Grand Master J. Seo of Seos National Karate

Grand Master J. Seo

To see words like dedication, perseverance, courage and integrity personified, one only needs to step into Seo's National Karate's Arvada location and see Grand Master Joseph H. Seo at work. He is the owner of Seo's National Karate as well as an instructor. His martial arts training are in the areas of Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Hap Ki Do. He is currently a 6th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a 6th Degree Black Belt Grand Master Instructor in Tang Soo Do. His credentials are quite impressive, yet there is much more to the story of a man and his vision for martial arts in Colorado.

Born in Seoul Korea, Grand Master Seo came to this country in 1973 with his parents, brother and sister. Residing in New York City, Grand Master Seo, along with his brother, became a student of the highly respected martial artist and school owner Tiger Kim at the age of 8. Training along side the famed “tiger twins”, Seo was dedicated to martial arts from the beginning. “Martial arts training began for me at a very young age, but the lessons I learned from my mother and father were certainly the foundation. I was taught to never give up, no matter the obstacle. I owe those traits first to my parents and secondly to Grand Master Tiger Kim”.

After attaining his first degree black belt at the age of 12, Joseph Seo began working in Newburgh County, NY under Master Southerton 1986. There he learned even more valuable lessons, particularly in the area of the martial arts business. As well, over the years, Grand Master Seo's personal career as a martial artist is extensive. He has performed in numerous tournaments in both sparring and forms categories. In 1990, 1991 and 1992, he was a member of the USA Moo Duk Kwan team. He taught the NY Dutchess County Police Department and was the assistant instructor for West Point Military Academy. In 1998, he retired from competition and became a full time instructor and business owner. “While competition was very rewarding, teaching has so many benefits, the smiles on the children's faces, working hand in hand with parents and the connection to the community have all been extremely gratifying.”

Currently Grand Master Seo has promoted over 500 black belts who are recognized all over the country and operates four Seo's National Karate locations here in Colorado and four additional satellite schools on both the East and West Coasts. “I am striving to make martial arts a positive force in the lives of children and adults here in Colorado. With the assistance of my immediate family and the extended family of Seo's National Karate I feel that this goal is very much within reach. I look forward each day to the commitment I have made here in Colorado and that is to have the best schools, with the best instructors and to make Seo's National Karate the best place to train in the art of Martial Art.”