About the Instructor
The Unified Taekwon-Do Gold Fist School is under the leadership and instruction of 7th Degree Black Belt Master Instructor Dwayne McKinney. Grand Master McKinney brings over 20 years of martial arts experience to his school and the greater Rochester area.
Coming from a family of martial artists, Dwayne McKinney began his arts career under the instruction of Grand Master Bukwang Park, co-founder of the Unified Taekwon-Do Federation. After an extensive career in the tournament circuit, this six-time Western New York State Grand Champion decided to take his career to another level by giving some of his time and experience back to the youth of Rochester. Master McKinney implemented and instructed a Taekwon-Do program at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester from 1992-1994, at which time he opened his own school in the 19th Ward. In October 1996, Grand Master McKinney moved the Unified Taekwon-Do Gold Fist School to its present location at 202 Scottsville Road.
In 1999 during preparation of there wedding, Mr. & Mrs. McKinney were featured on the National Cable Program ‘The Wedding Story’. A television crew followed the couple and wedding party over a period of two weeks, leading up to their wedding day. The episode is often repeated on the show.
The Gold Fist Taekwon-Do School
Unified Taekwon-Do Gold Fist School offers quality martial arts, self-defense, and cardio kickboxing programs to men, women, and children of all ages. The school’s philosophy emphasizes good health, physical and mental conditioning and awareness, and the development of indomitable character, self-confidence and values.
Class Structure
The classes are structured to provide students with 15-20 minutes of warm-up exercises. This is to ensure that students are relaxed, well stretched, and aids in the strengthening of the muscles. After warm-up, students are divided into belt levels to practice patterns, or Korean forms, which assist students with stances, blocks, punches, focusing, concentration and speed.
Self-defense is also a part of the Unified Taekwon-Do class structure. Hand releases, kicking drills, and block attacks teach the students how to protect themselves and/or flee to safety in dangerous or unexpected situations.
Taekwon-Do . . . More Than An Art
Recently introduced to the western world, Taekwon-Do has been for centuries an integral part of Korean society. Translated literally, Taekwon-Do means “The art of hand and foot fighting.” Though it is a martial art, its discipline, techniques, and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of self-esteem, justice, fortitude, and values.
New students are always welcome, so call or stop by today to ask about our program specials. Your mind and body will thank you!
About Us
Unified Taekwon-Do Gold Fist School offers quality martial arts, self-defense, and fitness programs to men, women, and children of all ages, and emphasizes a philosophy of good health, physical and mental conditioning and awareness, and the belief that martial arts can develop indomitable character, self-confidence and values.
The Taekwon-do classes are structured to provide students with 15-20 minutes of warm-up exercises. Following warm-up, students are divided into belt levels to begin work with patterns, or Korean forms (tuls). Patterns assist students with stances, blocks, punches, focusing, concentration and speed. Self-defense and point sparring are also part of the Unified Taekwon-Do curriculum. Hand releases, block attacks, and various kicking techniques teach the students how to protect themselves and/or flee to safety in dangerous or unexpected situations.