Taekwondo Excellence:

The Journey Behind a Successful Martial Arts School

The foundations of the school were built on a lifelong commitment to Taekwondo, continuous learning, and the belief that martial arts should help people develop confidence, discipline, resilience, and respect.

Beginning training in 1986, Master Chris Snow explored several martial arts disciplines, including Kung Fu, Karate, Muay Thai, and Boxing, before finding his passion in Taekwondo. Training under respected instructors and later alongside some of the UK’s most accomplished competitors, he developed the skills, knowledge, and teaching methods that would eventually shape one of the region’s most successful Taekwondo programmes.

Building a Strong Martial Arts Foundation

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, extensive training under highly respected instructors provided the foundation for a coaching philosophy centred on technical excellence, discipline, and personal development. Exposure to high-level competition and elite coaching environments helped establish standards that continue to influence the school’s training today.

Competitive experience played an important role in this journey. Between 1989 and 2009, over 40 medals were earned at national events, demonstrating a commitment to continual improvement and perseverance. More importantly, these experiences provided valuable insights that could later be passed on to future generations of students.

Developing Champions and Confident Students

Since 1994, the focus has shifted increasingly towards coaching and student development. Over the years, the school has produced more than 60 National Champions, along with numerous European and World medalists.

Success, however, is measured by more than trophies alone. Students are encouraged to develop confidence, self-discipline, leadership skills, fitness, and resilience both inside and outside the training hall. The goal is to create well-rounded martial artists who can apply the lessons of Taekwondo throughout their lives.

The school’s reputation has been built on consistency, high standards, and a welcoming environment where students of all ages and abilities can progress at their own pace.

Lessons Learned Through Adversity

One of the core values taught within the school is perseverance. This philosophy stems from overcoming significant personal challenges, including recovering from a serious childhood accident that required extensive rehabilitation and rebuilding balance, coordination, and confidence.

These experiences continue to shape the school’s approach to teaching. Students learn that setbacks do not define success; determination, patience, and consistent effort do.

A Teaching Philosophy Focused on Real Growth

Training is delivered with honesty, discipline, and genuine care for every student’s progress. The emphasis is on helping individuals become the best version of themselves, regardless of age, background, experience, or natural ability.

Every achievement within the school is earned through dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This culture encourages students to develop both strong martial arts skills and strong character.

The coaching team believes that martial arts should be accessible to everyone and that every student deserves the same level of support, encouragement, and respect.

Commitment to Lifelong Learning

Continuous training and professional development remain at the heart of the school’s philosophy. Decades of consistent practice, study, and teaching have helped maintain exceptionally high technical standards while ensuring students benefit from current knowledge and proven training methods.

This commitment to excellence has enabled generations of students to achieve their goals, whether that involves gaining confidence, improving fitness, competing successfully, or progressing through the ranks of Taekwondo.

International Recognition

In November 2020, Master Chris Snow was inducted into the General Choi Hong Hi Hall of Fame, a prestigious honour recognising 

significant contributions to the development and promotion of Taekwondo.

His internationally recognised qualifications include National and International certifications from 2nd Degree through to 7th Degree Master level, reflecting decades of dedication to the art.

Looking to the Future

Today, the focus remains firmly on providing high-quality Taekwondo instruction, supporting student success, and continuing to build a positive martial arts community. The vision is simple: to help more people discover the lifelong benefits of Taekwondo while maintaining the values, standards, and traditions that have guided the school for decades.

Since 1994, Chris has been coaching Tae Kwon Do, leading clubs in St. Albans and London Colney. He currently oversees the L.T.S.I.

achieve success both on and off the mats.

Through expert coaching, a supportive environment, and a commitment to excellence, the school continues to help students of all ages and is ready to help you.

Past instructors and members attempted to impose new rules on us and tarnish our reputation through slander. However, that’s all in the past, as we now run a stable group that progresses independently, free from political interference.

His life has been challenging, having spent his youth in boarding schools and foster homes because of his parents’ poor role modeling. At ten, he survived a motorcycle accident that severely injured his abdomen, requiring 170 stitches. He relearned balance, speech, and coordination, making his accomplishments all the more remarkable. However Chris says there is no ‘I’ in team so he puts the success of the clubs at the hands of all past and present instructors at the clubs. After all he states I am simply the driver of the taxi.

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