Coaching Champions
Jason Poos, a fifth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, has studied martial arts for twenty-two years. Not only is he is the owner of Poos Taekwondo in Edmond, Poos is also a National Team Coach for the sport. He has been the USA Taekwondo National Olympic Coach since 2002.
Poos explained that the National team is similar in scale and importance to the Olympic team. National events take place during the years when the Olympics are not held.
The US Olympic committee first took notice of Poos' expertise and made the coaching offer after several of his students (both male and female) won the National Champion honor. Since accepting the position, Poos has traveled to Turkey, Brazil, Belgium, Korea and Aruba to coach students in both the World Cup and Pan-American games.
"It is truly a great honor coaching and competing on the highest level for your country," he said.
The coach said the training process for international competitions and champions is, in a word, grueling. "They typically practice four hours each day and six days out of the week."
Poos also points out that training National Champions is no different than coaching any other student. The difference is with the student. "The level of commitment to practice and to excel is higher in those who shoot for greatness and hope to compete for, and to win a national or international medal," said Poos.
One of Poos former students and a second-degree black belt, Nicole Heningsen-Rutter now coaches Olympic-style, full-contact sparring in Omaha, Nebraska.
"It is rare to have a coach that has the fighting experience that Jason Poos has," she said. "Jason is a very inspiring person and he is willing to spend the time with you to help you reach your goals and your dreams. Jason truly is the best coach I have had."
Poos believes martial arts can instill a sense of discipline in a person. He used the trait to achieve his goals and dreams, one of which was opening his own "dojang" after graduating from college fifteen years ago.
He currently coaches about 200 students at a new 6,000 square foot facility with 4,000 square feet of training space. He teaches his students his own personal philosophy of martial arts-self-confidence and self-defense, tempered with humility in a fun, family atmosphere.
In fact, Poos enjoys sharing the sport with both of his parents. His father, Guy, a seventh-degree black belt in Taekwondo, began the business thirty-two years ago and has been involved in the sport for over forty years.
Poos said participating in the sport of Taekwondo benefits students on a personal level, not just a physical level. "Young people learn the self-confidence and the discipline to excel in all aspects of their lives."
The dojang offers beginner through advanced recreational Taekwondo and all levels of Olympic sport Taekwondo. Poos offered the following advice to potential students.
"They should come ready to have some fun and to get better mentally and physically through the sport and art of Taekwondo at one the longest running martial arts schools in the nation-Poos."
For more information, visit Poos Taekwondo at 745 Enterprise Drive, Suite 100 in Edmond or call (405) 340-5212. Poos is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays for special morning training sessions.
