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Grit & Glory Taekwondo

Our story

Built by champions. Driven by discipline.

Grit & Glory Taekwondo was founded by two former members of the Philippine National Taekwondo Team with one mission: raise disciplined, confident kids the right way — no shortcuts, no handed-out belts.

Track record

Years of excellence
10+
Students trained
500+
Branches in Taguig & Parañaque
3

On the competition track — from local tournaments to national level

  • A student in a red-trimmed dobok showing her gold medal and smiling
  • Three students with medals at a tournament arena
  • A student with a medal in front of an interschool taekwondo championship banner

Recognised by the organisations that set the standard

  • World Taekwondo — International governing body
  • Kukkiwon — World Taekwondo Headquarters — dan certification
  • Philippine Taekwondo Association — National governing body
  • Philippine Sports Commission — Government sports agency
  • Milo Philippines — Youth sports programme partner

More than a dojang

Grit & Glory Taekwondo began with a simple conviction: the lessons that matter most on the mat — discipline, respect, perseverance — are the same ones that shape a child's life off it. Our founders competed at the highest levels of the sport, representing the Philippines on the international stage, and they built this academy to pass that standard on to the next generation.

For over a decade we've trained more than 500 students across Metro Manila. Some have gone on to become national team athletes. Many have earned college scholarships through Taekwondo. But the result we're proudest of is quieter: thousands of small moments where a shy child raises their hand, a restless one learns to focus, and a beginner discovers they're capable of far more than they thought.

We don't rush promotions and we don't water down the curriculum. Every belt at Grit & Glory is earned through genuine effort — because real skill can't be faked, and real confidence can't be given. It has to be built.

Coach Nica and Coach Gian standing back to back with arms crossed, in black-belt doboks

Philippine National Team

Founded by two former Philippine National Taekwondo Team athletes.

Coach Nica in a Philippine national team jacket, holding up a medal
Coach Nica · Philippine National Team
Coach Gian in sparring gear, receiving instructions from a coach at a competition
Coach Gian · Philippine National Team
Coach Gian with the Philippine national team in official team jackets
Coach Gian with the Philippine National Team

The Grit & Glory difference

No shortcuts. No handed-out belts.

Grit & Glory was founded by two former members of the Philippine National Taekwondo Team with one mission: raise disciplined, confident kids the right way.

  1. No-shortcut belt system

    Every belt is earned through genuine effort and real skill. We never rush promotions, because confidence built on a shortcut doesn't last.

  2. National-caliber coaching

    Led by former national team athletes who have produced national competitors and college scholarship holders — your child learns from people who've done it.

  3. Discipline that transfers

    Respect, focus, and self-control don't stay on the mat. Parents consistently tell us the change shows up at home and in school first.

  4. Family-first community

    More than a dojang — a family. Parents are partners in the journey from white belt to black belt, and are always welcome to watch.

Our journey

  1. 2016

    Two national athletes, one standard

    Coach Gian and Coach Nica leave the competition circuit to build an academy that trains kids to the same standard they were held to.

  2. Growth

    From one mat to three branches

    Demand from parents across Taguig and Parañaque grows the academy to three branches serving students ages 3 and up — kids, teens, and adults.

  3. Track record

    500+ students trained

    Students go on to represent the country and earn college scholarships — proof that the no-shortcut approach works.

  4. Today

    Discipline first, champions next

    Grit & Glory continues to raise disciplined, confident kids — one earned belt at a time.

Your coaches

Learn from people who've done it.

Led by two former national team athletes, backed by instructors who hold every student to the same standard.

Coach Gian in a black-belt dobok with a Philippine flag patch, arms crossed
Founder

Coach Gian

Program Director & Founder

  • Former Philippine National Team
  • 8+ years coaching

Specializes in youth development and curriculum design. Has guided multiple students to college scholarships through Taekwondo.

Coach Nica in a black-belt dobok, smiling
Co-Founder

Coach Nica

Head Coach & Co-Founder

  • Former Philippine National Team
  • SEA Games medalist
  • ASEAN champion

Over six years of coaching experience producing national-level athletes.

Head instructors

Coach Sarah in a red-trimmed dobok, holding a fist at her chest

Coach Sarah

Head Instructor

Dedicated to building strong fundamentals and confidence in every student, from their first class to black belt.

Coach Mark in a black-belt dobok, arms crossed

Coach Mark

Head Instructor

Focused on discipline and technical mastery, helping students progress with a genuine, no-shortcut approach.

Coach Desh in a black-belt dobok, smiling

Coach Desh

Head Instructor

Brings energy and structure to every class, helping students build focus, respect, and real skill.

Start today

Your first classis completely free.

See the difference one class can make. Pick your branch, book a time, and experience what real Taekwondo training looks like.

  • Free first class
  • No gear needed
  • No commitment