Master Waleed SimBa has practiced and studied martial arts for over thirty eight years. With a diverse background as a police officer and detective, Master SimBa spent fifteen years patrolling the streets of Seattle, Washington. That is where he honed his skills in martial arts and street techniques. During his tenure as a law enforcement officer, Master SimBa worked as an undercover officer/detective in narcotics and anti-fencing units, as well as undercover with the Drug Enforcement Agency, Food and Drug Administration, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, other U.S. local agencies and Canadian law enforcement.
Master SimBa received many commendations before transferring to the Juvenile section to work all manner of cases committed by those
under the age of eighteen. Master SimBa realized and accepted a challenge to stop juvenile crime and give juveniles another option. He opened his first TaeKwonDo school in the Central Area of Seattle, which was infested with gang activity and the crimes that came along with it. Master SimBa took it as a personal challenge to reach these kids before their lives were ruined by gang violence, sexual ir-responsibility and lack of family. In short time the school became a part of the community and the diversity of Seattle was represented by student enrollment. Crime decreased in the area, a former gang member became a state champion and was singled out by his public school teacher as a student who was changed by martial arts training.
Since his first school opened in Seattle in 1995, Master SimBa has opened and successfully operated two dojangs in Mexico and now has come to the desert city of Palm Desert, California. Master Simba spent much of the time during 2000 and 2005 living and training in Asia while serving as a merchant marine for the Military Sealift Command, Department of Defense.
SimBa's TaeKwondo is not a babysitting service! We work with parents to guide children towards the path of confidence and self-reliance. Master has earned his 5th degree black belt in the World TaeKwonDo Federation in Korea and his 1st degree black belt in the Korea Hapkido Federation. He has produced black belts in the U.S. and Mexico. Master SimBa teaches all classes at his school and is adamant about the fundamentals of the arts.
Martial arts training is training for LIFE! "Moo Do" means the "right road".
Instructor Michael J. DiBona, 3rd Degree Black Belt
Originally from Hayward, CA., Mr. DiBona started TaeKwonDo in 1995 under Master Peter J. Salas. Mr. DiBona is currently in the United States Marine Corps stationed at Twentynine Palms, CA . In the course of the 14 years of studying the art, Mr. DiBona has participated in numerous tournaments and was a member of Team-M: TaeKwonDo demonstration team based in San Jose, CA. Upon being promoted to 2nd Dan, Mr. DiBona started teaching and training full time 6 days a week. Mr. DiBona's love of TaeKwonDo continued to grow and with his commitment, he soon achieved the rank of 3rd dan.
" At that point I decided my skill could only grow, as a result i decided to start training more. This lead to me practicing twice a day. To date i have assisted in training 25 students to the rank of 1st dan black belt and two others to the rank of 2nd dan. When I teach I don't focus on any one aspect of the art. I think its important to be proficient in the basic fundamentals of TaeKwonDo. It's my goal make the classes professional and I dont waste time. If the student gives 100% then i, in return, will give 100% back. I am currently training to acheive my 4th Dan and to continue to progress and improve in the art of TaeKwonDo."
