OUR INSTRUCTORS

Founder of Shim's Martial Arts Academy

The Venerable Grand Master Shim holds a 9th degree black belt in Taekwondo. Grand Master Shim is the spirit of Shim’s Martial Arts Academy who still trains and instructs advance level classes. A conversation with Grand Master Shim is a humble experience. To speak to him in detail would involve a biographical novel. Grand Master Shim’s philosophy of life is something truly worth learning. His mastery of both meditation and the healing power of Acupuncture sets him apart from the rest. Grand Master Shim is truly the one of few Taekwondo Grand Masters who exemplifies the true meaning of the Martial Arts philosophy. 

Master Keoun Ho Shim holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Master Shim also taught the US Military based in South Korea while training with the 82nd Airborne Unit. Master Shim instructs our Teenage and Adult Classes in Taekwondo, Self Defense, and Bo Staff training at our Elizabeth, New Jersey location. 

Master Oscar Alfaro holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He has been training under Grand Master Shim since 1987. Master Alfaro has won many state championships and a national championship. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) in 2001 as a Cadet Lieutenant. During his cadetship at the Virginia Military Institute, he taught cadets and was the head instructor of the VMI Taekwondo program. After VMI, Master Alfaro continued teaching at Shim's Martial Arts Academy until he was called to Active Duty for Operation Enduring Freedom and then later for Operation Iraqi Freedom with the United States Marine Corps as an Infantryman. Master Alfaro received his Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps as a Sergeant in 2006. He later attended Norwich University for his Graduate Degree and received his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree in 2008. Master Alfaro is the Head Master at the Shim's Martial Arts Academy located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. 

Master Richard DeGeorge holds a 4th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Master DeGeorge started his Taekwondo training in 1980 and started coaching in 2001. He has been producing multiple National Team members for both the USA Taekwondo National Team and the Amateur Athletic Union Taekwondo National Team. His athletes have competed and medaled at the World Championship, Pan American Games, Junior Pan American Championship, as well as many other International Opens. Master DeGeorge is also the Head Coach to our elite Invictus Sport Taekwondo Team and leads our Level Elite Sport Taekwondo Seminars. Master DeGeorge is the Head Master at our Shim's Martial Arts Academy located in Union, New Jersey.  

Hazari Hernandez is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and has been training at Shim's Martial Arts Academy since 2010. He is currently studying at Kean University for his Bachelors Degree in Mathematical Sciences with a minor in Business Management. Hazari was named an All-American Athlete at the 2018 USA Taekwondo National Championship. He is currently an Instructor at both of our locations in Elizabeth and Union, New Jersey.  

Malik Dobson began his training at Shim's Martial Arts Academy in 2008. He is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and has competed at various competitions. Malik is currently ranked number 1 in his division in the USA according to the Tusah National Ranking System. He has competed and trained in various countries such as Great Britain, China, Poland, Greece, France, and Croatia representing the USA. Malik has aspirations to be an Olympic athlete. Malik is an Instructor at our Elizabeth, NJ location.