The Masters

7th Dan

John Kacvinsky

Master Kacvinsky has been training in Taekwon-Do for over 30 years and currently holds a rank of seventh degree.  He has competed at a state, regional and national level in both United States Taekwon-Do Union (USTU) Olympic-style sparring and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) point fighting.

Conrad Pfeifer

Master Pfeifer began his martial arts training as a young teenager and achieved a brown belt status. He also studied Chinese Gung Fu until college. After college, he studied Aikido for two years; then, in 1985, he re-entered the International Taekwon-Do Federation as a white belt. He has been practicing Taekwon-Do continuously since then. Master Pfeifer achieved his 7th Dan in 2022.

Master Pfeifer is an expert in self-defense tactics.

Richard Yoest

After receiving his first degree black belt from I. K. Kim Taekwon-Do in Cincinnati, Ohio in March, 1988, Master Yoest moved to the area and began working with Master Zang in 1998. He earned his Master’s status in April, 2002 and received his re-certification with Zang TKD in October, 2009.  Master Yoest achieved his 7th Dan in 2022.

Master Yoest won the division title at the U.S. Open at Charleston University in February, 2002.

5th Dan

Dr. Richard Kim

Master Kim has been training in martial arts for many years and received his first degree Black Belt in Mu Duk Kwon, WTF Style Taekwon-Do, in 1987.  He began training with Master Zang in 1999, and he re-certified his first degree Black Belt in 2000.  Master Kim received his Master’s status in 2009; he recently earned his fifth degree Black Belt.

Mike Shurina

Master Shurina began his martial arts career in 1984 and currently holds the rank of 5th Dan.  He is a former state, regional and international competitor.  He trained and competed in both sport Karate (NASKA, NBL) and Olympic-Style Taekwon-Do (USTU, AAU) competitions; he is a two-time USTU Junior Olympic Gold Medalist (1988 & 1989) and was the International NBL World Karate Champion, 1992.

In addition, he was featured on the cover of SPORT KARATE magazine (March / May 1993) and is a former member and captain of the “Metro All Star International Karate Team.”

Master Shurina has trained numerous police and law enforcement officers in defensive tactics and use of force.

Matt Marshall

Amelia Reese

4th Dan

* Junior Master