At Luverne Taekwondo, our instructors aren’t just martial arts experts—they are passionate educators dedicated to helping every student reach their full potential. With direct lineage to Olympic-level training and decades of teaching experience, our leadership team ensures a safe, structured, and inspiring environment for your entire family.
7th Degree Black Belt
Grand Master Grieme is the driving force behind Luverne Taekwondo. With decades of dedicated training, he earned his 7th Degree Black Belt under the strict guidance of Grand Master Yong Chin Pak. Known for his technical precision and disciplined yet encouraging teaching style, Master Grieme has trained hundreds of students from their very first white belt all the way to master-level black belts. He believes that Taekwondo is a lifelong journey of self-improvement that builds leaders both on and off the mat.
Specialties: Traditional Forms (Poomsae), Advanced Kicking Technique, Leadership Development.
Favorite Tenet: Perseverance — “Because the mat teaches us how to get back up when life knocks us down.”
6th Degree Black Belt
Bringing a unique blend of academic excellence and martial arts mastery to the school, Dr. Master Suzie Walgrave is a cornerstone of the Luverne Taekwondo community. Also training directly under Grand Master Pak at Iowa State University, she commands a deep understanding of the physical and psychological benefits of martial arts training. Master Walgrave excels at breaking down complex movements into fun, digestible steps for our younger students while pushing our advanced students to achieve peak performance.
Specialties: Youth Development, Self-Defense Application, Sparring Strategy.
Favorite Tenet: Integrity — “Doing the right thing when no one is watching is the true mark of a martial artist.”
5th Degree Black Belt
The Luverne Taekwondo family deeply honors the memory of Master Troy Vink, who passed away in December 2024 after a courageous battle with Stage 4 cancer. Master Vink was an foundational branch of our school’s family tree and an irreplaceable part of our martial arts community.
Master Vink’s Taekwondo journey began right here in our lineage, starting his training under Grand Master Wes Grieme back in 1981. For over four decades, he demonstrated excellence in the dojang, dominated the competition floor, and through his decades of mentorship, he raised an incredible generation of black belts, students, and families who continue to impact society positively.
Though he is no longer with us on the mats, Master Vink’s dedication, loyalty, and passion are permanently woven into the fabric of Luverne Taekwondo and the entire Pak Family Martial Arts Association.
“A Black Belt Is Just a White Belt Who Never Quit Learning .” -Troy Vink
Luverne Taekwondo is deeply rooted in the martial arts revolution brought to the Midwest by the legendary Grand Master Yong Chin Pak. As a pioneer of American Taekwondo, Grand Master Pak dedicated over 40 years to Iowa State University, establishing one of the most respected collegiate martial arts programs in the world and coaching the U.S. National Collegiate Taekwondo Team.
Our local head instructors trained directly under this prestigious lineage. When you step onto our mats, you are becoming a part of the global Pak Family legacy—built on authentic technique, traditional respect, and lifelong community.
