4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido.
Erik Morrissette is a martial arts expert with over 30 years of training under the supervision of Grandmaster Jun Chong. He began training at Jun Chong's Martial Arts Center at the age of 7 and earned his first black belt at the age of 12. As one of the most accomplished competitors in the school's history, he competed nationally in over 250 tournaments, winning over 200 medals and trophies in sparring forms and weapons. As a member of the World Martial Arts Championship Men's Team Black Belt Division, he won 4 years in a row (1995-1998)!
His explosive power and blinding speed have been marveled by many in the martial arts community. Breaking massive amounts of bricks is another specialty and he has recently produced a video series of instructional DVDs, demonstrating his amazing ability to break up to 16 bricks at one time.
While living in Los Angeles, Master Morrissette taught as an instructor at Jun Chong's Wilshire studio for 9 years and then became the lead instructor at Jun Chong's West L.A. studio, a position he held for an additional 16 years. He has been teaching Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido for the past 25 years. He ranks as one of the youngest Master instructors in the country, with 4th Degree Black Belts in both Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. Some of the many famous Hollywood stars and professional athletes he has personally trained include Heather Graham, David Allen Grier, Dennis Quaid, and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Contrary to his lightning-fast and explosively powerful fighting style, Master Morrissette exhibits a gentle respectful demeanor and is deeply committed to helping his students attain their goals. Young children respond well and learn quickly due to his patient approach as a teacher. Private lessons with Master Morrissette are much sought after due to his vast experience and training techniques.
Tae Kwon Do Times published an article about Master Morrissette in December 1983. The story reveals extraordinary events in his early years leading him to where he is today. It's a remarkable story!
Grandmaster Jun Chong
Born in Korea in 1944, Jun Chong began his Tae Kwon Do training at the age of 6. His family moved to Washington State several years later, and as a young black belt he began training in Hapkido with the legendary Master Sea Oh Choi.
At the age of 24, Grandmaster Chong opened his first martial arts school in Rosemead. Three years later, in 1972, he opened the Mid-Wilshire school. In 1978, Black Belt Magazine voted him "Instructor of the Year." Grandmaster Chong holds a 9th degree black belt in Hapkido, and an 8th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, as well as a 7th Degree Black Belt in Goju-Ryu and a 2nd degree Black Belt in Kendo. He trains in Ju-Jitsu, Aikido, Kendo, Boxing, Escrima and is an expert in the use of numerous weapons.
Grandmaster Chong has had many starring movie roles including "Ninja Turf", "Street Soldiers", "Silent Assassins" and "Maximum Cage Fighting". These roles have gained him worldwide popularity. Some of the famous students of Master Chong include: Phillip Rhee ("Best of the Best"), Simon Rhee, Jay Leno, Dr. Robert Rey (Dr. 90210), Lorenzo Lamas, Ian Thomas Griffith, and Sugar Ray Leonard.
The Jun Chong system is now taught in over 100 Do Jangs around the world thanks to the Instructional videos, Seminars, as well as the many Jun Chong black belts that have gone on to open studios of their own.
Master Chong is proud of his schools as well his international reputation as an instructor. His wife Ada and daughter Joanna are black belts, and their youngest children Kathy and Yong are eagerly following in their footsteps.
