Welcome to Cho's NEWPORT

School of Tae Kwon Do

AIMAA Certified International Instructor Mr. Nick Gleeson fourth Degree Black Belt and Ms Tess Duffy third Degree Black Belt

What are YOU looking for from a martial art?

Fitness
Real Self Defense
Confidence
Martial Arts
Real Rape prevention
Flexibility
Strength
Power
Discipline

If what you are looking for is in this list then you have come to the right place.

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Where are we?

We are located in the village of Newport County Tipperary in the Newport Community Center. Newport is located about 10 miles north east of Limerick city off the main Limerick Dublin road.  If you know the village the hall is easy to find. Coming from the Limerick direction turn left in the village square at Gleeson's pub and drive for approximately 1/4 mile out of the village, now you will see the hall on the right hand side of the road. There is a good car park in front of the hall so no worries there. The Newport Community Center has recently been refurbished and is now a fine place to train in with good central heating, showers and changing room, it is monitored 24x7 by security cameras and caretakers. Click here for map

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The Head Instructor

Mr. Nick Gleeson.
Nick has been practicing Tae Kwon Do since 1986 and is currently a fourth degree black belt AIMAA qualified instructor, he is also a certified; Self Defense Instructor, Grappling Instructor and RAPE Defense Instructor. Nick established the Newport School of Tae Kwon Do in 1996, and travels to Dublin and the USA on a regular basis to further his own training and to keep abreast of current practices and techniques under Master John Darcy (7th Degree black belt and AIMAA European Regional Director) and Master Peter Byrne (6th Degree black belt and Irish Regional Director for AIMAA). Nick and Tess are also a certified First Aiders.

Nick started his martial arts career in Shannon in Wado Kai Karate and then moved on to TaekWonDo (RITA) in Limerick under Paddy Moloney (3rd Degree black belt). He opened his own club in Castleconnell in 1994 and then opened the Newport club in 1996. Mr. Gleeson joined AIMAA in late 1996 and has since enjoyed attending seminars held by Grand Master Hee Il Cho and Master Philip Ameris as well as training under Master Darcy and Master Byrne.

Recently Nick came third in the over 35 Mens sparring at the World Championships, it just goes to show there's life in the old dog yet. :O)

The Newport School of Taekwondo now has 18 Black Belt students, an indication of how well our school is doing, Each black belt student must put in their 4 years of training and a tough black belt grading to achieve their first black belt. Only those who persist and train hard make it to black belt and beyond. Well done to all of you who have, we are very proud of you.

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Assistant Instructor

Tess Duffy. 

Tess joined the Newport School of Taekwondo in 1998 and is currently a third Degree Black Belt. Tess did her testing for Black Belt in June/July of 2004 and passed with flying colours. As the assistant instructor Tess is also a qualified first aider. As assistant instructor Tess concentrates on the younger members (Panthers)of the school teaching them dicipline and foundation techniques. Tess is also involved in the administration and day to day running of the school. Tess is very involved in our Self Defense program for women and put a lot of time and work into it. She holds numerous awards for power breaking and sparring and recently came third in the World Championships in the power breaking section.

Last summer (2009) Tess set up the Newport Panthers club, this is for children under the age of 10 and introduces the children to Martial arts in a gentle way. The child learns disciplin, physical fitness, self confidence and above all, fun. There is no sparring but fighting concepts are introduced (punching and kicking) and an awareness of the need for self defence. Tess works tirelessly with the Panthers and generates a hard working and fun environment. The students are graded by us until they reach a level where they can graduate to the main classes when they are fully ready. Some Panthers have already moved up to our regular classes. Panthers classes are every Moday evening from 6:15 until 7:00 pm. Ages are from 4 to 10. Come and watch us in action some evening, all welcome.

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So What will I Learn?

Basically you will develop Physical Fitness, Stamina, learn Discipline, Self Defense, Confidence and above all a Martial Art that is beautiful to look at and even more beautiful to practice, with its high kicks, power techniques, style, grace,strength and speed. Taekwondo is a complete and effective form of martial art that originated in Korea.

Self Defense: The Self defense techniques taught are tried and trusted no nonsense methods that are effective, easy to learn and who knows, may one day save you from being harassed, mugged or even murdered. Naturally it is impossible to guarantee that the techniques you learn will save you from such an attack, but at least you will have a better chance and better understanding of how to handle the situation and your self.

Grappling: You will learn to grapple, this is useful for when a fight hits the deck and you need to be capable of fighting on the ground. Most fights end up this way, therefore it is necessary to understand ground fighting techniques and how to use them.

Rape defense: The rape defense techniques taught are straight from Master Philip Ameris's proven RAPE defense program, this program has been taught to thousands of American women and men, and has proved its self time and time again. All AIMAA instructors have been taught and certified by Master Ameris himself. The program is frank, explicit and not for minors. Our RAPE defense program is a no nonsense common sense approach that requires absolutly no knowledge of martial arts or require any special skills.

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Who is who?

Who is heading up the association in Europe? None other than the venerable Master John Darcy, 7th degree black belt and European Regional Director for AIMAA. Master Darcy is one of Grand Master He Ill Cho's favorite disciples. Master Darcy owns and runs Cho's Taekwondo School in Santry in Dublin which is the AIMAA headquarters for Ireland and Europe. Master Darcy teaches and instructs on a daily basis and visits all of the clubs giving seminars, lectures and doing gradings. Master Darcy is one of the finest martial artists of our time and a real human being.

Who is the AIMAA Irish Director? Master Peter Byrne is a sixth degree black belt and runs clubs in Limerick and the surrounding area. Master Byrne has been the AIMAA regional director for Ireland for the past 8 years and was the second in command for 3 years. Mr Byrne is also AIMAA Irelands technical advisor and self defense expert. He is constantly striving to improve and refine our techniques in these areas. Master Byrne like Master Darcy trains tirelessly and travels the country giving seminars and doing grading's

Grand Master Hee Il Cho

This legendary Grand Master of Taekwondo needs no introduction, he is one of the worlds finest masters and still practices and teaches in his schools, he still performs like a man in his twenties,with fitness, speed and power that leaves us breathless. Age and experience has given him great wisdom which he shares regularly with us, his philosophy to Martial Arts training is fresh and invigorating. He is a true inspiration to us all and a true Grand Master of Taekwondo. Grandmaster Cho visited Ireland in September of 2009 and gave a stunning seminar that was attended by over 700 students from all over Ireland. No one was disappointed and our Grand Master is as lively and fit as ever.