top of page
Meet the Wood Family
Welcome to JP Wood Martial Arts. We are a family of martial artists, and our focus is on families. Come meet our family, and we’d love to meet yours!
Grand Master, Dr. John P. Wood,
Ph. D./Ma. D. Sc.
​
Grand Master, Dr. John P. Wood is a certified 9th degree black belt with the Wold Eclectic Combat Arts Council (WECAC). A certified 8th Dan with the Kukkiwon (World Tae Kwon Do Academy), 7th Dan in Koryo Gumdo from the WKGA, and 5th Dan in Dae Han Hapkido from the WJA . and a 2nd Dan in Okinwan Ju Jitsue from the Ryu Kyu Jitsu Assoc.
​
He is a certified Grandmaster 1st class and an Examiner 1st class with the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Academy). J.P. Wood is a retired International Referee from the WTC and is currently an active Hanmadang Referee certified certified by Kukkiwon.
Dr. J.P. Wood began his college studies as a physical education major and
went on to received his Bachelors Degree in Martial Arts Education and Administration, followed by his Professorship/ Masters degree in Martial Arts Philosophy and then his Doctorate in Martial Arts Science. He has been implementing sound education teaching systems throughout his martial arts career.
​
J.P. Wood began the martial arts in the Cleveland area in the mid 1970's, and at the age of 19 years he was running and teaching his first program under the tutelage of his instructor. In his 20's he moved to Palatine, Illinois and continues to teach, along with his wife, to this day.
Currently Dr. J.P. Wood is the president and founder of Moo Do Won Int'l , Chairman and founder of Koryo Gumdo Int'l, and is an inducted member of the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Additionally he was named 2008 Instructor of the Year, and 2009 Koryo Gumdo Master of the year, and in 2018 was inducted into the Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
​
Grand Master Wood holds State, National and International Gold Medals in forms and sparring, and has trained hundreds of athletes to National and International titles in Taekwondo and Gumdo.
Grand Master Janice M. Wood
​
Grand Master Janice M. Wood is a 7th degree Grand Master instructor in Taekwondo, 5th Degree master in Koryo Gumdo and 2nd Degree Instructor in Hapkido. She is a certified 2nd Class Master Instructor and Test Examiner with the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Academy), certified Kukkiwon 7th dan, International Referee, Hanmadang Referee, 2023 USTU Open Taekwondo Hanmadang Female Referee of the year, and certified Kickboxing and fitness instructor.
​
Grand Master Wood is the Director of the Instructor Training Courses for Moo Do Won International, and director of JP Wood’s demonstration team. She holds State, National and International Gold Medals in both forms and sparring.
​
At JP Wood, Mrs. Wood instructs in Koryo Gumdo, preschool through adult Taekwondo classes, strength and conditioning classes, private lessons, self defense seminars, GOLD Team instructor coursework, and demonstration team classes.
​
She is also very active in her local community on the Executive Board of Directors for the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairperson for the Village of Palatine Planning & Zoning Commission, planning committee for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and active in her local church.
Master John P. Wood Jr.
​
Master John P. Wood Jr. is a 5th degree Master Instructor in Taekwondo and 4th degree Master Instructor in Koryo Gumdo. Master John has a degree in physical education and specializes in sports performance. John Jr. is a National Gold Medal Champion in Taekwondo and Gumdo forms and sparring, and International forms and sparring Grand Champion in Koryo Gumdo.
​
Master John is currently an actor and stuntman, pole vault coach, private lesson and training instructor at JP Wood, and directs the school's annual stunt action camp and nerf camps. You may have seen him on your favorite shows such as Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, or Fargo.
​
Master John is a also a 6 time NCAA All-American collegiate track & field athlete. He specialized in the pole vault, and continues coaching to this day.
Master Rory Wood​
​
Master Rory D. Wood is a 5th degree master instructor in both Taekwondo and Koryo Gumdo. Master Rory is a National Gold Medal Champion in Taekwondo and Gumdo sparring and forms, international forms and sparring Grand Champion in Koryo Gumdo, Samurang Games Grand Champion, and Hanmadang 1st place Champion in creative extreme forms. He is the former co-director of the school's demonstration team and stunt action camps
Master Rory has a degree in History from Illinois State University, and has completed numerous coursework in stunt choreography. Rory is married to Lilly Wood (a black belt at the school as they met at JP Wood!). Master Rory is employed at Bank of America in risk management and compliance.
Master Casey D. Wood
​
Master Casey D. Wood is a 5th degree master instructor in Taekwondo and 4th degree instructor in Koryo Gumdo. Master Casey is a International and National Gold Medal Champion in sparring, forms, multiple Samurang Games Grand Champion, and a Hanmadang 1st place Champion in jumping high kick and spin hook kick, creative forms, and weapon forms.
Casey graduated summe cum laude from North Central College where he majored in economics, finance and entrepreneurship with a minor in spanish. He also was a pole vaulter on North Central's track team. Casey is a member of J.P. Wood’s demonstration team and co-instructs the school's summer stunt action camp. Casey will be returning to school for his Master's Degree in January of 2023.
bottom of page