by Yolanda Horace, 5th Gup, Houston, Texas

There was a recent Tae Kwon Do competition held in Houston that caused my associates, neighbors, and coworkers to call and ask me, “How come your school does not compete in competitions? What type of school does not show their skills?”

I have been asked this question many times, but this time I went into detail about why this is not the way of Chayon-Ryu. This is exactly what I told them:

Chayon-Ryu is not a system for competition training or to learn how to make people fear you. It is for the individual who wants to have good health, confidence, and to experience a sense of inner peace within.

Grandmaster advises his students that trophies do not make a martial artist successful and that our training should not be about showing off, but educating others to what we are learning.

Although our Chayon-Ryu schools do not participate in competions, we as martial artist challenge ourselves through our training.

Our system of Chayon-Ryu is known throughout the world. People in other countries have been introduce to Grandmaster Kim Soo and the system of Chayon-Ryu.

Our training is very intense and serious. The students of Chayon-Ryu are aware that we are expected to act as martial artists and show our spirit. In our system, we have many ways of learning and absorbing our lessons:

1.      Perfecting our skills through repetition

2.      Understanding the basic principles before being introduced to new forms

3.      The honesty of the masters who will advise if more practice is needed

4.      Grandmaster Kim Soo, who through his lectures tells us of our Chayon-Ryu heritage and why it is so important to carry on the legacy.


Chayon-Ryu is not for material gain but for internal perfection. My training has given me power of the mind, courage to face disappointments, and a sense of accomplishment that no plastic trophy or screaming crowds could ever provide. It is not necessary to prove my skills by beating on other martial artists, or walking around with a chip on my shoulder to show what I have been learning for the past 3 years.

After this explanation, several friends had to admit my training has changed me into a different person: from a timid, insecure person that they knew 20 years ago to a positive calm person.  I have invited several people to come by the school and see exactly what Chayon-Ryu is preparing the student for. Not something short-lived and superficial, but for something that will last a lifetime; sincerity, responsibility, and the strength to endeavor.

This is the best trophy anyone training in the system of Chayon-Ryu will and can receive.