Master Toby Layman began training in 1981 under Master Gwen Hall at Hall's Tae Kwon Do Association in Great Lakes, Illinois.  He studied in various styles with different instructors for several years while on active duty in the U.S. Navy.  He began training in the Fredericksburg area under Supreme GrandMaster Joon K. Seong, 8th Dan at Seong's Martial Arts Academy in 1996.  He has operated three separate satellite dojangs (Fawn Lake, USS KEARSARGE, and Lake of the Woods) for SGM Seong and also owned/operated Layman's Martial Arts in Tappahannock, Virginia. 

 

Master Layman is a two-time silver medalist in Black Belt forms at the U.S. National Tae Kwon Do Championships (1999/2001), a four-time Virginia State Champion in Black Belt forms and sparring  (1998-2001), and Grand Champion at Seong's Millenium Tournament (2000) and Black Belt forms and weapons champion at Seong's Invitational Tournament (2007).  He has won several medals and trophies at local and regional tournaments in forms, sparring, breaking and weapons.  Additionally, Master Layman has been certified as a referee by the Pan Am Martial Arts Federation and the former U.S. Tae Kwon Do Union.  He has coached several students at local, regional and state events. 

 

Master Layman instructed U.S.Marines in close-in combat skills enroute to Iraq onboard USS KEARSARGE (2003) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and traditional Tae Kwon Do to countless U.S.Sailors during his 26 year Navy career.