Debating with your friends who’s the best Taekwondo coach?
Juan Moreno, Jean Lopez or Park Jae-Hyun?
Here is our list of the best Taekwondo coaches of all time.
Do you agree with our picks?
Best Taekwondo Coaches:
- Juan Moreno
- Jean Lopez
- Park Jae-Hyun
- Hwang Kee
- Choi Hong Hi
- Lee Dai-Soon
- Gulsah Kuscu
- Herb Perez
- Alireza Nasr Azadani
- Terrence Jennings
- Kim Soo
Table of Contents
#1 Juan Moreno
- 🏆 Achievements: Two-time Olympic silver medalist, multiple international championship wins as a coach
- 📅 Years Active: Coaching since late 1990s
- 👕 Teams Coached: USA National Team, Peak Performance Taekwondo
- 🌐 Nationality: American
Juan Moreno is a highly esteemed figure in the Taekwondo community, having achieved significant success both as an athlete and as a coach. He has trained numerous national champions and Olympians, contributing greatly to the development of Taekwondo in the United States.
His technical expertise, coupled with a deep understanding of the sport’s strategic nuances, has enabled his athletes to thrive on the international stage. Moreno’s commitment to coaching extends beyond the competitive arena, as he is dedicated to teaching life skills through Taekwondo.
Moreno’s impact on the sport is not limited to his coaching – his legacy as a two-time Olympic silver medalist continues to inspire athletes he coaches, making him a respected mentor and role model.
#2 Jean Lopez
- 🏆 Achievements: Olympic and World Championship coach, guiding athletes to multiple medals
- 📅 Years Active: 1990s–Present
- 👕 Teams Coached: USA National Team
- 🌐 Nationality: American
Jean Lopez has made a name for himself as one of the most successful coaches in Taekwondo, particularly recognized for his role in coaching the USA National Team to numerous Olympic and World Championship medals.
As an adept tactician and strategist, Lopez has guided his athletes to excel at the highest levels of competition, cementing his reputation as an elite coach within the sport.
His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude, technical precision, and innovative training methods, contributing to the success of his athletes on the global stage.
Jean Lopez’s contribution to Taekwondo extends beyond the medals won by his athletes, as he has played a significant role in advancing the sport within the United States and fostering a legacy of excellence.
#3 Park Jae-Hyun
- 🌐 Nationality: Korean
Park Jae-Hyun is recognized for his contributions to Taekwondo coaching, though specific details regarding his achievements, years active, teams coached, and nationality are not provided here.
His coaching style and methods have likely influenced numerous students and fellow coaches, given his inclusion among the top Taekwondo coaches.
However, without further information, we are unable to delve into his coaching career or highlight his impact on the sport of Taekwondo.
#4 Hwang Kee
- 🏆 Achievements: Founder of Moo Duk Kwan, a leading Taekwondo and Hapkido school
- 📅 Years Active: 1940s–2002
- 🌐 Nationality: Korean
Hwang Kee is revered as a grandmaster and the founder of Moo Duk Kwan, one of the major schools for Taekwondo and Hapkido. His teachings and philosophy have had a profound influence on martial arts globally.
Established in South Korea, his school has spread internationally, with students and instructors continuing his legacy through their dedication to the martial arts and the principles taught by Hwang Kee.
His holistic approach to coaching, which emphasizes both physical prowess and personal character development, has contributed to the rich traditions and respect associated with Taekwondo and Hapkido today.
While Hwang Kee may not have coached competitive teams in the traditional sense, his role in the development of Taekwondo and its practices cannot be overstated, resulting in an enduring impact on the sport and martial arts as a whole.
#5 Choi Hong Hi
- 🏆 Achievements: Founder of Taekwon-Do, authored the Encyclopaedia of Taekwon-Do
- 📅 Years Active: 1950s – 2002
- 👕 Teams Coached: Korean military, International Taekwon-Do Federation
- 🌐 Nationality: Korean
Choi Hong Hi is known as the “Father of Taekwon-Do” and is credited with the creation and formalization of Taekwon-Do as a martial art distinct from other Korean martial arts forms.
As a coach and instructor, Choi Hong Hi initially developed Taekwon-Do while serving in the Korean military, aiming to establish a national martial art that could also promote fitness and self-defense among soldiers.
After founding the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), he continued to promote the art form globally, authoring fundamental works such as the Encyclopaedia of Taekwon-Do and instituting a standardized system of instruction and progression.
Choi’s influence is not just confined to technique but also philosophical aspects, incorporating values like courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit into the teachings of Taekwon-Do, which continue to be observed by practitioners around the world.
#6 Lee Dai-Soon
- 🌐 Nationality: Korean
Lee Dai-Soon is listed among the top Taekwondo coaches, suggesting a notable contribution to the sport.
Without specific achievements, years active, teams coached, or nationality data, it’s challenging to encapsulate his impact on Taekwondo or provide a detailed account of his coaching career.
His inclusion on the list indicates respect and recognition from the Taekwondo community, signifying he has made a positive and lasting impact on athletes and the martial art as a whole.
#7 Gulsah Kuscu
- 🌐 Nationality: Turkish
Gulsah Kuscu appears as a prominent figure within the Taekwondo coaching realm, yet specific details regarding her credentials and experience are not detailed here.
Her presence on this list implies she has earned respect for her coaching acumen and contributions to the sport.
Unfortunately, in the absence of concrete information, we are unable to provide insights into her career and the esteem she has garnered in the world of Taekwondo.
#8 Herb Perez
- 🏆 Achievements: Olympic gold medalist, renowned coach and advocate for sports development
- 📅 Years Active: Coaching since the late 1990s
- 👕 Teams Coached: Various national and collegiate teams
- 🌐 Nationality: American
Herb Perez brings the unique perspective of an Olympic gold medalist to his role as a Taekwondo coach, offering a wealth of experience and expertise that has impacted countless athletes.
Throughout his coaching career, Perez has been engaged in advancing competitive Taekwondo teams at the national and collegiate levels, ensuring his athletes receive top-tier training and guidance.
Beyond his coaching duties, Perez is also a committed advocate for sports development and education, which has further solidified his standing as a respected figure in the Taekwondo world.
Through his comprehensive approach to coaching, which encompasses athletic, personal, and educational growth, Perez has made a lasting contribution to the sport and to the lives of those he has coached.
#9 Alireza Nasr Azadani
- 🌐 Nationality: Iranian
Alireza Nasr Azadani is recognized as one of the best Taekwondo coaches, which points to a significant role in nurturing taekwondo talent and possibly achieving noteworthy successes.
The lack of specific details about his accomplishments, tenure, teams, and nationality precludes a full profile, but his inclusion suggests a strong reputation within the Taekwondo community.
The regard with which Nasr Azadani is held is likely the result of a career positively influencing the sport and developing its athletes, despite the absence of explicit information to outline his biography.
#10 Terrence Jennings
- 🏆 Achievements: Olympic bronze medalist, contributing to the growth and success of athletes in national and international competitions
- 📅 Years Active: Coaching since mid-2010s
- 🌐 Nationality: American
Terrence Jennings, an Olympic bronze medalist, brings a wealth of competitive experience to his role as a Taekwondo coach.
While his coaching career information is limited, it is clear that his own achievements as an athlete have driven him to give back to the sport by helping other athletes achieve their potential on the national and international stages.
Jennings serves as an example of how successful athletes can transition into influential coaching roles, utilizing their insights and experiences to educate and inspire the next generation of Taekwondo competitors.
His evolving career as a coach promises to build upon his legacy as both a competitor and a mentor, contributing to the diversity and strength of the Taekwondo community in the United States and beyond.
#11 Kim Soo
- 🏆 Achievements: Pioneer in popularizing Taekwondo in the United States, founder of the Kim Soo Karate School
- 📅 Years Active: 1960s–Present
- 👕 Teams Coached: His karate school and various seminars
- 🌐 Nationality: Korean-born American
Grandmaster Kim Soo is a pivotal figure in the spread of Taekwondo in the United States and is the founder of the Kim Soo Karate School, which is instrumental in teaching and promoting the martial art.
His decades of dedication to nurturing martial artists of all ages and skill levels have made him a beloved teacher and a distinguished member of the Taekwondo community.
Through his school and his participation in seminars, Kim Soo has helped to popularize Taekwondo, emphasizing its benefits for physical health, mental discipline, and personal growth.
Grandmaster Kim Soo’s ongoing commitment to teaching and his impact on martial arts demonstrate a legacy that blends traditional practices with the dynamic evolution of Taekwondo as a global discipline.
Understanding the significance of competition, this article on the most important taekwondo tournaments is a must-read for enthusiasts and athletes alike.
FAQ
Who is the greatest Taekwondo coach of all time?
It’s subjective; however, Coach Kim Un-yong is often cited as the greatest, for his pivotal role in globalizing Taekwondo and inclusion in the Olympics.
Who was the most successful Taekwondo coach?
Coach Choi Young-ryul is considered one of the most successful, leading South Korea to multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medals.
