Welcome to Midwest Tae Kwon Do

Master Russell Gale is a 5th degree black belt. He has over 20 years of tae kwon do training and recently retired from a long competitive career. During this time he won gold medals at local, state, national and international competitions. Master Gale draws his knowledge from the best in the world, and has traveled across the US to train with Olympic medalists and World Champions. These medalists include 1988 Gold Medalist from Korea, Master Myang Sang Jang, 1988 Bronze Medalist and former USA Olympic Head Coach, Master Han Won Lee, and 2000/2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Steven Lopez. Master Gale plans to further his knowledge of Olympic style Tae Kwon Do to prepare students who wish to compete. At the 2002 National Championships, two of his students won medals and three others competed in the quarter finals. While he is pleased with their accomplishments, he hopes to see continued advancements in all aspects of their training. Master Gale feels competitive Tae Kwon Do is great for personal growth, but he also feels it's a small part of the complete package that includes self-discipline, self confidence, self defense and practical problem solving skills. "I hope you find everything you are looking for at Midwest Tae Kwon Do, and invite you to become a part of our future which promises to be both exciting and rewarding," says Master Gale.

Master Gale is the father of two children, Stefan and Lindsay.

Send e-mail to Master Gale.

Master Tanya Panizzo is currently a 4th degree black belt and began her training at age 8 with her brothers (she is a triplet). Master Panizzo began her training strictly because her brothers did, but as time went by, began to develop a love for the Korean martial art. Over the years, she has participated in numerous tournaments, eventually capturing a gold medal in international competition. She defeated her mother's home country of Argentina to advance to the final rounds in this tournament. She has also participated in demonstrations and other special events that have given her valuable experience in many facets of Tae Kwon Do. She is head of the fitness program offered at Midwest and is responsible for the physical conditioning of students in pursuit of tournament competition. Along with this, she is instructor of the Aerobic Kickboxing Class and head of the Self Defense Program at the school. Recently, Master Panizzo added "Certified radKIDS Instructor" to her list of qualifications and teaches the safety program for children at Milan and Midwest Tae Kwon Do. Master Panizzo plans to further her knowledge of traditional Tae Kwon Do principles to enrich the lives of all students in her care. Her primary goal is to see improvement in every student both physically and mentally and believes that Tae Kwon Do brings a positive outlook on a person's life. She encourages everyone, male and female, child and adult, to see what Tae Kwon Do and fitness can bring to their lives.

Master Panizzo resigned from her engineering position to teach Tae Kwon Do full-time. She teaches at both Milan Tae Kwon Do in Milan and Midwest Tae Kwon Do in Plymouth. When she's not teaching at Milan and Midwest, Master Panizzo enjoys spending time with her daughter, Lila.

Send e-mail to Master Panizzo.

Mr. Dan Freeman is a 3rd degree black belt with over nine years of experience. He was born in 1985 and has lived in Milan all his life. He trained with his younger brother, Derek, for a brief period in another Taekwondo program beginning in February of 1997. Within weeks of Master Gale opening his Taekwondo program he and his brother became students of Milan Taekwondo. He and his brother share a unique connection to Master Gale, as their father, David, was his first Taekwondo instructor. After becoming one of Master Gale's first black belts in 1999, he began to take an instructing role and quickly developed a passion for it. He became a staff instructor in 2001 as a 2nd degree black belt. In 2002 he earned the first Black Belt of the Year Award along with Mr. Wonderly for his role as an instructor. He has competed at both the state and national levels, traveling to Ohio, Florida, and Minnesota, and made his way to the quarter finals at the National Championships in 2002.

Mr. Freeman graduated from Eastern Michigan University in April of 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management.

Mrs. Kathy Matthews