Mr. Ulysses G. Marcelino

• 5th Dan Black Belt
• Master Instructor
• WTF International Referee (Kyoroogi and Poomsae)
• USAT Certified Coach
• Silver Medalist, 12th World Taekwondo Championships
  
  Mr. Ulysses Marcelino started Taekwondo in 1982. He joined the Taekwondo clug in Lourdes School of Quezon City in the Philippines. He enrolled in Taekwondo to protect himself from the bullies in school. His instructor was Dr. Noli Gabriel. The LSQC Taekwondo Club held practice sessions in the drafting room which had concrete floors. 
  
  In 1989, he joined the Carlos Palanca, Jr. Memorial Taekwondo Championships, the National Team Trials. He finished third and did not make it to the national team. In 1990, he tried again and qualified for the national team selection by winning the silver medal. He gained the middleweight spot in the Philippine National Team by beating his opponent. From 1990 to 1997, he held the middleweight division title. He retired in August 1997 and moved to the United States.

Mrs. Catherine D. Marcelino

• 5th Dan Black Belt
• Master Instructor
• WTF International Referee (Kyoroogi and Poomsae)
• USAT Certified Coach and Referee
• B.S. Math, Major in Actuarial Science, De La Salle University, Manila
• Bronze Medalist, 10th Asian Taekwondo Championships
• Silver Medalist, Southeast Asian Taekwondo Championships
• Three-time Southeast Asian Bronze Medalist

Mrs. Catherine Marcelino comes from a family of Taekwondoins. Her uncle, Jamie Martin, was a member of the first Philippine National Taekwondo Team and was a bronze medalist in the 1st Asian Taekwondo Championships in 1974. Ten years after, her brother, Arnold Baradi, won the gold medal in the 6th Asian Taekwondo Championships. Her two sisters, Diana and Eva Ditan, were both members of the national team.

Mrs. Marcelino started Taekwondo in 1985 at the Las Pinas Taekwondo Gym, a school owned by her family. Her instructor was her brother Arnold. Prior to joining Taekwondo, she enjoyed watching the children practice at their gym and often imitated their movements. She was too shy to join the class at that time. She decided to formally begin Taekwondo after her brother won the gold medal in the Asian Championships.

She became a member of the Philippine National Team in 1990 after winning the national team selection. Her sisters joined her a year later. While in the national team, she spent an hour each way traveling to and from practice every day. When traffic was bad, her travel time increased to two hours. At that time, she was also attending college at De La Salle University. After getting home at about 10 PM, she would still do her school work and prepare for the next day. The morning workout sessions started at 6 AM so she had to get up at 4:30. In spite of her difficult schedule, Mrs. Marcelino almost never missed a day of practice. She was the flyweight national champion until her retirement in 1998.

Ms. Eva M. Ditan

• 4th Dan Black Belt
• Master Instructor
• Kyoroogi Team Head Coach
• USAT Certified Coach
• B.S. Physical Education, Major in Sports and Recreation Management, De La Salle University, Manila
• Olympian (2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia)
• Silver Medalist, World Cup Taekwondo Championships
• Two-time Bronze Medalist, World Cup Taekwondo Championships
• Silver Medalist, Asian Qualifying Tournament for the 2000 Olympic Games
• Gold Medalist, Southeast Asian Taekwondo Championships
• Two-time Silver Medalist, Southeast Asian Games
• Two-time Bronze Medalist, Southeast Asian Games
• Bronze Medalist, Asian Taekwondo Championships
• Served as Team Captain of the Philippine Taekwondo Team
• Team Member, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th World Taekwondo Championships
• Team Member, 2000 World Cup Taekwondo Championships
• Team Member, 13th and 14th Asian Games
• Team Member, World Qualifying Tournament for the 2000 Olympic Games
• Team Member, 13th, 14th, 15th Asian Taekwondo Championships

Mr. Herbert Hemenover

• 2nd Dan Black Belt
• Senior Instructor
• USAT Certified Referee
• Captain, Team Excel Referee Corps
• Dean's List and Honor Awardee, West L.A. College

It has always been a dream of Mr. Hemenover to be a martial artist. At an early age, he used to mimic the likes of Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee. He knew then that martial arts would give him the discipline that he lacked and confidence that he needed to succeed. What interested him about Taekwondo is watching Chuck Norris and wanting to do the same art that he did. Finally when he was 24, he made it his new year’s resolution to do what he has always wanted to do and joined Excel Taekwondo.

He has gained so much during his time in Taekwondo both physically and mentally. He has gained the discipline and confidence that he has always needed as part of his life. Taekwondo has given him the focus and determination to allow him to do whatever he puts his mind to. It has also shown him that when times are tough, if he stays on path and stays positive, that things will turn around for the better.

After seeing what Taekwondo has given him, he wanted to pass it on to other people. This is why he started teaching Taekwondo. He knows that the more he learns as a student in Taekwondo, the more that he can pass on to our students. Taekwondo has become a life style for him and he hopes that he has been able to give that passion to our students and hope that they pass it along to the next generation as well.

Mr. Michael Samson

• 2nd Dan Black Belt
• Senior Instructor
• Member, Team Excel Referee Corps
• B. A.  Integrated Studies, Ateneo de Manila University
• Master of Business Administration, University of the Philippines

Mr. Mike Samson enjoyed contact sports in school. He joined a karate club when he was 10 years old because that was the only martial art available at his school at that time. He joined the Ateneo Taekwondo team at the age of 18 after watching a 15-minute self defense presentation at his university. After which he reaped the benefits of camaraderie, physical work out and self confidence. Benefits and traits he continues to enjoy until today. He teaches because he wants his students to experience the same benefits that he got from taekwondo. Also he believes that this is one of the best ways he can give back to the sport and martial art that has been very good to him.

Mr. Corey Veenstra

• 2nd Dan Black Belt
• Instructor I
• Member, Team Excel Demo Team

Mr. Corey Veenstra joined taekwondo when he was twelve years old. His mother signed him up because she thought it would be a fun way to get exercise. Initially he was shy and somewhat apprehensive, but over the years, that same quiet kid has become a much more confident and mature person. After being enrolled for just over three years he tested for and earned his black belt. It is at this point that some people would quit, but a love for the martial art has kept him going, and he continues to train and work towards increasing his rank. It is that same passion for the martial art that has pushed him to share his love for taekwondo with others by becoming an instructor. Teaching has served to bolster his confidence even further, and has given him yet another reason to continue doing what he loves.

Mr. Jack Veenstra

• 2nd Dan Black Belt
• Instructor II
• Member, Team Excel Demo Team

Mr. Jack Veenstra started Taekwondo at age nine as a way to get in shape and learn self defense skills. Within the first months of training he found that he enjoyed the continued challenge of learning new techniques and the competitive, but courteous, environment that only comes from a martial art. With these elements motivating him, Mr. Veenstra went on to achieve his black belt after three years of training. Through his training he grew stronger and gained a strong mentality of discipline and self confidence. With this new confidence he began to compete against other athletes and learned to demonstrate advanced techniques in front of large crowds.

After two more years Jack earned his 2nd degree black belt. It was soon after that he began to teach and pass on his knowledge to others and offer them the same benefits that he was given.

Ms. Arielle Kiarashpour

• 2nd Dan Black Belt
• Instructor I
• Member, Team Excel Referee Corps
• Junior, Calabasas High School

Ms. Arielle Kiarashpour enrolled in Excel Taekwondo at the age of  nine. She fell in love with martial arts at the age of six by watching her older brother in his karate classes. She wanted to attend Excel after meeting with the instructors. Within the years of attending taekwondo classes, Ms.Kiarashpour has achieved the motivation and determination to reach her goal and test for her black belt. At the age of fourteen, she has tested and received her black belt after four years.With the mentality to learn more and the love of the sport, she continued on to build up her rank and test for her 2nd Dan.

The love of working with children during the apprenticeship for the Black Belt Promotion Test brought up the want to teach Taekwondo, and have them learn the lessons that has benefitted Ms.Kiarashpour as well. Taekwondo helps as a confidence booster, manners, respect, friendship and inspiration to continue on with a life-long goal. Refereeing is the next goal to becoming a well-rounded taekwondo practitioner and martial artist.

Mr. Daniel Weiner

• 2nd Dan Black Belt
• Instructor II
• USAT Certified Referee
• Vice Captain, Team Excel Referee Corps
• 2nd Year, B.S. Computer Science, CSU Northridge

Mr. Daniel Weiner started Taekwondo eight years ago and it has been an amazing experience for him. Prior to joining Taekwondo, he had a major self-confidence problem. He was the kind of kid who just wanted to fit in, and go unnoticed; but it was his grandma who suggested he learn martial arts. There were several options available, but one of his close friends was currently a purple belt at Excel and brought Mr. Weiner in to watch one of the classes; that class was a Team Excel training. It took about a month to work through some fear but after a lot of long talks he was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Marcelino and signed up shortly after.

He was eleven at the time and before Taekwondo had actively played baseball and soccer; this sport was completely different for him. Over the years, Taekwondo has helped shape who he is, and what he has become. Years later, as one of the senior Black Belts, and as an Instructor, he tries to stand out and be the best example he can be.

A quote he'll always remember from his father: "a person's experiences early in life, shape the type of person they will become in the future." Thanks to the people and relationships formed over the years with Excel and its' family, he has grown up to be someone his parents and those who know him can be proud of.

Mr. Vincent Friera

• 1st Dan Black Belt
• Instructor II
• Member, Team Excel Referee Corps
• Senior, Taft High School

Mr. Vincent Friera started when he was just twelve years old. He always knew that he wanted to do a martial art, but did not have the means. The day he was introduced to Taekwondo everything changed. He’s gone from a small child with little self-confidence to a confident young man. If it weren’t for the discipline that the martial art brought this may have never happened. 

As he stayed at Excel he continued to grow: learning new techniques, gaining confidence, and respect. After almost four years of learning and perseverance he tested for his 1st Dan Black Belt. He decided to stay and teach because he knew that he wanted to give back, he wanted to help someone that used to be like he was: short, insecure, and quiet. He wanted to make sure that everyone got the opportunity to learn taekwondo and allow it to change their lives.