
Master Jermaine James
Instructor & Owner
Master Jermaine James is a 6th Degree Black Belt, Owner and Head Instructor of International Taekwondo Academy in Cape Coral, Florida. With more than 30 years of Taekwondo experience, Master Jermaine has dedicated his life to teaching, mentoring, and developing martial artists of all ages while building one of Southwest Florida's premier Taekwondo programs.
As an instructor, Master Jermaine believes that Taekwondo is about far more than learning martial arts techniques. His goal is to help every student develop confidence, discipline, respect, perseverance, and the mindset necessary to succeed both on and off the mat. Whether working with a beginner taking their first class or an athlete pursuing national and international competition, his focus is helping each student reach their individual potential.
Master Jermaine began his Taekwondo journey at the age of five under Master Allan Silverberg and Grandmaster K.C. Chung. He currently continues to share the knowledge and experience gained throughout his career with the next generation of martial artists.
His competitive career includes 3 USA National Team selections, 7 AAU National Team selections, and 6 USA National Championship titles. He was named USA Taekwondo Junior Male Athlete of the Year in 2006 and has competed successfully at major national and international events. Historical competition records also document his success at AAU Nationals and the U.S. Open, as well as his appearance in the World Taekwondo rankings.
In 2010, through his dual citizenship, Master Jermaine began representing Switzerland internationally in the -58 kg division. His international career included a bronze medal at the 2010 British Open, a 5th-place finish at the 2011 World Taekwondo Championships in Gyeongju, South Korea, and qualification for the 2012 Swiss Olympic Team. He ultimately finished as the runner-up for the opportunity to represent Switzerland at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Contemporary Olympic qualification records confirm his participation as a Swiss athlete in the -58 kg division.
Master Jermaine's experience as an elite athlete forms the foundation of his coaching philosophy. He has served as an AAU Taekwondo National Team Coach and has coached athletes competing at national and international events. His athletes have gone on to earn national team selections, national championships, and international medals while representing ITA throughout the United States and around the world. AAU records also document athletes representing Master Jermaine as their instructor on national teams.
At International Taekwondo Academy, Master Jermaine has created a training environment centered on discipline, hard work, personal growth, and opportunity. His mission is not simply to develop champions in Taekwondo, but to use martial arts as a vehicle to help students become stronger, more confident, responsible, and successful individuals.
As an instructor, coach, mentor, and leader, Master Jermaine is passionate about helping students discover what they are capable of achieving. Whether the goal is earning a first Black Belt, becoming a National Champion, competing internationally, or pursuing the Olympic dream, he strives to provide the knowledge, guidance, and environment necessary to turn those goals into reality.