's teachings. I started taking classes because my daughter was, and I thought it might be good for my health and fitness. Initially, during my first class, I remember thinking, "nope, this is not for me!" I felt way too uncoordinated and clumsy to do any of it. But I was encouraged to hear from the other students that they felt that way at first too, but then they started to get the hang of it. And so I kept coming back and I got the hang of it too. Eventually, my husband, our daughter and I all earned our first-degree blacks belt from Grandmaster Dong's School. Our daughter got hers first, when she was 16. And the confidence she gained from her sticking it out, even when she didn't feel like it and accomplishing her goal--and honoring her commitment--was life-changing for her. I use what I've learned from my training in every day life. I have become much stronger and my balance is much improved, and I move around much more efficiently and am quick on my feet. My reflexes are faster. I have also had use my skills to actually defend myself recently, and I was able to do so effectively and automatically, without hesitation. Everyone needs to know how to defend themselves, especially women. But what I have gained from training goes far beyond the utility of self-defense. I'm stronger overall mentally and physically. One example is last summer-my husband and I decided to take a surfing lesson. He was 50 and I was 48. Surfing is not easy! It requires a significant amount of strength and stamina to pop up, balance and stand (or crouch) and actually stay upright and ride a wave. Well I was able to do it on my first attempt. If I had not been doing martial arts regularly, there's no way I would have been able to get myself up on the board at all, let alone remain upright all the way to the shore without breaking a hip. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do it again after that. Beginner's Luck? Most likely. But I know I definitely had the strength because of the years of training at Grandmaster Dong's. One of the best decisions I've ever made was to come here. read more

Both our son and daughter attend Dong's Karate. They have grown so much through these classes. There is not only an expectation to learn and understand the taekwondo forms and philosophy but to also become caring, empathic human beings, embrace discipline and build self-confidence. What a well rounded program. read more

Our kiddo has only been attending classes for a few weeks but we already love the Dongs Karate School! The school has a strong foundation of values that it teaches the children to support them both at home and in school. Our kiddo is super shy but we are already seeing a change in confidence in her and a love for attending classes. Since it is COVID-19 season they require her to remove her shoes at the door, they clean the mats after each class, have the students wash their hands upon entering and take her temperature before entering and they limit the amount of people in the school. All of those precautions make us feel safe about her practicing at this school. We look forward to all that she will accomplish in this environment. read more

After doing Dong's Karate for 23 Years,I have a good social life and a good way to keep myself physically fit and mentally alert and stable. I'm in my way to being a 6th degree black belt I'm looking forward to it! It has also helped my intellectual,mental and spiritual life and I plan to keep on going! There is a reason to go mad if it weren't for martial arts and it help to fearlessly confront the trials of this world. I definitely recommend Dong's Karate for what it has done for many,many people as well as myself! read more

Very knowledgeable kind instructor's. They stay on schedule but still have fun.he equally praise's and helps everyone.

Grandmaster Dong's school is my second home. My 2 son's and I attend the family class and also the color appropriate classes, I can honestly speak from the heart, this school has the right approach! Grandmaster Dong's himself is a really humble and highly skilled man. His higher level black belts are always more than willing to help my family and I with perfecting our skills. It's true, you can gauge how good a dojo/dojang school is by the number of black belts they produce. Again, a special thanks to Grandmaster S. Dong, Mike, Stephen and Carlton for being patient with me to finally achieve my black belt!!! Lol, and of course to the guy who shoots/edit the videos read more

My son have been wanting to do karate school for a year. We started a while ago and it is amazing to see how well the teacher works with the sudents. Also the small classes, and 2 teachers/ group of 6 students gives a really great quality of each lesson. It is not just about the sport teaching them respect, filosofi, and how to be humble. A great place to see your child grow. read more

I came to Richmond having studied with a Grandmaster in Tae Kwon Do as well as a Master in a Japanese style. I took my time checking out the available schools. After a month of physically visiting schools and speaking with the instructors, I chose Dongs Karate. Why? Because he has a caring approach to teaching. In looking around the school you see evidence of years of instruction. You also see a wall where you see the photos of at least 40 Masters who have earned their rank at this school over the years. After sitting and watching a class and see what existed as I sat their, the choice was easy. BTW, I do not regret my choice for a second. read more

Great place if you enjoy seeing 9 year old kids who are doing their best humiliated in public and accused of not studying the book by the Grandmaster, when it turns out the answer given is actually in the book, which was written by the Grandmaster, but the Grandmaster didn't know what is in his book, and when this is pointed out to the Grandmaster he does not apologize, but justifies his behavior by saying he is just trying to teach manners, which ignores the point that there would not have been a need to teach manners if the Grandmaster knew what was in his book well enough to know he had already gotten a correct answer to his question. Which leads the 7 year old to say, "He may be a black belt, but he forgot the white belt question "why do you learn to apologize?"" Apparently he does not know, because he should have apologized, and he did not. read more

Three years ago, I wrote a five-star Yelp review for the Midlothian branch of Grand Master Dong's Karate school. Today, I want to extend that review to the Headquarters (HQ) branch in Short Pump. I'm proud to say my daughter and I are still students under Grand Master Dong. After six years of fun and hard work, I'm more convinced than ever that we made the right decision to study martial arts at Dong's karate. Over that time, I've had had the pleasure of training and testing at HQ many times. I could write about so many positive aspects of this school but I'll focus on just a couple of points here. It's very likely the first person you'll meet when you walk into HQ is Grand Master Dong himself. One of the many, many things that make this school so superior is the active involvement of its founder. After 45 years of teaching Martial Arts in the US (one of the oldest schools), Grand Master still teaches class and shares a wealth of experience with his students each week. The same quality of instruction and support from the senior belts that I wrote about for the Midlothian branch is just as evident at HQ. Grand Master Dong is never content to let the curriculum stagnate. He reviews the forms and methods of teaching on a regular basis and makes adjustments where needed to ensure students are "getting it". But Dong's Karate School is so much more than exceptional Martial Arts instruction. A big reason why I've chosen to stay at Dong's Karate with my family is Grand Master Dong's commitment to instilling values in his students. There is a strong focus on leadership, respect, humility and helping others that I simply don't believe can be found at other schools. Grand Master translates these values into action each year by hosting a karate tournament that helps support the Children's Hospital of Richmond. So whether you're an experienced Martial Artist looking for a challenge or just thinking of getting into it, you really owe it to yourself to check out Dong's Karate - you won't be disappointed. read more

My son has been a student at Dong's since age 4. He is getting ready to test for his 2nd degree black belt at 11 years old. Not only has martial arts kept him in great shape, he's learned valuable life lessons such a perseverance, discipline, meditation, and commitment. He's also learned self-defense and control. We are so thankful for the wonderful instructors at Dong's! read more

A great place to study martial arts. The instructors are very knowledgeable and Grand Master Dong teaches many of the classes himself. They focus not only on the techniques of martial arts, but also the philosophy behind them. This school also emphasizes values, such as honesty and diligence and encourages students to set goals not only for their martial arts training, but also for their personal and professional lives. They welcome newcomers and offer free trials but there is no pressure to join. read more