Satnam Kaur - 3rd Dan Head Coach - NAMISEOM TKD

North London to Kukkiwon HQ, South Korea to NAMISEOM 2026
Leading From The Front

남이섬전통

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December 1998, every day felt like a mental struggle; just surviving the day was an achievement, a blessing. My closest friend; Guardian Angel said, “why don’t you give it a go Satnam; the Taekwondo Club has a Female World Champion Instructor!” I was curious about this Champion, so relying on his selfless offer of support, I joined a class at Europa Taekwondo in Tottenham without seeing or knowing what Taekwondo was all about. I had no clue what to expect. Twenty-eight years later I am still training; now coaching, mentoring; still enjoying every aspect of this beautiful Art.

Growing up in extremely tough houses, located in challenging neighborhoods across London; my very first Taekwondo lesson instantly lifted me; it became a way of life for ME. That evening I stepped into the sacred Dojang; my Master became every possible role model I could have imagined and needed in this life. A gift, a blessing from the Universe; the stars had aligned ever so beautifully; how could I not take advantage of such an opportunity, it was truly more than I could have asked for.

Master Tessa believed in my potential quickly, she encouraged my training; taught me to grow my abilities and connect with my inner-spirit. With such an exceptional Master; I received the most special gift that is closest to my heart: ‘Traditional WTF Taekwondo’. This Indigenous Korean Martial Art offered me a set of core values; principles; standards; a highly disciplined non-chaotic and well-structured environment I could thrive in; embrace and turn into a career. This is it! Here I am feeling extremely proud of this life commitment; this dream I finally made happen. 

I was encouraged to teach as soon as I hit that blue belt grade, but truthfully, little did I know that I would be teaching; taking a few classes and joining the strong all-male coaching team for an incompariable Martial Artist and Female World Champion, Master Tessa! I think I overlooked the meaning of this, maybe took it for granted at that time, but now when I look back, and think about it…WOW, that was the highest honour of all in my twenty-eight years of training, surviving life’s circumstances through the great gift of Taekwondo. 

I feel very privileged to have trained alongside Europa’s Team, where phenomenal talent and selfless Masters were always happy to assist. I feel very fortunate to have trained with the best of the best on this journey, and have met the best of the best as you will see from my photo gallery; the little girl who never said a word, never spoke up, now has the confidence to say ‘can I have a selfie, please! 

Since 1998, it was my dream to visit South Korea, and Kukkiwon (WTF Head-Quarters). Twenty-eight years I dreamt about this day and then it became my reality; it was the most powerful, moving, monumental time in my life. Arriving in the Motherland of Taekwondo was the best feeling ever. Once again, the stars had aligned, I felt at home, I made this happen, a feeling of ‘oneness’ with an Art that I love left me feeling completely fulfilled. Little did I know I was destined to meet Lee Dung-sup, President of Kukkiwon! I still pinch myself, view Blogs & Stories . I also met myself there, looking inwards at the best version of me; what I had become, my dedication integrated this lifetime of Taekwondo training; an emotional self-realisation that I’m committed to Taekwondo for the rest of my life.

NAMISEOM 남이섬 – I discovered my Club’s name in South Korea. Nami Island. Nami 남이 translates to ‘an island in the front’. It was named after the famous and heroic General Nami, who always led from the front; settled there and the island was subsequently named after him.

Here and Now: Wearing my Dobok and training is an absolute privilege at Marton Stars Taekwondo Academy, North-West London. My life is centered and set up to keep Taekwondo by my side, always. I have treated Taekwondo as my lifelong partner, my saviour, my rock, my everything who I cannot live without. People train for all sorts of reasons which makes it a totally unique Art. Taekwondo blessed me with a lifeline, a path in which I could channel my emotions, my energy to achieve positive outcomes; living my best life is my way of life through my attitude and dedication towards training.  

My mission and pledge has not shifted since the very start of my coaching journey, and now I have the opportunity to take it to new heights; the NAMISEOM level; where we ‘Lead from the Front’. My main goal is to give back; contribute through a new dimension, one that I have created for myself within this Global Taekwondo family. And this is why I am Satnam_Warrior Kaur. 

Thank you for reading my story.