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Owner / Grandmaster / Instructor

Ms. Lonnie Matthews

martial arts masters

My Story

Established in 2008, Mireu Martial Arts is owned and operated by 8th Dan Black Belt, Grandmaster Ms. Lonnie Matthews. With over 40 years of training experience and over 25 years of teaching experience in Taekwondo, Grandmaster Matthews provides an inclusive martial arts experience for people of all ages, sizes, and physical endurance.

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Grandmaster Ms. Lonnie was certified by the Kukkiwon as a Master Instructor.

She can process Kukkiwon certificates for black belts and instructors.

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Ms. Lonnie retired in the summer 2023 from her part time job as an employment specialist for the East Central Region Rent Assistance Program in Johnson and Linn County. She spent 41 years advocating and providing support for individuals in need and for people with disabilities. She now spends her time operating and teaching at the Mireu Martial Arts dojang while balancing time with her family of three sons and five beautiful grandchildren.

 

Grandmaster Ms. Lonnie Matthews Taekwondo Journey:

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  • Early Training: Began Taekwondo training at Jung's Taekwondo in Cedar Rapids on February 8, 1983.

  • Black Belt Attainment: Achieved Black Belt in Traditional ITF-International Taekwondo Association on October 12, 1985.

  • Transition to World Taekwondo: In a commitment to learning the World Taekwondo (WT), Kukkiwon standards, voluntarily demoted to White Belt on January 4, 2006.

  • Historic Power Breaking: Made history in August 2008 at the Competitor 2008 World Hanmadang Games in Anaheim, California, by breaking 2 granite slabs with a knife hand in the Men's Division.

  • Academy Ownership: Purchased Kang's Martial Arts Academy from Master Min Seok Kang in November 2008.

  • Power Board Breaking Record: Held the Battle of Iowa Power Board Breaking Record for women (8 one-inch thick boards, no spacers) from 2008 to the present.

  • National and International Recognition (2009):

    • Gold Medal Winner at the US Hanmadang Chicago (International/National 1st) in Knife Hand, fist, and turning kick.

    • Became a National Hanmadang Certified Referee, trained by Kukkiwon during their first classes/seminars in the US (USTC Events).

    • Completed Poomsae Seminar, Referee, and Kukkiwon Instructors Certification.

    • Awarded the Kukkiwon Commendation for Conduct and Contributions to the TaeKwonDo World by Jeolla Bukdo Province, recognizing her as an outstanding world leader in Taekwondo and inviting her to a special visit to Muju with an exclusive group of international Taekwondo leaders.

  • Professional Licensing and Coaching (2010):

    • Obtained Kukkiwon p-2 Assistant Instructor license, recognized as a Professional International License.

    • Served as an International Coach and Gold Medal Winner at the US Hanmadang Chicago, achieving 1st Place in Power Fist Breaking, 1st Place in Power Side Kick, and 3rd Place in Poomsae.

  • Continued Success at US Hanmadang Colorado (2011-2014): Consistently won Gold in Power Breaking, Knife Hand, and Side Kick events.

  • Advancement in Rank (2011-2013): Reached 4th Dan Black Belt from Master Kang in August 2011 and received her 3rd Dan Kukkiwon Certificate on June 20, 2012. Tested for and passed 4th Dan and 5th Dan Kukkiwon at the Kukkiwon Special Test in Chicago, IL, on October 6, 2013.

  • School Name Change (2012): Renamed the academy Mireu Martial Arts, with "Mireu" being the pure Korean word for Dragon. Pronounced “Meet Her” said quickly and confidently.

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Perseverance Through Adversity (2011-2014): Accomplishments during this period occurred between nine surgeries for cancer affecting her lungs, stomach, arm, and leg. Coordinated surgery dates to participate in events and diligently rebuilt physically and mentally afterward. The Mireu community provided crucial support in running the school.

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  • Expansion into Hapkido (2015): Began training in Hapkido under Grandmaster Yong-gul Son Black Eagle Heukchookwan (Current Rank - Brown High Belt).

  • Hall of Fame Inductions (2018): Inducted into Jung’s Taekwondo Hall of Fame and the Taekwondo Times Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year.

  • Leadership in Taekwondo Media (2018-Present): Became the Publication Director of Taekwondo Times International Magazine.​​

  • Further Black Belt Achievements: Achieved 6th Dan Black Belt with the World Black Belt Association at Jung’s Taekwondo Academy on April 13, 2019, and 8th Dan Black Belt on October 30, 2021.​​

  • Cover Feature: Featured on the cover of the July 2019 issue of Taekwondo Times International Magazine.

  • Continued Role with Taekwondo Times (2021): Served as Publications Director/Coordinator for the Taekwondo Times Hall of Fame.

  • International Master Recognition (2022): Received the 3rd Class International Masters License from Kukkiwon on November 16, 2022.

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  • November 2, 2023: Endometrial Cancer - Grade 2 diagnosis. Completed surgery and radiation. Used Taekwondo to build physical and mental strength.

  • December 2023: Hiked and camped at the bottom of the Grand Canyon for 4 days. Grandmaster says that the experience was harder than testing for her black belts. Her perseverance and indomitable spirit got her home and she is proud of this amazing accomplishment.

 

Grandmaster Ms. Lonnie Says: “To watch someone grow and develop physically and mentally under my guidance is worth more to me than to achieve myself. Through teaching, I am gaining a better understanding of both Taekwondo and of people. Taekwondo: [It’s a way of life] It is my passion and it has saved my life.”

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Grandmaster is also very passionate about women's self defense and likes to offer at least one seminar per year.

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