Mr. Henderson Turton
Chief Instructor

4th Degree Black Belt (Barbados)​
Internationally Certified Dan (Kukkiwon, Korea)
WT - World Taekwondo Certified Level II International Coach
Certified Coach: National Olympic Academy of the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA)
Men's Team National Coach & Team Manager:

• World Taekwondo Championships - Baku, Azerbaijan 2023
• Pan American Games - Santiago, Chile 2023
• Central American and Caribbean Games - Santo Domingo, DR 2023
• Pan American Games - Lima, Peru 2019
• World Taekwondo Championships - Manchester, UK 2019
• Pan Am Open Championships - Oregon, USA 2019

Women's Team National Coach & Team Manager:

• Central American and Caribbean Games - Santo Domingo, DR 2023

Certified Sports Administrator:

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Advanced Diploma in Managing Olympic Sporting Organizations
• National Olympic Academy of the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) Basic Sports Administration Certificate

Awards/ Recognitions:

• 2023 International Excellence Award (Barbados Olympic Association)
• 2023 Certified Master (Academia Marcial Panamericana)

Former Assistant Instructor - Challenger Taekwondo Academy (2013-2015)
First started Taekwondo in 1999.

Our Master's Journey

Introduction to Taekwondo

Around the age of seven, Mr. Turton was introduced to Taekwondo. He attended and watched classes with his older sister Carol, and his older cousin Master Ogeji Dottin who was the Instructor.

Momentary Change of Heart

In 2001, Mr. Turton’s focus had shifted to basketball since he felt there were greater opportunities at the time. Indeed, Mr. Turton went on to represent Barbados in basketball as a member of the junior national team later that year. However, he still trained Taekwondo, whilst going on to become a House Captain for one year as a formal leader for one Quarter of the entire student body at Harrison College in 2002. 

Kyorugi

In 2009 he resumed Taekwondo, this time at Challenger Taekwondo Academy with Master Dottin. He went on to win his first International Kyorugi Medal in 2010, and would go on to earn his black belt and became an Assistant Instructor. He would sometimes carry entire classes for Master Dottin when asked to do so and developed his teaching skills with Master Dottin’s mentorship. ​

Vertical Divider

Beginning of Taekwondo Journey

However, it was not until he went to Secondary School that he started to formally train in Taekwondo. In 1999, with the endorsement of Master Dottin, he trained with Master Anthony Williams - who had brought Taekwondo to his school, Harrison College. He would soon go on to win his first Gold Trophy in local Taekwondo Poomsae competition. He also represented his school in several different Sports, and held various leadership positions as a member of the Boy Scouts Troop.

Indomitable Spirit

By 2003 Mr Turton resumed training upon entering University. Advised by Master Dottin he was accepted and trained within the University’s program under Master Stephen Haynes since the commute was more congruent. He was very active at the University since he held roles such as Gym Supervisor and Bookshop Assistant whilst being a founding member in developing the Young Economist Association of the Cave Hill Campus. When he earned his undergraduate degree with a Double Major in Economics and Accounting Mr. Turton would soon begin his career as an Auditor with a top four Global Accounting Firm – PricewaterhouseCoopers. In the meantime, he went on to earn the Gold Level and later, the International Award for Young people (also known as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award). Presented to him by His Royal Highness Prince Edward – Earl of Wessex. However, the demands of the Audit industry whilst studying for professional exams to become an Accountant meant significant reductions in the time available for training in Taekwondo. However, he remained Indomitable and persevered.

Competition

In 2013 he qualified as a Chartered Accountant, and with the encouragement and support of his Instructor, Mr. Turton was elected as Treasurer on the Executive Council of the Taekwondo Association of Barbados, where he served for four years and played a steady hand in the Administration of the Sport in Barbados. By the time he was elected President of the Association in 2017 at a time of crisis, Mr. Turton had served Taekwondo as an athlete, coach, assistant instructor, referee, judge and official.

Mr. Turton believes that Taekwondo is very vast and needs to be taken seriously in Barbados. It provides a long-term, structured pursuit for self-actualization in personal development and for the realization of physical, mental and spiritual excellence.

Establishment of the Robust Taekwondo Academy

Registration

In 2018 he formally registered Robust Taekwondo Academy after earning his 3rd Degree Black Belt Rank and determined that people in Barbados both - female and male, must have greater access to the rich offerings and fulfillment that comes from Taekwondo. “Taekwondo has given me such a high degree of human-expression and human-experience. It is a pursuit of discovery where many of my major skillsets are challenged and continue to develop in significant ways to the betterment of self and those around me – Leadership; Communication and the use of foreign Languages; Critical Thinking and Analysis; Athleticism; Teamwork; Accounting; Strategic Planning; Marketing; Problem-solving; and even Humour. It has done a lot for me. The tenets will take you far. I want to share the gift of Taekwondo with others.” ​

COVID Strikes

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and brought its various uncertainties and fears, Mr. Turton utilized Taekwondo to provide an anchor of certainty, stability and self-actualization through achievement for club members to help navigate the worst of the pandemic. Members had access to physical activity (even online) and even had occasions for safe social interaction – especially for the younger ones during their important years of motor and social skills development.

Taekwondo Association President

In 2021 he was re-elected President of the Taekwondo Association and was later that year recognised by World Taekwondo with an appointment by President Dr. Chungwon Choue to serve as a member of the Development Committee for two years.