Sabumnim Edward Park
Fifth Dan
Head Master Instructor

Head Master Instructor Edward began his training in TaeKwonDo at the age of 4. He is the elder son of the Park family and a 5th degree Black Belt. He graduated with honors from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a business degree and was inducted into the National Honor Society (Delta Mu Delta).

After graduating, Edward wanted to find meaningful work that could make a difference in people's lives. He chose to fulfill this passion through TaeKwonDo. Along with his many accolades with TaeKwonDo, Edward was also a three sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football) in high school. He was selected for the best male athlete award his senior year. He went on to play college baseball where he was voted as team captain.

He credits much of his academic and athletic success in his life to TaeKwonDo. It has given him the necessary focus, discipline and leadership skills that have been invaluable in his life. TaeKwonDo has been an instrumental part of his life and he wishes to teach others so they may benefit as well. He plans to build upon his past accomplishments and continue to grow as an individual.

TaeKwonDo Experience

- Promotion to 5th Dan Black Belt (November 2009)
- Head Master Instructor at Y.H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo
- Awarded Letter of Commendation by World TaeKwonDo Headquarters Kukkiwon from Korea (2009)
- Assistant Instructor for physical education class at Long Island University C.W. Post
- Performed demonstration for Mets baseball game at Shea Stadium (2005, 2006)
- Organized and instructed in an intramural self-defense class while at school.
- Participated in 2008 New York Open as a judge and coach.
- Member of demonstration team for 1993 World TaeKwonDo Championships held at Madison Square Garden
- Gold medalist (Sparring) in New York State Championship (1994,1995)
- Gold medalist (Sparring, Board Breaking) Governor's Cup (1994, 1995)
- Gold medalist (Sparring, Forms, Board Breaking) Y.H. Park Invitational (1995)
- Special Training at World TaeKwonDo Headquarters Kukkiwon in Korea (1994)
- Participated in TaeKwonDo charity events (March of Dimes, Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis)
- Started as a TaeKwonDo white belt at Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo (1990)

Sabumnim Elliott Park
Fourth Dan Instructor
Demo Team Member & Co-Captain

Master Instructor Elliott Park is a 4th degree Black Belt and an instructor at Y. H. Park TaeKwonDo School. His training began when he was just 4 years old and still continues today. He is the youngest of the Park family. Elliott is the co-captain of the Y. H. Park Demonstration team as well as one of the demonstration team members himself. Elliott is currently a student at Clarke High School.

Taekwondo Experience

• Promotion to 4th Dan Black Belt (November 2009)
• Instructor at Y. H. Park Olympic Taekwondo
• Korean Youth Exchange Promotion Association participant at Kukkiwon (2005)
• Performed numerous demonstrations across New York State.
• Children's coach for New York Open (2008)
• Gold medalist (sparring, forms) Governors Cup (2000)
• Gold medalist (sparring, forms) New York State Championship (1999)
• Started as Taekwondo white belt in Y. H. Park Olympic Taekwondo (1998)

Kyosanim David C. Hayes
Third Dan
Instructor and Coach

Chogonim David C. Hayes is a 3rd Dan Black Belt and Instructor at YH Park Olympic TaeKwonDo where he has been a member for ten years. David initially met Grand Master Park in Los Angeles in 1989 when he was selected by his former instructor, Master Kwang Bae Kim to appear on the cover of Karate Kung Fu Illustrated with Grand Master Park. David has coached five Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo students to victory at New York State Championships and USA Tae Kwon Do National qualifiers. He was inducted into the Malverne High School Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2007. David also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Adelphi University.

Taekwondo Experience

• Gold Medals in Poomse and Sparring 2011 NY TaeKwonDo Open and Korean Cultural Festival
• Coach at Y. H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo (2004 – 2010)
• Promotion to 3rd Dan Black Belt (June 2009)
• New York Open Championships Referee (2008)
• Gold medalist (Poomsae) New York State Championship (2007)
• Presidential Citation from the Kukkiwon (2006)
• Gold medalist (Poomsae) New York State Governors Cup (2006)
• Gold medalist (Poomsae) New York State Championship (2006)

Kyosanim David Zabransky
Third Dan
Instructor

David is a Third Dan Black Belt at YH Park Olympic Tae Kwon Do and has been training for over 20 years.

David first met Grandmaster YH Park at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University in September 1990. David took a Tae Kwon Do class that was being taught by Grandmaster Park at the college. Upon completion of the course, David continued his training at the YH Park Tae Kwon Do school in East Meadow. In 1991, he was trusted to work at both the East Meadow School and the Commack School as an Assistant Manager.

David took a break from training in 1993 as a First Dan Black Belt in order to enter the NYPD Police Academy. David has stopped and started his training for various reasons over the years, but has always faithfully returned to YH Park Tae Kwon Do and currently has three of his four children training with him. David regularly assists Master Edward Park during class with both children and adult classes. David is currently a Patrol Sergeant in the NYPD with 18 years experience.

David's experience as a Police Officer allows him to bring a unique and valuable point of view to class as we practice Tae Kwon Do as a group. He credits his Tae Kwon Do training as a major factor which gives him the confidence he needs to stay calm, relaxed and safe at work even when dangerous situations arise.

Tae Kwon Do Experience

• Promotion to 3rd Dan Black Belt (December 2010)
• Gold Medalist (Sparring) 2010 NY Open Championship
• Silver Medalist (Poomse) 2010 NY Open Championship
• Guest Speaker on "Safety" during YH Park Black Belt Test (2010)
• Promotion to 2nd Dan Black Belt (June 2004)
• Promotion to 1st Dan Black Belt (October 1993)
• Assistant Manager YH Park Tae Kwon Do School (1991-1992)
• Silver Medalist (Sparring) NY Tae Kwon Do Tournament (1991)
• Started as a Tae Kwon Do White Belt at YH Park Tae Kwon Do (1990)
  

Jason Aptekar
First Dan & Demo Team Member
Instructor
Executive Director

Jason began training TaeKwonDo while in college with Pan American Games team member, Master Instructor Chungsik Choi in Binghamton, NY. When Jason returned from college, at the advice of Master Choi, he began training at Y. H. Park TaeKwonDo "East Meadow" School under Grandmaster Park and Head Master Instructor Jung Kim. In August of 1991 Jason had the pleasure of returning to Binghamton as a guest of Master Choi for the New York State TaeKwonDo Championship and representing both Master Choi and Y.H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo at the tournament.

After too many years Jason returned to Grandmaster Park in December of 2008 with his daughter, Maya. In June 2011 Maya earned her 1st Dan (one month before her 10th birthday!) Jason and Maya train together and participate in School and Demo team activities. Jason is Chair of the Activities Committee which organizes demos, special programs, and community outreach activities. In January 2010 he became Honorary Executive Director of Y.H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo, and considers it a privilege to work with Grandmaster Y.H. Park, Master Edward Park, and the extraordinary group of people who make up the Y.H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo family.

Taekwondo Experience

•Secretary General of the 2011 NY TaeKwonDo Open and Korean Cultural Festival
•Gold Medals in Poomse and Sparring and Silver Medals in Breaking and Exhibition Sparring at the 2011 NY TaeKwonDo Open and Korean Cultural Festival
•Secretary General of the 2011 NY Taekwondo Open Championships
• Gold medalist for Poomse (forms), Breaking, Demo Team and Sparring in the Black Belt adult senior division at the 2011 U.S. TaeKwonDo Festival
• Gold medalist for Poomse (forms) and Silver medalist sparring in the Black Belt adult senior division at the 2010 NY Open Championship
• 1st Dan Black Belt in May of 2010
• Appointment to Executive Director of Y.H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo (January 2010)
• Awarded Letter of Commendation by World TaeKwonDo Headquarters Kukkiwon from Korea (December 2009)
• Promotion to Bo Dan Black Belt (November 2009)
• Awarded US TaeKwonDo Leaders Union Certificate of Appreciation (October 2009)
• Returned to Y. H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo after 18 years (2008)
• Promoted to 3rd Kub Red Belt (August 1991)
• Demo Team Member for demos at CW Post & other Long Island locations (1990 and 1991)
• Silver medalist (forms), Bronze medalist (sparring) New York State Championship (1991)
• Began training at Y. H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo East Meadow School (1990)
• Started as TaeKwonDo white belt in Sang Lee's TaeKwonDo Academy (1988)

Jr. Kyosanim Alex Turcios
First Dan
Instructor

Alex is a 1st Dan Black Belt at Y.H. Park Olympic Tae Kwon Do and has been with us for over 4 years when he started at 11 years old.

He is a Y.H. Park Demo Team Member and also an intern for the Korean Cultural Service of New York Taekwondo Demo Team. He is an excellent Tae Kwon Do practitioner who is consistently improving his skills and leadership ability every day. He helps instruct Master Edward Park 3 times a week with kids and adult classes.

He has won gold in forms, board breaking and team demo and silver in sparring in competitions he has competed in. He is a charming individual who has a bright future ahead.

Tae Kwon Do Experience

• Gold Medalist (forms, board breaking, team demo) U.S. Taekwondo Festival (2011)
• Silver Medalist (sparring) U.S. Taekwondo Festival (2011)
• Silver Medalist (forms) 2010 New York Open Bronze Medalist (sparring)
• 2010 New York Open Intern for Korean Cultural Service of New York Taekwondo Demo Team (2010)
• Assistant Instructor at Y.H. Park Olympic Taekwondo (2009)
• Promotion to 1st Dan Black Belt (May 2009) Started as a Tae Kwon Do white belt at Y.H. Park Tae Kwon Do (2007)