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Sensei of the Year

Master Young S. Won

Master Young S. Won is a high school mathematics teacher during the day and a martial arts instructor during the evenings.  He is also a practicing Baptist Minister.  His credentials include winning numerous national forms and weapons championships from the years 1979 to 1997, including the 1997 Battle of Atlanta and NASKA Forms Championships.  

In 1997, he was inducted into the Battle of Atlanta Hall of Fame.  In 2003, he received the Georgia State Star Teacher Award.  Master Won, a naturally gifted teacher and an accomplished martial artist, is a man of conviction, principle, and vision.  His leadership by example is unsurpassed. 

In addition to winning top honors in the martial arts, most of his students have the satisfaction of earning high marks academically with an exceptional high school graduation and college acceptance rate.  By combining his love for God and martial arts, Master Won serves the physical as well as the spiritual needs of students and the wider community.

K.I.C.K. Team members with families and Master Won at 03' Battle of Maine dinner.

Master Won currently runs two martial arts schools – one in Columbus, Georgia and one in Phenix City, Alabama.  He is the founder of K.I.C.K. Team (Kicking in Christ’s Kingdom), the International Karate Circuit (IKC) and the promoter of the Southern Open Martial Arts Tournament. 

K.I.C.K. Team is a Christian organization of young people who desire to experience activities and opportunities that will make their lives more meaningful and complete.  The team is formed of concerned young people whose mission is to speak out against drug and alcohol abuse, the importance of education and the resistance of gang lifestyles.  K.I.C.K. Team’s goal is to present the relevance of Jesus Christ in younger people’s daily lives in a friendly and open atmosphere. 

K.I.C.K. Team’s message is that there is a right way to live and the example has been set for us in the Bible.  Team members use skits and role-playing to articulate their message and to demonstrate their skill and proficiency in the martial arts. 

K.I.C.K. Team members stage demonstrations at youth group meetings, malls, churches, schools, and community fundraisers, civic centers and tournaments.  Members are required to abide by a strict code of behavior as well as maintain good grades and participate for the community in demonstrations and tournaments.  Members exhibit dedication to this witness program by training an average of 5 days a week. 

As evidence of their diligence and hard work, national recognition and acclaim have been bestowed upon many members of the K.I.C.K. Team.  On the prestigious NASKA Tour, K.I.C.K. Team members have received many top awards.  Among them are the 1998 Best All Around Black Belt Women, age 18 to 29 years, won by Miss Amy Latta-Won, 2002 Best All Around Youth Black Belt, won by Jake Strickland, and the NASKA World Title for Team Demo for 2003 and 2004.  In addition, many team members are World and National Champions in NASKA forms, fighting, and weapons divisions.   

Master Won has been a great friend to many, father figure to others, and brother in Christ to all.  Jalil Atlaschi speaks for all of Master Won’s students when he states “Mr. Won is a true hero, teacher, master and friend in my eyes.”  Students, parents, friends, and family all have a special place in their hearts for Master Won.