Black Belt Magazine We are proud to present the finest martial arts training programs from around the world. This featured listing keeps in mind excellence in the training, facilities and instructors' continued growth and achievement in martial arts.
Delivering Perfection! Jung Chon Taekwondo – Leesburg, VA
World Champion Rating #1 In the world, John Chon
Located just 49 minutes from the nation's capital in Leesburg, Virginia, John Chung Taekwondo is a prestigious school taught by Black Belt Hall of Famer and former #1 champion, John Chung. Since the early 1980s, John has been dedicated to perfecting the practice and teaching of Taekwondo.
John Chong began his martial arts journey in 1984 when he and his brother Howard opened their first school in Long Island, New York.
In 1995, he expanded his reach and founded the Northern Virginia School, where he still lives and teaches today.
Rooted in the traditions passed down from his uncle, Jhoon Rhee, the father of American Taekwondo, he teaches the original Jhoon Rhee ITF system of Taekwondo while also incorporating elements of the WTF system, creating a comprehensive approach that encompasses the best of both worlds of Korean martial arts.
The late John Lee, Father of American Taekwondo
Jeff Smith, who coached Chong at regional, national and world championships, praised him, saying, “Jon had the cleanest technique on the US circuit during his competitive years, and I still rate him as one of the greatest competitors of all time.”
Mr Chung maintains his pursuit of perfection in the way he teaches his students, ensuring they are held to the same high standards that have characterized his own illustrious career.
USA Team Coach Jeff Smith
Today, Jeon Chon Taekwondo operates five days a week and offers a rigorous program with an emphasis on competition, and students are encouraged to compete on the open circuit at least four times a year to hone their skills and gain valuable experience.
The staff is a dedicated team that includes Chong's wife, Yvette Vargas, a 7th degree black belt with over 37 years of training experience. They blend traditional Taekwondo with a variety of weapons training including stick, tonfa, sai, kama, nunchaku and escrima. This open-minded approach to martial arts allows students to benefit from a diverse and enriching training experience.
With 25 lectures per week, John was ahead of his time in adopting virtual classes. Even before the pandemic, he had been offering online classes for nearly a decade. Today, students from Florida, New Jersey, and even Australia participate in his virtual classes and benefit from his innovative approach.
Jung Chung's teaching philosophy emphasizes hard work, tradition, and authentic training. “I believe there is a demand for hard work, traditional, and authentic training,” Chung says. “Today, many people want the quick fix of getting their black belt quickly and getting instant gratification. That's fine. But on average, my students take five to six years to earn their black belt, which is longer than most. I believe this journey instills respect and reverence for the process and makes them see their belt as a symbol of hard work, not just a trophy. I still believe in tradition and the life skills that martial arts instill, such as humility, respect, and discipline. That's why our sign says TKD (Teaching Korean Discipline).”
Jeon Chon Taekwondo continues to be an outstanding dojo that blends tradition with modernity to develop a comprehensive martial arts style that prepares students for both competition and life.
