Songahm in Portugal
Mr. José Pedro Reyes at the Iguaçu Waterfalls (1985)
Songahm Taekwondo reached Portugal on September 1991, brought by the then instructor in training José Pedro Reyes, guided by the dream of spreading this martial art throughout Europe, starting with our country.
When he first experienced Songahm Taekwondo in 1989, José Pedro Reyes chose to follow its teachings because it was a martial art of total development.
The personal victory concept, the western system of teaching and the principles and philosophy behind Songahm Taekwondo were the key elements that inspire his teaching.
Following the example of great martial arts masters throughout time, like Mr Juan Samaniego (his instructor), Mr Cesar Ozuna and of the great Grand Master H. U. Lee, creator and founder of Songahm Taekwondo, he decided to dedicate a big part of his life to teaching and learning this martial art.
In Portugal, during his first year, he managed to achieve the record of the martial arts class with the most number of students of only one instructor - 120 students. This was only possible with the direct help of the first group of students inscribed in the Instruction Course, to who the Portuguese Songahm Taekwondo recognizes merit: Mr. Jorge Monteiro, Mr. Bruno Alexandre, Mr. Nuno Allen, Miss Susana Caiola, Mr. Fabrice Brito, Miss Patrícia Costa and Mr. Whalid Saleh.
Since then, the evolution and growth of this martial art in Portugal has been huge.
Mr. Pedro Reyes is nowadays a 5th Degree Black Belt and continues to be one in charge of Songahm Taekwondo in Portugal.