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Owner / Grandmaster / Instructor

Ms. Lonnie Matthews

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:

  • February 8, 1983: Started Taekwondo training at Jung’s Taekwondo in Cedar Rapids.

  • October 12, 1985: Obtained her Black Belt in Traditional ITF- International Taekwondo Association.

  • June 18, 1994: Reached 4th Dan Black Belt

  • 2004: Diagnosed with a rare cancer, Leiomyosarcoma. Started training under Master Min-Seok Kang, operating under Grandmaster Young Chin Pak’s guidance at Kang’s Martial Arts.

  • January 4, 2006: Demoted herself down to White Belt to learn the World Taekwondo (WT), Kukkiwon standards of Taekwondo.

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

  • November 2008: Purchased Kang’s Martial Arts Academy from Master Min Seok Kang

  • 2008 - present: Hold the Battle of Iowa Power Board Breaking Record for women - 8 boards, 1 inch thick, with no spacers.

  • 2009:International / National 1st in the US Hanmadang Chicago - Gold Medal Winner - Knife Hand, fist and turning kick.

  • 2009: National Hanmadang Certified Referee. USTC Events; trained by Kukkiwon which was the first ever classes / seminars offered in the US.

  • 2009: Poomsae Seminar, Referee, Kukkiwon Instructors Certification.

  • 2009: Awarded Kukkiwon Commendation for Conduct and Contributions to the TaeKwonDo World Invitation from Jeolla Bukdo Province. Recognized and identified as an outstanding world leader in Taekwondo. Part of an exclusive group of Taekwondo leaders from around the world invited to a special visit to Muju.

  • 2010: Obtained Kukkiwon p-2 Assistant Instructor license. Recognized as a Professional International License.

  • 2010: International Coach and Gold Medal Winner US Hanmadang Chicago - 1st Place Power Fist Breaking, 1st Place Power Side Kick, and 3rd Place Poomsae.

  • 2011: Gold Winner US Hanmadang Colorado - Power Breaking, Knife Hand, and Side Kick.

  • August 2011: Reached 4th Dan Black Belt from Master Kang.

  • 2012: Changed the School Name to Mireu Martial Arts. Mireu is the hungul pure Korean name for Dragon.

  • June 20, 2012: Received her 3rd Dan Kukkiwon Certificate.

  • 2012: Gold Winner US Hanmadang Colorado - Power Breaking, Knife Hand, and Side Kick.

  • 2013: Gold Winner US Hanmadang Colorado - Power Breaking, Knife Hand, and Side Kick.

  • October 6, 2013: Tested 4th Dan and 5th Dan Kukkiwon at the Kukkiwon Special Test in the USA - Chicago, IL.

  • 2014: Gold Winner US Hanmadang Colorado - Power Breaking, Knife Hand, and Side Kick.

 

Many of the accomplishments that happened between 2011 - 2014 were between surgeries for cancer. Ms. Matthews coordinated surgery dates to be able to participate in events. After each surgery she trained diligently and built herself back up physically and mentally. She endured 9 surgeries to the lungs, stomach, arm, and leg. Her strong Mireu community of parents and instructors stepped in to help keep the school running.

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  • 2015: Started training under Grandmaster Yong-gul Son Black Eagle Heukchookwan Hapkido [Current Rank - Brown High Belt]

  • 2018: Inducted into Jung’s Taekwondo Hall of Fame

  • 2018: Inducted into Taekwondo Times Hall of Fame Instructor of the Year

  • 2018: Publication Director of Taekwondo Times International Magazine.

  • April 13, 2019: 6th Dan Black Belt Achievement World Black Belt Association - Jung’s Taekwondo Academy

  • July 2019: Cover Feature of Taekwondo Times International Magazine.

  • 2021: Taekwondo Times Hall of Fame - Publications Director / Coordinator

  • October 30, 2021: 8th Dan Black Belt Achievement World Black Belt Association - Jung’s Taekwondo Academy

  • November 16, 2022: Received 3rd Class International Masters License Kukkiwon

  • 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. See our EVENTS page for more details.

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