WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR (KPTV) - The Black Belt Academy / US World Class Taekwondo Bethany 

Morgan Barber, 25, is a two-time blackbelt who is leading life with a purpose in martial arts.
“It’s not going to stop me, even if I have a disability,” Barber said.
Six years into her career, there don’t seem to be many limitations for Barber, who has big dreams.
“I am a fast learner at some things, and sometimes, it is going to take me a little bit longer to get a muscle memory of certain moves,” Barber said. “It’s still a challenge because sometimes when I do spin kicks on my left side, I have to feel for the target, because I can’t feel the target on that side, so I have to feel for it and hear for the target.”
Turning a disability into ability, Barber uses her heightened senses to elevate her craft.
George Hristescu with Bethany US. World Class Taekwondo says Barber is often the hardest worker in the room.
“Every day she comes in, she puts in the work, she’s the hardest worker in the room, and that inspires,” Hristescu said.
Barber recently collected a silver medal at the Mexico Open in Mexico City after earning bronze for the United States in last year’s Pan-American Championships.
“Win or lose, I always try my best,” Barber said.

Barber says she is living proof of hard work and dedication, which she passes on to young student at the Bethany US. World Class Taekwondo Marital Arts Academy.
“And they look up to her,” Chief Master Hristescu said.

Just a few of the extraordinary achievements of the Morgan Braber the SUper Para Taekwondo Athlete:
U.S. National Champion 
U.S. World Open Gold Medalist
U.S. Open Gold Medalist
Pan American Para Taekwondo Championship - Bronze for Team USA

We are preparing for the INAS Games, held in Brisbane, Australia where Morgan will participate as Team USA. 
How exciting!
​

EJuly 22, 2017, Portland Oregon, Bethany Village, the home of U.S. World Class Taekwondo Bethany, we welcome Ms. Thoa Nguyen a Master Instructor with over 35 years of training under her World Champion Belt.
Three hours of intensive Taekwondo training, focused on Competitive Poomsae, commonly known to the general public as kata or forms,   a complex of movements, a  formal exercise. Poomsae has a deeper and spiritual meaning that is done in almost every aspect of life. Kata is a series of movements and techniques that are practiced in a pattern. Kata is similar to shadow boxing except each move is prearranged and choreographed in a geometrical pattern.
Each Poomsae is designed to teach a central principle or a set of common technique. Each Poomsae is done at a certain speed and tempo. In Some Poomsae the speed varies from move to move while others are done at one speed and at one tempo. Through Poomsae we learn proper stance, focus and transition between technique.
The high level training included a video review section for the students to be able to see their performance video reply in real time.
We want to thank you for your time and for the valuable tips on how to improve the forms!
" Thank you Master George for welcoming me! I had so much fun, students are awesome, and we had so much fun!!! I look forward to the next training session!"
Master Thoa Nguyen 2017 World Champion

June 8 through 11, in San Francisco, The World Taekwondo Academy organized the International Taekwondo Master course. Over one hundred Master Instructors from 7 countries lined up at the start of these 4 meaningful training days where six of our U.S. World Class Taekwondo instructors, ranking 3rd to 6th Dan, from our West Portland Schools Group, Cedar Mill, Bethany and Beaverton on Baseline,  were accepted to attend the International Certification Course.

It's been a great few weeks, we did this before but every single time is different. Met new Springville Elementary Students and families, first, second, third graders, all amazing and  fun kids. Few weeks of basic self defense, kicks and fun physical activity, mat chat on Core Family Values like discipline, respect, perseverance and good attitude and , not at last, the  utmost importance of being a supportive member of their community, a good citizen. We are excited to send a one thousand dollar check to Springville Elementary PTO. We know they'll make a good use of the funds.The  course ended with a special Graduation Ceremony at our Martial Arts Academy. 
To see the confidence boost these awesome kids get by practicing Martial Arts, is priceless. We wish them the best and we hope that we'll  see them soon, as their journey in Martial Arts does not have to end here.
Please let us know if there are any opportunities to run our Character Kids program for your school. We are proud to support our community and its great people.
Chief Master George Hristescu