Credentials
6th Dan Korea Simmudo Association
5th Dan Korea Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan
5th Dan Korean New Martial Arts Hapkido Federation
5th Dan Korea Taekwondo Chang Moo Kwan
5th Dan Universal Taekwondo Brotherhood
5th Dan Taekwondo - National Korean Martial Arts Association
4th Dan Yusool - Martial Arts USA
Korean Language: Certificate of Intermediate High Level by the:
    AMERICAN COUNCIL ON THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES - Dec. 19, 2005
Bachelor of Arts - Christian Education

Leadership
Director: Korea / USA Simmudo Association
President: Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc.
President: USA Dance - SE MN Chapter
Liaison: Shiheung, South Korea & Rochester, MN City Partnership

Background
1956 October 11 - Date of birth in Rochester, MN
Fred Gommels front left with Dr. Okazaki, Aiki-Jujutsu Master
1973 Began martial arts training in Judo and Aiki-Jujutsu under Dr. Haruo Okazaki.
1974 Graduated from Mayo High School, Rochester Minnesota
1979 Married Myrna Young
1979 Bachelor's Degree in Christian Education and went on to become a teacher/administrator of a private Christian school in Rochester, MN
1979 Received 1st Dan in Taekwondo - ChangMooKwan under GrandMaster J.W. Park.
1982 Was placed in charge of GM Jong Won Park's Rochester location of 15 students.
1986 The club moved to a 1,000 sq. foot store front, was named the Karate Studio of Rochester and grew to 50 students in 3 years.
Fred Gommels 2nd from left front with Master Jong Won Park, ChangMooKwan Taekwondo 1975
1988 Opened first branch in St. Charles, MN.
1989 Entered the martial arts as a full-time career. Moved the Rochester school to a 1,600 sq. foot facility and grew to 150 students in a 5 year period.
1992 By this time several area branch clubs were established including the Karate Studio of Albert Lea.
1994 The Martial Art Fitness Center was established in a 6,000 sq. foot facility providing separate training programs in Taekwondo, Aikido, and Judo.
1996 Incorporated the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. Opened the Karate Studio of Austin.
1997 Aerobic Kickboxing was added to the MAFCI training programs.
Breaking Demo - 1990
1998 Fred Gommels began Korean language lessons with local Korean instructor.
1998 Took first trip to Seoul, S. Korea for training and culture. Was briefly introduced to GrandMaster Pan Gon Song. This relationship later developed in to a direct link to Korea for training, culture, certification, brotherhood, and the Rochester-Shihung Partner City connection.
1999 Added an Okinawan Karate and Weapons program to the MAFCI.
1999 Master Gommels turned the branch clubs over to the head instructors to focus his energies on the growing Martial Art Fitness Center in Rochester.
1999 Took 2nd trip trip to Korea and witnessed the public ceremony and demonstrations honoring the inception of the Korea Simmudo Association founded by GrandMaster Pan Gon Song.
Hapkido Demo - 2000
1999 Started up a Hapkido program at the MAFCI.
1999 Appointed to position of Executive Director with the Korean Martial Arts Association for a 2-year term. Was a member of KMAIA 1997-2001.
2000 Hosted the 1st annual Korean Culture and Martial Arts Expo.
2000 Welcomed a Jujitsu club to join the MAFCI martial arts programs.
2000 Hosted the 1st annual Korea Simmudo Association seminar with GrandMaster Pan Gon Song.
2000 3rd martial arts and cultural tour to S. Korea.
Fred Gommels and GM Song
2001 The production of a Taekwondo training video.
2001 Fred Gommels was appointed Director of the Korea / USA Simmudo Association by GrandMaster Pan Gon Song. The Martial Art Fitness Centers in Rochester, MN became the official headquarters.
2001 Fred Gommels promoted to 5th Dan black belt under the Korea Simmudo Association.
2001 Production of the 1st Simmudo training video.
2002 Started a Korean Weapons program at the MAFCI.
2002 In March Fred Gommels, introduced his International Athletic/Cultural Exchange concept to the Rochester City Council by giving a power point presentation of his plan.


A grand welcome by the Shihung officials and master instructors at the Seoul/Inchon Airport in October 2002.
Fred Gommels second from left. GM Song third from left.
2002 The 4th Korean culture and martial arts tour with a delegation of 16 people. This time visiting Shihung City, the headquarters of the Korea Simmudo Association. On this tour Fred Gommels further developed the Rochester / Shihung International Partner City connection by bringing city officials from Rochester, MN to connect with Shihung City officials.
Fred Gommels demonstrating self-defense before a crowd of spectators in Shihung City S. Korea
2002 On this Korea tour Fred Gommels was promoted to 5th Dan black belt under both the Korea Taekwondo ChungDo Kwan and the Korean New Martial Arts Hapkido Federation.
2003 In January the MAFCI underwent a renovation of the front of the building.
Renovated MAFCI exterior
2003 In June Fred Gommels was instrumental in bringing a delegation of 12 city officials and martial arts masters from Shihung City, S. Korea to Rochester, MN for formalizing the Partner City Connection between Rochester and Shihung. This international connection was made official by the Rochester Mayor and Shihung Vice-Mayor along with the athletic association presidents of both cities.
2003 Hosted the 4th annual Korean Masters Martial Arts Seminar through the Korea Simmudo Association. Over 150 people from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Florida, and England attended the training. Fred Gommels and GrandMaster Song have developed a close relationship for the promotion of Korean martial arts and culture.
Fred Gommels and GM Song
2003 Hosted the Asian Culture and Martial Arts Expo. This event displayed the cultures and martial arts of Asia through workshops and demonstrations. The Guest of Honor was Dr. Haruo Okazaki, Master of Aiki-Jujitsu. Dr. Okazaki was Fred Gommels' first martial arts instructor.
Pictured center are Dr. and Mrs. Okazaki with Fred and Myrna Gommels
2003 In November a hardwood Bio-Cushion Maple Wood floor was installed at the MAFCI. This floor is designed to absorb 65% of the impact of jumps and falls making it easier on the ankles, hips, and back.

Master Fred Gommels with wife Myrna at the first Christmas dance
hosted by the Martial Art Fitness Center December 13, 2003
2004 Fred Gommels along with GM Song Pan Gon jointly hosted group of 34 people on a South Korean Tour Oct 14-23. On this tour F. Gommels represented both the Korea/USA Simmudo Martial Arts Association and the Shiheung / Rochester City Partnership. This tour consisted of training with Korean masters in a variety of Korean martial arts techniques. Cultural tours were also enjoyed to such places as Sorak San Mountain, Eastern Sea, DMZ, open air markets. Having studied the Korean language since 1998, F. Gommels served as a translator for much of the tour.
Fred Gommels and Shiheung Sports Assn. President Choi, Dong Jong
2004 Completion of the 1st Dan Black Belt training video for the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. and the Korea Simmudo Association.
2005 On March 15th Fred Gommels was promoted to 4th Dan in Yusool by Professor John Chambers – President: Martial Arts USA
2005 Hosted the 2005 Korean Masters Seminar sponsored by the World Simmudo Federation October 17-22. The trainers from Shiheung, South Korea, were GrandMaster Pan Kon Song, President of the World Simmudo Federation and Master Jong Sung Kim, Executive Director. Training was provided in Hapkido, Yudo, Taekwondo, Kyuktooki, and Hoshinsul. During this seminar on October 17 Fred Gommels was promoted to 6th Dan by GrandMaster Pan Kon Song, President of the World Simmudo Federation.

As liaison for the Rochester, MN and Shiheung, South Korean City Partnership, Fred Gommels hosted a delegation of officials from the Shiheung Sports Association and Shiheung City Hall October 21-28.

Having studied the Korean language for over 7 years, F. Gommels was a translator for many of the tours and meetings for the Shiheung and Rochester officials. Pictured above is F. Gommels translating for Rochester’s Mayor Brede at a luncheon sponsored by the City of Rochester.

Fred Gommels is pictured at right on October 27 sharing the podium with Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce President, John Wade. Fred Gommels spoke before an audience of more than 700 people in both Korean and English on behalf of the Rochester / Shiheung City Partnership.






Fred Gommels (third from left) with Rochester and Shiheung City officials just
before the honoring members Chamber of Commerce Celebration October 27.

The Shiheung officials and Master instructors were honored at this event for their continued efforts in the development of the Shiheung / Rochester Partner-City connection. This relationship is for the furtherance of exchanges between the two cities in commerce, culture, sports and tourism.

This connection began through the martial arts between GrandMaster Pan Kon Song and Fred Gommels. It has been furthered developed with the Shiheung Tug of War team competing in the international games in Rochester, MN in Sept of 2004.

There are also plans for an elaborate display of art in the Rochester Art Center sponsored by the Shiheung Association of Fine Arts. This display would represent artists from all across South Korea.

Fred Gommels is picture here receiving a plaque of appreciation from Mr. Choi, Dong Jong, President of the Shiheung Sports Association. This award was in honor F. Gommels’ continued promotion of the Rochester / Shiheung City Partnership. October 27, 2005.
2005 Fred Gommels has been studying the Korean language since September 1998. On December 19, 2005 the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages certified that Fredrick J. Gommels successfully completed an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and has been rated, using ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, as Intermediate High – KOREAN.
2005 Fred Gommels and his wife, Myrna, have been ballroom dancing since March 2002. On December 2, 2005 Fred Gommels was elected as President of USA DANCE - SE MN Chapter.
2006 Fred & Myrna Gommels hosted a group of 10 martial artists and 2 Rochester city officials to visit Siheung, South Korea Oct. 12-21. In addition to cultural tours and martial arts training, this visit included the official the establishment of the Siheung / Rochester City Partnership. This Partnership culminates the past 5 years of efforts between the cities of Rochester and Siheung. Fred Gommels, having studied the Korean language for over 8 years, was a translator for much of this tour.
2006 On Dec. 12, 2006 Fred and Myrna Gommels opened the Blue Moon Ballroom, LLC.
2007 Fred and Myrna assisted in hosting 10 artists and city officials from the Siheung Association of Fine Arts and City Hall of Siheung, S. Korea.