About Us

Menelik Kahil was born in Ethiopia in 1962. He loved being outdoors and  was always very physically active. He started following exercises that  he heard on radio programs. In 1973, with the help of a work friend of  his mother’s, he was introduced to Taekwondo and never looked back. He  practiced Taekwondo whenever he had the chance. In 1977, Menelik was  tested for his first Black Belt.

Master Menelik’s first  instructor was 5th Degree Black Belt Master Robert Walson, a U.S. Marine  posted in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Revolution began soon after that and  King Hail Selasie was overthrown by the military. The Americans were  given 48 hours to leave the country.  Due to the efforts of Master  Walson, General Choi sent another instructor to Ethiopia, 6th Degree  Black Belt Master Lee Chon Hi. Shortly after that, the ruling military  party banned Taekwondo. This did not deter the young and headstrong  Menelik, and he continued to teach regardless. He was arrested for this  crime three times: the first time he was released with a warning, the  second he was arrested for 3 months and the third time for six months.

In  an effort to break this cycle and with the help of a friend from  Taekwondo, Menelik was hired as a driver abroad. Everywhere he went, he  would seek out a Taekwondo dojang so that he could continue to train. He  eventually ended up in Canada, and in 1988 he took up teaching  Taekwondo for Grand Master Jong Park Soo, one of the pioneers of  Taekwondo. After receiving his 5th Degree Black Belt, Menelik started  his own club and continued practicing and teaching.

Menelik met  up with Master Hiron John, then a 6th Degree Black Belt and started a  branch of his club, I.L.T. Canada. With practice and study Menelik  earned his 6th Degree Black Belt.

In March 2005 Menelik became  the owner and primary instructor at Quest Martial Arts Centre and is an  8th Degree Black Belt. He is fluent in five languages, and is a role  model for his students. His patience and dedication make him an  excellent teacher, loved and admired by all his students.  

My name is Senior Master Hiron John. I am 8th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwon-Do and 2nd Degree in Aikido. I have been doing martial arts for the past 43 years. I am presently a member with the International Linked TaeKwon-Do Federation. I have won several medals in TaeKwon-Do championships in and outside of England. I am also the Founder of UKTI TaeKwon-Do & the President ILTF Malta.

Senior Master John started Martial Arts when he was 10 years old and then he went on to study Karate, Judo, Boxing, Wing chun, Thai Boxing, Kick Boxing, Aikido and then finally settled in TaeKwon-Do in 1981. Now Master John follows the traditional path laid down by the founder of TaeKwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi.