What is Black Belt World (taekwondo.ca)?

Updated

Black Belt World is a Taekwondo and martial arts academy based in Ontario, Canada, operating under the domain taekwondo.ca. It describes itself as an authentic Korean martial arts school with 51 years of establishment, five locations across Ontario, and classes seven days per week. Its programs are grouped by age: Tiny Tigers (ages 3–5), Children (ages 6–12), and Teens & Adults (ages 13+). The school also states that it specializes in developing Olympic-level athletes and stunt performers for the film industry.

Where Black Belt World operates

The academy's headquarters is in Toronto, and it lists five locations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):

  • Burlington/Oakville
  • Kitchener
  • Mississauga
  • Vaughan (Woodbridge)
  • Toronto

According to the site, classes run seven days per week across these locations.

Who it's for

Programs are organized by age group rather than by belt level on the homepage:

Group Ages
Tiny Tigers 3–5
Children 6–12
Teens & Adults 13+

This structure suggests the school serves both young beginners and older students, including adults starting martial arts for the first time.

What makes it distinctive

Two things stand out in the school's own description:

Olympic and film focus. Black Belt World says it specializes in developing Olympic-level athletes as well as stuntmen and women for Hollywood blockbuster films. That is a narrower positioning than a typical community Taekwondo club.

Leadership credentials. Founder Grandmaster Tommy Chang is described as an 8th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido and an 8th Degree Kukkiwon Taekwondo certified Master. He was formerly Vice President of Sport for the World Taewondo Federation of Canada (Taekwondo Canada) and Head of Team Canada, and past 1st VP of the Ontario Taekwondo Association (Taekwondo Ontario).

Instructor and safety certifications

The site states that:

  • All staff are certified through the Canadian Center for Child Protection and have completed First Aid and CPR training.
  • Instructors are certified and recognized through World Taekwondo, Kukkiwon, Pan-Am Taekwondo Union, Taekwondo Canada, and/or Taekwondo Ontario.
  • The school is one of the first martial arts schools in Canada to participate in the Safe Place Program through the Peel Regional Police.
  • It was chosen as the pilot school in Canada for the Talk Today program by Taekwondo Canada and Taekwondo Ontario, which focuses on mental health awareness in the Taekwondo community.

Practical notes before you sign up

  • Trial availability: The site references a "free trial," so it's worth asking about trial terms when you contact a location.
  • Pricing: No prices or payment details are published on the page reviewed here, so costs need to be confirmed directly with the school.
  • Location choice: With five GTA locations, the closest branch to your home or work is likely the deciding factor, since the program structure appears consistent across sites.

If you're looking for a Taekwondo school in the GTA with competitive and performance pathways rather than purely recreational classes, Black Belt World is positioned for that. If you want a low-commitment recreational program, it's still worth asking each location how its classes are split between competitive and general students.