Co-owned by Barry Shackelford and Francis Pineda since 2005, the Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do studio continues the mission of Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, teaching important life skills through the martial arts.
Barry Shackelford and Francis Pineda, co-owners of Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, share a lifelong passion for Tae Kwon Do. Introduced to the popular martial art at a young age, both have been teaching Tae Kwon Do for over 40 years.
Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do is based on the teachings of Jhoon Rhee, “The Father of American Tae Kwon Do,” who emigrated from Korea to the United States in 1957, ultimately becoming a martial arts icon. Along with building physical strength and coordination, students learn essential life skills in self-discipline, leadership and respect. The Arlington studio trains over 600 students of all ages—from four-year-old “Knee-High Ninjas” to adults in their 70s—and also offers cardio kick-boxing classes for aerobic fitness. An “Adaptive Martial Arts” program, designed for special-needs children by 5th-degree Black Belt Avi Rome, now numbers close to 60 students.
Today, after 20 years in business, Shackelford and Pineda are proud to have their 24-year-old sons following in their footsteps. “Braden and Alex do an amazing job teaching full-time in our studio,” says Shackelford. Braden applies his degree in Health and Exercise Science along with extensive competition experience in his classes. Alex, completing a degree in communications, uses a dynamic, engaging approach that allows him to connect and motivate his students with special skill.
Shackelford foresees continued success for the studio. “Our sons share our passion and in time, will carry on our legacy,” he says, “though we have no plans to retire anytime soon!”