Taekwondo at MCC
Gil Ortega
“Taekwondo is not just a sport or an art, it’s a part of life,” said Johnny Nguyen, 4th degree black belt and current instructor of taekwondo at MCC. Ranking at 25th in the world, the college could not ask for a better instructor. As a competitive fighter, Nguyen has traveled all over the world. His most recent trip was to Spain.
He has also frequently visited the birthplace of taekwondo, which was created around 50 BC, Korea.
“It was there where I trained with in my opinion, the best of the best,” said Nguyen.
Nguyen stated his personal goal is to be part of the Olympic Games.
“My goal is to one day represent the United States at the upcoming Olympic games as far as my competition career,” he said.
Nguyen stated he also plans to open his own taekwondo school so that he may pass on his knowledge and experience.
Taekwondo has more than just a physical side.
Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, inner-strength, and indomitable spirit serve as the five tenets of taekwondo that Nguyen would teach at his school.
Nguyen explained that he believes that these are essential to succeeding in any situation.
Nguyen recently graduated from ASU, where he majored in Kinesthesiology, which is the medical and therapeutic study of the movement of muscles and joints.
“For me, taekwondo is life, and life comes within it,” said Nguyen.
