A woman wearing a white martial arts uniform with a black belt, standing with her arms crossed and smiling against a dark background.

  • Maria Patalinghug — Founder of Golden Dragon Defense

    VI Dan, ITF Taekwon‑Do (ITF‑A‑6‑185) VI Dan, Doce Pares Eskrima International Instructor • Women’s Self‑Defense Specialist

    Maria Patalinghug is a nationally recognized martial artist, international instructor, and women’s self‑defense expert with over 28 years of hands‑on teaching experience. As the founder of Golden Dragon Defense, a proudly female‑owned and operated ITF‑sanctioned school established in 2014, Maria has dedicated her career to empowering children, teens, adults, and especially women through authentic, lineage‑based martial arts training.

    Maria began her martial arts journey at sixteen and has since earned two prestigious 6th Dan black belts — one in ITF Taekwon‑Do and one in Doce Pares Eskrima, the world‑renowned Filipino stick‑fighting system. Her expertise extends far beyond the dojang; she is a sought‑after instructor who has trained community groups, private organizations, and law enforcement professionals.

    Professional Recognition & Awards

    • “Grandmaster with Outstanding Achievements in Martial Arts” — Action Martial Arts Magazine, Hall of Honors Inductee (2017)

    • “Most Valuable Instructor of the Year” — Doce Pares Hall of Fame (2008)

    • Featured in Columbia Magazine’s “Women at Work” (2006)

    • “Taekwon‑Do Instructor of the Year” — Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association (1999)

    Impact & Legacy

    Maria’s career is defined by her commitment to developing confident, capable martial artists. She has coached students to earn their black belts, guided competitors to success in regional, national, and world Eskrima championships, and empowered countless women through practical, reality‑based self‑defense training.

    Her teaching style is known for its precision, personalized attention, and genuine care — qualities that have built lasting relationships with students and families throughout Maryland and beyond. Maria’s mission is simple: to instill strength, confidence, and resilience in every person she teaches.

  • Our school follows the ITF rules and Guidelines for our Black Belts, and requires our Black Belts and Black Stripes to have teaching hours as a part of their curriculum. They are taught how to teach classes, and evaluated on their effectiveness and ability to do so. Our Students are trained from White Belt to teach others through peer mentoring during class, and when they reach Black Stripe, they start with portions of a class, and work towards teaching entire classes.

  • Mr. Ben Chodorov - Assistant Instructor

    ITF Jr. II Dan Black Belt

    Mr. Chodorov joined our school after earning a World Taekwon-Do black belt and relearned ITF Taekwon-Do to keep his rank. Always eager to improve, he still has a youthful charm. He works with his father to learn business and earn money. He is now a 2nd-degree ITF black belt and regularly teaches classes and private lessons.

  • Two martial artists in white uniforms practicing taekwondo, one facing away and one with a clipboard, in a dojo with a red and blue mat, posters, and a Maryland flag.

    Mr. Ethan Reyes -- Assistant Instructor

    ITF Jr II Dan Black Belt

    Mr. Reyes is our longest-standing student and eager to learn all things martial arts. He’s a strict, hard-working teacher who constantly seeks improvement. He also helps run his family’s food truck while balancing school, work, and Taekwon-Do. Mr. Reyes is now a 2nd Degree ITF Black Belt and eagerly continues his Taekwon-Do journey.

  • Two young children practicing martial arts in a dojo with an instructor, all wearing white uniforms with black belts, performing punches on blue and red mats.

    Ms. Carly Petrecca - Assistant Instructor

    ITF Jr. I Dan Black Belt

    Ms. Petrecca loves Taekwon-Do, often practicing while talking through techniques and corrections. Her determined spirit pushes her past limits and fuels steady improvement. She plans to buy the studio from Ms. Maria when she retires. She is now a 1st Degree ITF Black Belt, committed and focused, and nothing will stop her.

  • A young woman in a white martial arts uniform with a black belt, standing on blue and red mats at a martial arts dojo, with flags, trophies, and equipment visible in the background.

    Ms. Skyler Heffern - Assistant Instructor

    ITF Jr. I Dan Black Belt Ms. Skyler balances heavy coursework with rigorous Taekwon-Do, commuting up to an hour to train and teach. Organized and reliable, she prepares thoroughly and is competitive and goal-driven, she studies opponents, sharpens sparring and forms, pushes her limits, mentors teammates, leads drills, and boosts team morale.

  • A martial arts instructor and a young student practicing in a dojo with American and Filipino flags hanging overhead.

    Mr. Cameron Engle - Assistant Instructor

    ITF Jr I Dan Black Belt

    Mr. Cameron studies several martial arts but is especially devoted to Taekwon-Do. He regularly drives up to two hours to train with us, even though there are ITF schools closer to his home. A talented high jumper, he also practices nunchaku and enjoys offering and receiving thoughtful, constructive feedback to help others improve.

  • Three taekwondo practitioners, including an adult woman and two young children, pose in a martial arts dojo with American, Maryland, national flag, and Philippine flag hanging above. All are dressed in white martial arts uniforms, with the children in fighting stances, and the woman positioned in a traditional stance with hands together. The dojo has a blue and red mat, trophies, equipment, and a sign with social media info.

    Ms. Elissa Barnard - Assistant Instructor

    ITF 1st Dan Ms. Elissa nearly completed her 2nd degree in World Taekwon-Do before joining our school. Very detail-oriented, she chose to test down to red belt and relearn Taekwon-Do in the ITF style. She earned her 1st Dan in ITF Taekwon-Do, teaches regularly, and frequently offers private lessons for test preparation.

  • A young boy in a white Taekwondo uniform with a red belt, posing in martial arts stance in front of banners with Taekwondo-related logos and text, including 'Golden Dragon Defense'.

    Mr. Jesse Quirk Kane - Assistant Instructor

    ITF Jr. 1st Dan Mr. Jesse Kane is our newest 1st Dan Black Belt and brings nonstop energy to everything he does. His dedication and passion push students of all ages to do their best, while maintaining his fierce training and competitive spirit. We’re proud to have Jesse strengthening the Golden Dragon Defense community. ‍ ‍

  • Young person in a white martial arts uniform with patches, including a U.S. flag, standing with hands behind back in front of a sports banner and logo.

    Mr. Amaury Batista - Assistant

    ITF Black Stripe

  • A young person standing in a martial arts gi with a red belt, smiling in front of a martial arts banner.

    Mr. Tyler Rhoads - Assistant

    ITF Black Stripe

Logo of the World Taekwondo Federation featuring a globe with Taegeuk symbol and a martial artist, alongside the Korean flag and the phrase 'INTERNATIONAL TAEKWON-DO FEDERATION'.

WE’RE AN ITF CERTIFIED SCHOOL. TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES; WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTION.

  • Golden Dragon Defense is an ITF Certified School. ITF Taekwon-Do is a Martial Art with four distinct facets, as a sport, a martial art, a tool for social development and as a way of life. Competition highlights the Sport facet of ITF Taekwon-Do.

    The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) aims to promote and support Taekwon-Do according to the principles of its Founder, General Choi Hong-hi. It was founded in 1966 and has member associations in over 120 countries worldwide.

  • Enrolling in an ITF Certified school means embracing an authentic martial arts style that is true to its roots. Our curriculum adheres to the original teachings of Taekwon-Do, as outlined in an Encyclopedia, written by founder General Choi Hong-hi.

    ITF allows hand strikes, kicks, takedowns, blocks, and more. Students practice patterns, self defense, board breaking, and sparring.

    ITF also opens the door for competitions, both nationally and internationally, where students can choose to take their martial arts journey to the next level!

  • There are five tenets defined in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF).

    Courtesy ( 예의 ye-ui )

    Showing courtesy to all, respecting others, having manners as well as maintaining the appropriate etiquette at all times, both within and outside the dojang (도장) (designated training area).

    Integrity ( 염치 yeom-chi )

    Although it may be similar, this form of integrity takes on a more wider role then defined in the common dictionary. In Taekwon-Do, integrity means not only to determine what is right or wrong but also having the conscience to feel guilt if one has done wrong and to have the integrity stand up for what is right.

    Perseverance ( 인내 in-nae )

    One will persevere time and time again until they have achieved a result which is adequate towards what one was trying to achieve.

    Self-control ( 극기 geuk-gi )

    This means to not only have control over one's physical acts, but also their mental thoughts and actions.

    Indomitable Spirit ( 백절불굴 baekjul-boolgool )

    To have indomitable spirit means to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what odds you are up against, and to always give 100% effort in whatever you do.

  • ITF Certified schools are eligible to enroll in plenty of competitions and tournaments of various scales throughout the year. Competitions allow students to evaluate and increase their abilities, set goals to achieve a higher level of training and accomplishment and to achieve success at local, regional, national and international level.

    Golden Dragon Defense offers an Annual Dragon’s Eye Tournament where students from schools throughout the East Coast travel to compete in our hometown to compete each year!

    Official Championships organised by the ITF are the ITF World Championships and ITF World Cups. However, other approved championships take place across the world such as Continental Championships and approved ITF Open Championships. Learn more here.

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