About Us

Grand Master Jan Bartels

Master Jan has a long connection with TaeKwonDo that stems back to 1966 when he started training in Itf   (International TaeKwonDo Federation). At that stage it was the only TaekwonDo academy in Holland. Master Jan was very lucky to train as it was classed as a luxuary for an instructor to teach you back in the 60s. It was not the done thing to ask to be trained you would have to be picked. Training conditions were not state of art to say the least as there was no leg or arm protection and usally the training halls were damp and had no heating. Master Jan continued to gain experience and knowledge in the Asian martial art which led to him becoming an instructor and opening three schools in the Netherlands.

In the late sixties Master Jan moved to Belgium where he established TaeKwonDo clubs across the country. During this time Master Jan began making a name for himself, he became president of the Grading Commission and Training selection in Budosport association whilst also training the Belgium Police Force self defence. Master Jan hit the international stage in 1975 when he made his first visit to the home of TaeKwonDo were he represented a Belgium team that competed in the second World Championships held in Seoul in South Korea. Master Jan went on to study to become an international referee and was the first non-Korean that went on to referee at future World Championships.

In 1979 he moved to Ireland where he was the highest WTF (World TaeKwonDo Federation) black belt in the country while a year late he achieved 5th dan. Master Jan was at the fore front into developing TaeKwonDo in Ireland and was rewarded for all his hard work Grandmaster and President of the Chang Moo Kwan ( the largest single TaeKwonDo school in the world) Soon Bae Kim selected Master Jan to be president of the Chang Moo Kwan Ireland.

In 2002 Master Jan was Rewarded his 7th dan which was a testimony to his continuous dedication to the sport. Master Jan believes in teaching through respect and believes if a student has these qualities of self discipline, determination and will power then they will succeed in TaekwonDo.

After all Master Jan's years dedicating his life to the sport he continues to be the driving force behind all his clubs in the midlands along with teaching in national and secondary schools. 

In Master Jan own words, "my reward is passing on the gift of Taekwondo to others and will continue to do that for as long as i am breathing"

In 2010 Master Jan return to Korea where he was rewarded with his 8th dan making him a Grand Master.