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Hwang's Martial Arts proudly serving West Hartford & Stratford
Hwang’s Martial Arts has Classes in West Hartford & Stratford, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adults Martial Arts Lessons.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
GET TO KNOW OUR WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTORS
Grand Master Hoo Soo Hwang
Grand Master Hwang, HoSoo is the founder of our school. Born in Korea, he came from a family already well versed in martial arts — his father and one brother were Judo Masters, and his oldest brother was a Master in Aikido. He studied Tang Soo Do — the older art upon which Tae Kwon Do was based — under Grand Master Hwang, Kee and Hapkido under Grand Master Choi, Yong Sul, earning his Master rank in both. He also graduated the Korean Yudo College with a Master rank in Judo, earned under Dr. Lee. He went on to start the US Hapkido Association here in the United States, as well as opening his own schools to train others in the arts of Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Hapkido. Additionally, he was one of the founding Masters to develop and certify a martial art called Dae Han Moo Do, which takes its influences from the various other arts in which he holds his Master rank.
Master George Hwang
Master Hwang grew up training in Martial Arts because of his father, training for most of his life and even reaching Olympic Team trials. As the years progressed, he retired from competing and studied law at Univeristy of Conneticut. He practiced law for many years and before retiring to follow his passion of teaching martial arts. He became more involved in the teaching and business aspects of Taekwondo and opened multiple locations across the state. He currently owns and takes care of our West Hartford and Stratford locations. Outside of Taekwondo, he spends time with his family, buys and flips cars, and participates in controlled drag racing!
Master Savario
(West Hartford)
Master Savario has been training here at Hwang’s since 2006, and he began helping classes in 2010 and working for us in 2015. He enjoys Taekwondo because he is a part of two amazing teams; the demo of a team and instructors. In addition, he is not only able to work side by side with his team but also work on himself as an individual mentally and physically. Aside from martial arts, he likes playing piano and cooking. His favorite animal is a cat.
Master Eric (Stratford/West Hartford)
Master. Eric started his Taekwondo journey in 2004 at Master Lee’s in Norwalk. He started teaching in 2013, and in 2016 he joined the Hwang’s family. Coming to Hwang’s helped him to grow even more in his martial arts skills, and helped him to develop the discipline to one day run a Taekwondo school himself — which happened in 2019 when he became the school manager here. Being able to share his passion for martial arts with his students and helping them to reach their full potential and be proud of themselves are some of his favorite things about being a teacher. Other than Taekwondo, he enjoys going to the gym, running daily, reading, and is involved in stocks and real estate. His favorite animal is an orca whale and he wants everyone to know it.
Mr. Terry (Stratford)
Mr. Terry first began practicing martial arts here at Hwang’s in 2011, and he officially began teaching in 2015. His favorite part about Taekwondo is sparring, and over the last several years he has competed in multiple official tournaments. As an instructor he has not only been able to bring his own skills to the next level, but is also constantly helping to improve the techniques and talents of all of our students. He is also passionate about building up our Leadership Team volunteers to be the next generation of instructors. Outside the dojang, he likes going to the gym, soccer, video games, and basketball. His favorite animal is definitely pandas.
Mr. Landon
(West Hartford)
Mr. Landon began his Taekwondo journey in 2017, and in 2021 he became an instructor with us. One of his favorite things about martial arts is the positive community here at Hwang’s, and he loves being able to teach something that he is passionate about. In addition to Taekwondo he enjoys gaming and going on trips with his friends. His favorite animal is an owl.
Mr. Anthony (Stratford)
Mr. Anthony started attending Hwang’s in 2011, and he began volunteering with us in 2016; he has since become one of our best instructors. His favorite part of Taekwondo is being able to train with his friends. Martial arts has also helped him to feel more confident, and has helped him to be both physically and mentally stronger in all areas of his life. As an instructor, he enjoys being able to help his students, and be a part of their daily lives and build relationships with them. His favorite animal is a koala.
Ms. Julie (Stratford)
Miss Julie started as a student at Hwang’s in 2013. Martial arts had always been an interest of hers, but it wasn’t until she came to Hwang’s that things lined up to allow her to train. In 2014 she began teaching with us, and she has never looked back. For her, the challenge of growing her personal strength and endurance, as well as the sense of community, is what initially drew her to martial arts — and that is what she hopes to pass on to each of her students. Outside of Hwang’s, she enjoys running, art, reading and writing, film, music, and traveling. She has never met a dog she didn’t attempt to pet.
Mr. Aakarsh (Stratford)
Mr. Aakarsh first started training here at Hwang’s in 2009, and he grew up volunteering in classes as a member of our Leadership Team before becoming an instructor in 2018. His energy in class makes him an excellent instructor, and his passion for teaching is a benefit to any student in his class as he encourages them to learn new things and improve their technique! For his own personal Taekwondo practice, he trains regularly in sparring and is planning to compete in tournaments. His favorite animal — chosen after much deliberation and soul-searching — is a giraffe.
Ms. Elliott
(West Hartford)
Miss Elliott first began her Taekwondo journey in 2015. She was a very good student, as well as being involved in Leadership and Demo Team. But while she has been training for many years, it was only in the spring os 2023 that she began teaching with us and since she started has been a very strong addition to our team. Taekwondo is important to her because it is something she enjoys, it is a great way to exercise, and she likes being able to learn and master new techniques. It has also helped her to further develop the leadership qualities we saw in her when she first started working with us. Outside of martial arts she enjoys reading, going to concerts, and cooking. Her favorite animal is a bunny!
Master Ray
(West Hartford)
Master Ray has been a member of the Hwang’s family for many years, both as a student and an instructor. As a student, he is one of the few to have trained consistently at every one of our locations, regularly visiting the other schools even though West Hartford is his home. As an instructor, he teaches in our teen/adult program and is known not only for his teaching, but for the community that he creates in his classes. He is an excellent example of why we are the Hwang’s family. Outside of Taekwondo, he works in education, holds a keen interest in politics, and has excellent taste in cars.
Mr. Jimmy (Stratford)
Mr. Jimmy has been training with us at Hwang’s since 2018, and in 2021 he began helping out in class first as a part of our leadership team but then as an instructor. His favorite parts of Taekwondo are being able to make new friends, and sparring — he has even competed in tournaments with our school. Outside of Taekwondo, he likes anime and video games, especially Ark and Apex. His favorite animal is a Roadrunner bird.
Mr. Noam
(West Hartford)
Mr. Noam began his Taekwondo journey in 2005, and started teaching in 2015. He enjoys Taekwondo not just as a hobby, but also because it provided him with the confidence, focus, and respect that he lacked as a child. Off the mat he enjoys playing guitar, reading, and taking long walks with his dog. His favorite animal, due to a childhood fascination with their power, is a silverback gorilla.
Master Turne
(West Hartford)
Master Turne first started Taekwondo in 2011, and in 2013 he started teaching with us. He enjoys taekwondo for its camaraderie and support. He also loves that there is always something new to learn and lots of potential to grow. Outside of Taekwondo he loves his other job as an actuary and to play dungeons and dragons. His favorite animal is a birds.
Mr. Edras (Stratford)
Mr. Edras has been training here at Hwang’s since 2017, and he began working for us early in 2021. He enjoys teaching kids how to do the right techniques and seeing them grow up through the years and achieve their black belts. He has also competed in interschool tournaments, as well as those outside of Hwang’s. Aside from martial arts, he likes video games, anime, drawing, and spending time with his family. His favorite animals are pandas, which Mr. Terry heartily approves of!
Mr. Nolan
(West Hartford)
Mr. Nolan first came to Taekwondo in 2009, and began teaching at the beginning of 2022. He enjoys martial arts both for the physical work required, but also the beauty of martial arts. Outside of Taekwondo he enjoys music, sports, and tv. His favorite animal is a cheetah.
Mr. Griffin
(West Hartford)
Mr. Jimmy has been training with us at Hwang’s since 2018, and in 2021 he began helping out in class first as a part of our leadership team but then as an instructor. His favorite parts of Taekwondo are being able to make new friends, and sparring — he has even competed in tournaments with our school. Outside of Taekwondo, he likes anime and video games, especially Ark and Apex. His favorite animal is a Roadrunner bird.