Hard Work Wins the Fight

What do Joe Louis, Michael “Lord of the Dance” Flatley, former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan and two local boys have in common?

Still guessing? All of them have at one time been the Chicago Golden Glove Charities amateur boxing champions. The charity believes “that training in boxing instills a sense of self-respect and accomplishment in the youth of our community who, at this impressionable age, are choosing their path in life.” This competition is held every April and this year was at Gordon Tech High School in Chicago.

Tommy Pyle from Seong Heas Martial Arts in Buffalo Grove has trained both Dan Gluzmann, a senior, and Nick Grunyk, a Notre Dame High School junior, to be champions. Tommy says that these two boys truly have dedicated themselves to the sport and have put in the necessary time and effort required to succeed. 

This studio provides Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing, boxing, personal training and has been successfully in business for 12 years. Tommy says, “I teach the old fashioned way, where students earn belts. Belts are not given until each student earns them by maturity and hard work. I teach my students how to work hard and be true to themselves. Many students come back to me after college to thank me for teaching them the value of hard work.”

Wait, what? He doesn’t give a rainbow belt for participation? I like his "old fashioned" teaching ways already! 

Originally from Korea, Tommy was adopted into a family in Colorado and then settled in Long Grove. After working at a different studio teaching children and adults the art of Tae Kwon Do, he was certain that Buffalo Grove was the perfect setting to open his own martial arts studio.

An accomplished boxer himself, Tommy has not only boxed professionally, but is also a seven-time World Champion kick boxer and has a fifth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

He has trained Dan and Nick to fight the fight in the ring and win this amazing title, however he’s also given them much more. He’s given them the gift of self-achievement. A place where you dedicate your mind, your body and your beliefs that anything is possible.  

As always, email me with any news, topics or ideas that you want to read about. Remember, I’d like to be the first to know! I can be reached at laurenbgpatch@aol.com.