Hwa Rang Taekwon-Do Blackbelt Academy

How a Child Grows Through Our Programme

At Hwa Rang, every student's journey is personally planned by Master Carlos Bazan, a 7th Dan Black Belt and 3-times ITF World Champion, not by a generic curriculum. He identifies each child's strengths, spots where they need more support, and makes sure no child is ever pushed forward before they are ready, or held back once they have earned the right to progress.

Classes engage students physically and mentally through patterns and techniques taught in Korean. Students build confidence, self-discipline and respect with every session, and they know each belt was genuinely earned, not handed out.

Belt progression at Hwa Rang is never automatic. When a student has prepared and practised to the standard required, they are invited to their next grading exam. That moment, earning a new belt in front of their family and the whole club, is one every student remembers.

Parents consistently tell us the change they notice most is not physical. It is the way their child carries themselves, at home, at school and on the mats.

The Blackbelt Pathway: From White to Black Belt

Students progress through each grade by demonstrating technical skill, knowledge of patterns, and the right attitude. There are no shortcuts and no minimum time guarantees. Each student earns their next belt when they are truly ready.

9th Gup — White/yellow stripe
8th Gup — Yellow belt
7th Gup — Yellow/green stripe
6th Gup — Green belt
5th Gup — Green/blue stripe
4th Gup — Blue belt
3rd Gup — Blue belt/red stripe
2nd Gup — Red belt
1st Gup — Red belt/black stripe
1st Dan — Black Belt

A Black belt is not the end of the Taekwon-Do journey at Hwa Rang. After 1st Dan, students can continue progressing through a further 9 Black Belt levels, a lifelong commitment that takes decades to reach the ultimate 9th Dan, the title of Saseong-Nim or Grandmaster of ITF Taekwondo.

At Hwa Rang, our instructors actively continue this lifelong progression. Head of Coaching Master Carlos Bazan holds 7th Dan and is preparing for his 8th Dan exam. Senior Instructor Sabum Sergios holds 3rd Dan, and Sabum Jana a 2nd Dan. All three train alongside students, regularly demonstrating new skills and techniques drawn from decades on the mats. Seeing the journey in action inspires students to believe it is achievable, and to practise, persevere and master each skill for themselves.

Life Beyond Black Belt

Classes start from AED 360 per month with discounts for additional weekly sessions and options of family discounts available for siblings/parents training together.

ITF Belt Order

The 5 Tenets of ITF Taekwon-Do

Everything we teach at Hwa Rang is built on the five tenets of ITF Taekwondo, established by the founder of the art, General Choi Hong Hi and continued under the leadership of Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa.

These are not just rules for the mat, they are values for life:

Courtesy (예의) Showing respect for instructors, fellow students, and everyone around you

Integrity (염치) Being honest with yourself and others, and doing what is right even when it is difficult

Perseverance (인내) Continuing to push forward when training is hard and progress feels slow

Self-Control (극기) Managing your emotions, your reactions, and your actions both on and off the mat

Indomitable Spirit (백절불굴) Never giving up, no matter the challenge

Parents consistently tell us that these values are the most lasting thing their children take from Hwa Rang, not the belts, but the character. Here is a short video showing our students in class learning the 5 Tenets.

Our Mission

Following the guidance of Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, our mission at Hwa Rang is to carry forward the Art of Self-Defence exactly as it was intended, much more than a generic confidence-building programme, but the genuine discipline of ITF Taekwondo, developing strong character in every student alongside real technical skill.

Every Blackbelt Academy class is built to do far more than teach kicks and patterns. Students learn how to handle pressure, respect others, commit to something difficult, and keep going when it gets hard, skills that stay with them long after they leave the dojang.

We welcome students of all ages from 4 years old. Kids, teens and adults train side by side, and no experience or shortcuts are required. We deliver a structured, purposeful journey from white belt to black belt, guided by world-class instructors at 6 venues across Dubai, 7 days a week.

How Grading Exams Work

Grading exams at Hwa Rang assess proficiency across four disciplines: Tul (patterns), Matsogi (sparring), board breaking, and fundamental techniques and knowledge. Every exam is a whole-club event, bringing every Hwa Rang family together across all six Dubai venues, one of the most powerful and emotional moments in a child's Taekwondo journey.

We Never Set a Student Up to Fail

Students are only invited to sit an exam once our instructors know they are genuinely ready. We would never put a child forward for an exam expecting them to fail. The final decision on a student's readiness rests with our Head Coach, Master Carlos Bazan, ensuring every invitation to grade reflects real confidence in that student's ability.

"A belt does not only recognize what a student can do, it also reflects the person they are becoming."

by Master Carlos Bazan

If a booked exam is missed due to illness, it is simply rescheduled. In the rare case a student does not pass, they continue training in the specific area needing improvement and rebook to resit when they are ready. Exam fees are AED 280.

What It Takes to Reach Black Belt

The closer a student gets to black belt, the more is asked of them, not just on the mats, but in how they show up for the club. Red Belt students (2nd Gup) must attend a minimum of 30 classes, training at least twice a week as an assistant alongside Master Carlos or Sabum Sergios, before they are eligible for their black stripe exam.

Black Stripe students (1st Gup) must complete a minimum of 60 classes, including 30 as an assistant, training at least twice a week, and must demonstrate full knowledge of every technique, Tul and theory from every colour belt that came before. This is what makes a Hwa Rang black belt mean something, it is earned through real time, real teaching experience, and real mastery of the Art.

Patterns Get Harder as Students Advance

As students advance, the demands increase. The first pattern, Cho-Ji, contains 24 sequenced movements. By the time a student reaches So-San at the higher grades, they are executing 72 movements with precision, focus and power. Every step forward is earned.

Step by step... no rush

Every student begins as a white belt. Under the guidance of Master Carlos and our Sabums, they progress through 9 colour belt grades, each one earned, never given

Our Grading Exams at Hwa Rang

Learn From Instructors Who Live the Values They Teach

ITF-Certified Taekwondo Coaches in Dubai With 81+ Years of Combined Experience

At Hwa Rang our instructors bring far more than technical ability to the mats. Together they combine decades of international Taekwondo experience with real-world leadership, teaching, mentoring and family values that help students grow with confidence both inside and outside the dojang. Every instructor at Hwa Rang is ITF-certified, First Aid qualified and fully trained in child safeguarding.

3x ITF World Champion | 3x Pan-American, South American & European Champion

With 37 years in Taekwondo and 26 years of coaching experience including at International Level, with the Spanish National Team at the 2022 World Championship in the Netherlands Master Carlos is one of the most decorated ITF Taekwondo instructors in the world. Originally from Argentina, he has dedicated his entire life to the discipline, values and philosophy of the art.

His teaching approach combines elite competitive standards with a genuine commitment to developing every student, from a 4-year-old on their first day to an adult working toward black belt. Children who arrive unsure of themselves leave standing taller.

"Whether it is a child throwing their very first kick or a world champion striving for excellence, both deserve the same level of attention, commitment, and dedication to the fundamental values of our art."

On the mats, Master Carlos is the heart of our TKD family, supporting and developing every student, challenging and driving them forward with integrity, leadership and lifelong Taekwondo values.

Master Carlos Bazan

7th Dan Black Belt

Head of Coaching

Sabum Jana

2nd Dan Black Belt

Co-Owner

Sabum Jana combines a Degree in Education with international ITF competition experience, including winning Silver at the World Open Tournament in Greece.

Fluent in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, she connects easily with children and helps them feel confident from the start. One student was once too afraid to leave the ground by even a few centimetres. Jana held his hand and jumped with him, class after class, until one day he jumped alone. He now performs flying kicks with zero fear, exactly the kind of transformation Jana watches for in every child.

"You don't have to do it perfectly today, you just have to be brave enough to try."

As co-founder of Hwa Rang, Jana knows every student by name, personality and potential. She has learned that children don't always need someone to push them. They need someone who believes in them until they're able to believe in themselves.

World Silver Medallist | Degree in Education

Sabum Sergios

3rd Dan Black Belt

Senior Instructor

35 years on the mats | Father of two Hwa Rang Black Belts

Sabum Sergios brings over 35 years of martial arts experience to the mats, including a competitive career with multiple Pan Hellenic gold medals and a #1 ranking in Greece in his category. He pairs that with the precision and mental discipline of a commercial pilot, the leadership instilled by his military background, and the perspective of a father whose own two children earned their black belts at Hwa Rang.

"Being there physically is not enough. When you train, your mind has to be there 100% in order to absorb and progress."

His coaching is calm, structured and encouraging. He sets clear standards, leads by example, and helps students grow in confidence while enjoying every step of their Taekwon-Do journey. His mantra is simple: Taekwon-Do as a way of daily life builds discipline that forges strength in both body and mind.

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What sets the Hwa Rang instructor team apart:

Our instructors have competed, coached and taught students across Argentina, Lebanon, Greece, Spain and the UAE

Between them they speak English, Arabic, French, Greek and Spanish, creating a welcoming environment for Dubai's diverse international families

Their backgrounds span elite sport, education, aviation, military service and family life, bringing real-world depth to every class

Hwa Rang runs ITF Taekwondo classes 7 days a week across 6 Dubai venues See full class timetable and find your nearest venue →

Languages spoken by Hwa Rang instructors - English, Arabic, French, Greek and Spanish

81+

ITF World Championship titles won by Head Instructor Master Carlos Bazan

3

Combined years of ITF experience across the Hwa Rang Dubai instructor team

Excellence in Competition

For students who want to compete, and not all do, Hwa Rang offers competition preparation training alongside the standard ITF syllabus. Master Carlos draws on his experience as a 3x World Champion to prepare students for ITF-sanctioned tournaments across the UAE and internationally. Several Hwa Rang students have represented their countries at regional and world level competitions.

International Tournaments

• 10th World King of Taekwondo, 13-15 Dec 2024 in Thessaloniki, Greece our video - Head Coach: Master Carlos Bazan - 7 Athletes competing: Jana Al Rayes, Mia Croall, Roc MacDonnell, Chrysoula Petridi, Petros Petridis, Sergios Petridis and Atharva Vadeyar

UAE Competitions & Tournaments

• 4th Dubai Hwa Rang Taekwon-Do Tournament in Dubai - 16 Nov 2025

• 3rd Dubai Taekwon-Do Academy Tournament in Dubai - Tournament video & highlights video

• 2nd Dubai Taekwon-Do Academy Tournament in Dubai - 3 March 2024

• 1st Dubai Taekwon-Do Academy Tournament in Dubai - 20 Oct 2023

10th World King of Taekwondo Results

At the 2024 King of Taekwon-Do tournament, our Hwa Rang athletes didn't just compete, they medalled. Sabum Jana took 1st Place in Veteran Sparring and 2nd Place in Veteran Tul, while Sabum Sergios Petridis claimed 1st Place in Veteran Tul, proof that our instructors lead by example both on and off the mats.

Our junior, teen and adult squad brought home results across the board: Sabum Chrysoula Petridi and Kamalini Shurain both placed 3rd in Junior Sparring, Sabum Atharva Vadeya placed 2nd in Adults Tul and 4th in Adults Sparring, and Sabum Mia Croall, Sabum Petros Petridis and Sabum Roc McDonnell each placed 4th in their Sparring and Tul categories.

Every student who steps onto the competition mat represents months of dedicated training, and every result, gold or fourth place, reflects the same perseverance and self-control we build in class every day.

World Class Taekwon-Do Coaching

At Hwa Rang, as part of our Blackbelt Academy, we offer individualised Elite Level Coaching Plans and Training for higher level athletes targeting specific competitions. Several of our students have already competed internationally, including at the 10th World King of Taekwondo in Thessaloniki, Greece, proof that this coaching produces real results, not just promises.

We provide specialist training on a group or one-to-one basis for targeted International Competition Preparation, under the guidance of Master Carlos Bazan, 3 x World Champion and International Coach for the Spanish National Team. Gain individualised, targeted training programmes designed to optimise your preparation for your specific competition or grading goal.

"It's not about the belt, it's about individual progress. Everyone is there for a different reason, and it's important to enjoy the process and become a better version of yourself instead of just looking for your next belt."

by Sabum Sergios

Elite coaching is priced according to your specific goals, frequency and competition timeline. Message us on WhatsApp to discuss a tailored plan and find out what is possible for your competitive journey.

Specialist & Elite Competition and Tournament Coaching Provision

Email

Phone or Whatsapp

info@HwaRangClub.com

+971 5678 52 822

© Since 2022-2026. Hwa Rang Taekwon-Do Club. All rights reserved.

Free trial class available for every student - book today!

Hwa Rang Taekwon-Do Club

Taekwondo classes for kids (age 4+), teens and adults across Dubai

6 venues 7 days a week - Dubai Silicon Oasis | Motor City | Meydan South x 2 | Al Waha | Production City

Plan your personalized training schedule around family life and mix & match class times, days & venues choosing from our 6 Dubai venues over 7 days a week

Family member discounts

Hwa Rang Taekwon-Do Club (formerly Dubai Taekwon-Do Academy) is a licensed and ITF-certified martial arts club, registered in Dubai as Hwa Rang Martial Arts Club LLC and is a member of the International Taekwon-Do Federation.