Grand Master Perez

In 1992, Herb Perez achieved his dream. He entered the Olympic arena in Barcelona and won the United States’ only Gold Medal in the Olympic Sport of Taekwondo.

Through years of sacrifice and training which culminated in the realization of his Olympic dream, Perez learned the value of patience, determination and perseverance. “I was fortunate to wander into a martial arts school at a young age and learn valuable life-skills that taught me how to succeed in academics, sport, and life. I felt a need to share the lessons I had learned throughout my life with others,” states Perez.

Read more

Ms. Frances

Ms.Frances is a San Francisco native and now resides in Daly City . Her martial arts training include western boxing, Kickboxing, Kenpo Karate, and of course Taekwondo. Ms.Frances is an alumnus of CCSF and SFSU and a passionate advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association. When she’s not training or teaching she devotes her time to her 2 young daughters and is excited to pass down the traditions and values of Taekwondo. Ms.Frances is passionate about teaching children the importance of life skills, and the importance of commitment, and making the right decisions.

Mr. Kumar

Certified Level 1 USA Taekwondo Coach in Olympic Training methods.

Mr. Lane

Fortune has smilied on me. Everyday, I have the opportunity to teach something that I am passionate about. Before my son and I became students at Gold Medal, I studied Shotokan Karate for many years. My educational backround is in art and business. When I am not at Gold Medal, I enjoy photography, cycling, travel and reading.

Dr. Sung

Martial Arts History: Brown Belt in Shotokan Karate (Funakoshi Shotokan Shotokan Association) - trained under Sensei Joeseph Piamonte at Arodan's Karate School in San Francisco and was an assistant instructor there.
Certified Level 1 USA Taekwondo Coach in Olympic Training methods.
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do - trained under Master Herb Perez
Education:
High School - Lowell High School, San Francisco - Graduated 1989
Undergraduate School - San Francisco State University, San Francisco - B.S. Biology and Physiology 1995
Graduate School - Palmer College of Chiropractic West, San Jose
Doctor of Chiropractic 1998

Ms. King

Ms. King started her martial arts training in 1976. and has been teaching Martial Arts for over 20 years. Ms. King currently teaches physical science at Bowditch Middle School. She teaches all Total Defense classes. Her accomplishments include:

• Full Instructor in Jeet Kune Do/Filipino Martial Arts
• 4th Dan Chinese Kenpo
• 4th Dan Tae Kwon Do
• 1st Dan Kickboxing
• Brazilian Jujitsu 2006-present
• No Lie Blade Training
• Pressure Point Tactics
  

Dr. Park

Dr Park began began learning Taekwondo in high school, practicing off and on during graduate school until he found a home at Gold Medal. Originally from, Chicago he moved to California in 2004. After arriving in California, he started his orthopedic practice at San Mateo Orthopedics with a focus on sports medicine. Dr. Park's hobbies include fly fishing and backpacking/hiking.

Dr. Sipes

Dr. Sipes began practicing Taekwondo in 1988 while living in Phoenix, Az. He had to stop after moving to California for graduate and Medical School. Dr. Sipes returned to complete something that had been a very important goal for many years. In addition to practicing Taekwondo, his 3 children take classes, and his wife is working towards her blackbelt. Dr. Sipes works at Kaiser Permanente as a Pediatrician and his hobbies include cycling, snowboarding, painting and writing stories.

Mr. Oh

Mr. Oh began practicing taekwondo while attending college at UCLA. After graduation, moving to northern California for law school and the first several years of his career as an attorney, he was never able to find the “right” school. Soon after his wife and children began taking taekwondo and kido classes at Gold Medal, he was convinced to begin training again. Mr. Oh is currently an attorney at Volterra Semiconductor Corporation in the east bay. In his free time, aside from trying to spend more time with his family, he enjoys running, biking and swimming.

Mr. Ethan

Taekwondo for Ethan is a family affair. His entire family (younger brother and sister as well as both parents) are members of Gold Medal. He began his training in 2005 at the age of six. Along with his ongoing Taekwondo training with Master Herb Perez, Ethan’s Gold Medal curriculum also includes Judo with Master Mike Swain, high performance training with Mr. Kumar, and “Total Self Defense” with Ms. Brenda King. His favorite subjects in school are English composition and math. He also enjoys baseball, basketball, and football.