WMA’s Founders

(John) Roger Cavanaugh, 8th Degree Black Belt

Bachelor’s Degree, cum laude, University of Louisville, 1978.

42 years’ experience in Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu, & Tai Chi

Former National ACTA Tournament Champion

 

Past Positions include:

  • Maryland AAU Association Vice President
  • Taekwondo Chairman for Maryland  AAU Association
  • AAU Taekwondo Regional Director
  • AAU Taekwondo National Executive Committee member
  • AAU Taekwondo National Convention  Committee Delegate
  • AAU Taekwondo AA-Level National Referee/Official

Recognitions:

  • Recipient of the AAU Taekwondo “David Rivenes” award 1996.
  • Recipient of the AAU President’s National Leadership Award for outstanding service 1997
  • Recipient of the International Martial Arts Association Martial Arts School of the Year award for 1997
  • Recipient of the Maryland AAU outstanding Volunteer of the Year for 1998

Master Cavanaugh (a.k.a.: “Mr. C.”) began his Martial Arts Training in February, 1977, at the University of Louisville.The American Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo Association (ACTA) began a University club that and Master Cavanaugh was a charter member.  Master  Cavanaugh received his Black Belt in August, 1979, from Grand Master In Mook Kim, founder of the ACTA.  Shortly thereafter, he moved to the Washington, D.C., area.

Upon relocation, Master  Cavanaugh, not finding a Taekwondo school in his neighborhood, began studying another Korean Martial Art call Tang Soo Do and, in 1982, received his Midnight Blue Belt (the equivalent of a Black Belt in Taekwondo) from The United States Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation; U.S. affiliate to the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association, Grand Master Hwang Ki.

Master  Cavanaugh also had the opportunity to study the Chinese Art of Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu and received a Black Sash in 1986 from Si-Gung Michael Barry. He also was certified in Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan in that same year.

In 1987, Master  Cavanaugh decided to continue his training in Taekwondo directly under Grand Master In Mook Kim as well as begin teaching.  Along with his wife, Debbie Cavanaugh, he established the Waldorf Taekwondo Academy.  Today, the academy’s name is Waldorf  Martial Arts.

Deborah J. Cavanaugh, 8th Degree Black Belt

Graduate of Prince Georges College

45 years’ experience in Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan & Shuto Kahn Karate

ACTA National Tournament Champion

 

Past Positions include:

  • AAU Taekwondo Regional Secretary-Treasurer.
  • AAU Taekwondo National Convention Committee Delegate

Recognitions:

  • Recipient of the International Martial Arts Association Martial Arts School of the Year award for 1997

Master Cavanaugh (a.k.a.: “Mrs. C.”) began her Martial Arts training in July 1974 at Prince Georges Community College, Largo, Maryland. The style was Okinawan Shuto Kahn Karate. Master Cavanaugh also received instruction in Hap Ki Do and Ju Jit Su while studying Shuto Kahn.

In 1981, Master Cavanaugh began study in Tang Soo Do, Moo Duk Kwan, and, in 1984, received her Black Belt from the United States Tang Soo Do, Moo Duk Kwan Federation, Grand Master Hwang Ki, founder of Tang Soo Do. It was during this time that Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh met and were married.

In 1984, Master Cavanaugh, along with her husband, began study in Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan.  Master Cavanaugh resumed her training in Taekwondo in 1987 at the Cavanaugh’s newly formed Club.

Today, Master Cavanaugh continues teaching Taekwondo at Waldorf Martial Arts along with her husband and daughter.