The“Eagle Park Taekwondo México Central Dojang,”one of the cornerstones of taekwondo in Mexico, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1976, this dojang has played a key role in passing on the spirit of Korean taekwondo as a philosophy of life, not merely as a martial art.
The dojang was established under the influence of the late Grand Master Hee Deok “Eagle” Park, who instilled the traditional values of taekwondo in Mexico. Today, that legacy continues under the leadership of Grand Master Sergio Chávez Moreno, 9th Dan, who became the first Mexican to attain the highest rank certified by the Kukkiwon.
Chávez Moreno has an impressive international resume: he is a First-Class International Master, an official Kukkiwon examiner, an international Kukkiwon Hanmadang referee, a member of the Kukkiwon International Advisory Committee, and a World Taekwondo Class S international referee. In addition, he serves as an international advisor to Kukkiwon, actively contributing to the globalization of taekwondo.
Since its inception, Eagle Park Central Dojang has maintained strong ties with Korea. In 1981, Sergio Chávez visited the Korean Folk Village to immerse himself in the traditional essence of the martial art. In 1983, he served as a referee at the 7th World Taekwondo Championships in Seoul and at the 6th World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. That same year, a Korean demonstration team led by Grand Master Lee Kyu Hyung visited Querétaro and held an exhibition at the central dojang, strengthening the ties between the two countries.
Over the decades, Chávez has exchanged experiences with historic figures in taekwondo, such as Grand Master Hong Chong Soo, vice president of Kukkiwon and leader of Moo Duk Kwan, and has attended significant events such as the 50th anniversary of Moo Duk Kwan in Seoul.
The Korean article emphasizes that the dojang's 50th anniversary represents not just the passage of time, but
“a process that demonstrates how the spirit and philosophy of taekwondo are passed down and spread throughout the world.”
Although taekwondo originated in Korea, today it “belongs to the world,” and at its heart are people like Sergio Chávez, who have dedicated their lives to preserving and passing it on.
The Eagle Park Taekwondo Mexico Central Dojang has established itself as a symbolic venue that has helped taekwondo take deep root in Mexico, training generations of practitioners and serving as a cultural bridge between Mexico and Korea.
