Blue Dragon Taekwondo Academy
Blue Dragon Taekwondo Academy is a family-owned business that has been a part of Milpitas since 1996. Back then, it was named Thanh Long Martial Arts Academy. Thanh Long means “Blue Dragon” in Vietnamese. The school’s name was chosen by its founder, Grand Master Chinh Nguyen, taken after his family’s business in Vietnam with the same namesake, and the logo was inspired from the South Vietnamese Air Force, in which he proudly served. In Vietnamese and Korean cultures, dragons are thought of as bringers of rainfall — providing life, growth, existence, and prosperity. The color blue is often associated with the ocean or the sky, commonly symbolizing serenity, stability, inspiration, and wisdom. Indeed, this martial arts school has evolved as a source of stability, inspiration, and wisdom for countless students that have trained under the Blue Dragon mantle.
Current GM Thac Nguyen is a member of the AAU Taekwondo National Executive Committee, Director of the AAU Taekwondo Pacific District, Regional Director of the AAU Taekwondo California and Nevada States, and Director of the AAU Sport Poomsae National Coaching Team. He recently received his 9th Degree Black Belt by the World Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Federation when he visited S. Korea in November 2019.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Dragon has had to pivot on how to do taekwondo training. Students have been able to continue to train online and set goals for themselves — they are given fun physical challenges for prizes and recognition, opportunities to rank up in virtual belt tests, and compete in virtual tournaments.
In early September, Blue Dragon received a permit from the City of Milpitas for outdoor training. The staff set up tents, tarps, mats and barricades to allow students to practice safely in-person with social distancing, masks and sanitizing procedures. Then, in mid-september, students were allowed to practice indoors again with limited capacity and implemented safety measures.
The next big goal for Blue Dragon students will be the AAU Nationals, which will be hosted virtually on October 24 and 25. Blue Dragon will be one of a few host sites internationally where students from the area can come to the school to compete in-person if they choose to, or they can compete from home. COVID-19 safety measures will be implemented at the school as the top priority.
The students are eagerly taking up the challenge and showing their Blue Dragon spirit!
“My daughters have been going to Blue Dragon for a few years now, and Blue Dragon has been doing a great job even during the whole pandemic situation. Even though the COVID-19 situation has restricted the way the students attend practice, Blue Dragon has done a great job. Congratulations to Grandmaster Nguyen and Blue Dragon TKO for continuing to keep up the Spirit of Taekwondo thriving even during these trying times. “- Praveena S.
Blue Dragon Taekwondo Academy Inc. 1485 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas (408) 946-1888 bluedragonacademy.com
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