About the Chief Instructor
Master Jennifer Branch, 6th Dan
Master Jennifer Branch recently earned her 6th Degree Black Belt, or 6th Dan, in Taekwondo. Through 5th Dan, her certifications have been earned from the World Taekwondo Federation. The United States Taekwondo Grandmaster Society awarded her 6th Dan in 2008, under the aegis of Grandmaster Won Chik Park, 9th Dan, and Grandmaster Roy D. Kurban, 8th Dan.
Twenty-five years of dedicated training has earn Master Branch many accolades including being ranked as a Top Competitor in the Southwest Region by Karate Illustrated Magazine (1986), a nationally accredited publication.
During her training for 5th Dan in 1996, she returned once again to competition and received Gold and Silver medals at the Texas State T.K.D. Championships in Dallas, TX. Winning at the state level resulted in the opportunity to compete in the 22nd U.S. National T.K.D. Championships in Colorado Springs, at the esteemed U.S. Olympic training center (Silver Medal - Forms).
Her competitive resume includes a corporate sponsorship by Meridian Service Corp. which provided funding for national and international competition such as the International Tournament of Champions in Bermuda, L.A. Internationals, Battle of Atlanta, Fort Worth National Pro-Am, National Karate Open Finals, and the Gulf Coast Nationals, the latter at which she earned 1st in Forms, 1st in Fighting and Forms Grand Champion.
Master Branch founded the Taekwondo programs at The Las Colinas Sports Club at Four Seasons and the GTE World Headquarters in Irving, TX. Both programs grew rapidly and produced 4 Traditional Karate League Eagle Winners and 3 State Medalists in Olympic Style Taekwondo competition.
Master Branch's TKD History
She studied sports science/kinesiology and worked with NCAA women's collegiate teams while at the University of Texas at Austin, further adding to her knowledge and expertise in physical fitness and training.
Special Thanks
Master Branch would like to thank Grandmaster Won Chik Park for allowing her to train at his school during preparation for the U.S. Nationals.
Grandmaster Roy Kurban for the many hours of focus pad training and mental coaching that resulted in winning a few matches.
Dr. Janette Kurban for making the corporate sponsorship a reality.
And, Master Steve Fisher for the private lessons that resulted in the questioning of everything.