My name is Tessa Gordon. I am from Toronto, Canada and I hold a 5th degree black belt in the Korean Art of Tae Kwon Do.

At the age of seven I began training at home with my stepfather in basic kicking and punching techniques. Later that year as my progress and enjoyment of the art became evident I enrolled in the Jong Park Institute of Tae Kwon Do.

At such a young age I found the discipline required for traditional training very demanding both emotionally and physically. However, with the encouragement of my parents I continued training.

As I advanced in rank, I began to fall in love with the art. At that time I could not have known that the study of Tae Kwon Do would become my way of life.

I received my black belt at age 12 and by age 13, and for the next 3 years, I was rated Canada's number one female point fighter in open competition where all martial arts are represented. In 1985 Canadian women were chosen to compete in the World Championships for the first time. I was among the first selected. I competed as a member of the Canadian National Team from 1985-1987. During this period I received a Bronze Medal at the 1985 World Championships, a Gold Medal at the 1986 Pan American Games, and a Bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships. My most valued experience was competing in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul Korea. Later that same year I won a Silver medal at The Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. My students and I compete in Tournaments across The United States.

>1 hope that I will have the opportunity to share with you what I have shared with my students in the past years, my love and devotion to The Art of Tae Kwon Do.