What is taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a modern Korean martial art based on kicks and hand techniques with ancient roots. Many different “dojangs,” or taekwondo schools, with slightly different styles, existed in the 1960s in Korea, so Kukkiwon was founded in 1972 as the main Taekwondo governing body. The World Taekwondo Federation, shortened today to World Taekwondo (WT), was then founded in 1973 with the goal to promote Taekwondo internationally and at all levels of competition. Under the tutelage of WT, Taekwondo was accepted as an official Olympic sport beginning with the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Taekwondo is an extremely popular martial art and sport. Today, there are over 6.7 million people outside of Korea that hold Kukkiwon black belt certificates. Here in the United States, there are over 400 schools affiliated with USA Taekwondo (USAT), the main governing body for the sport in the United States. There are 28 colleges and universities that are members of the National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA). The Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo (ACATA) is the official NCTA Regional League for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and includes our neighbors Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Why should I join this club?
Practicing taekwondo is a great way to improve strength, speed, and flexibility while at the same time learning self-defense. It’s one of the few sports that can be practiced throughout life because almost every movement can be modified to account for the individual’s abilities. Taekwondo is what you make of it; it can fall anywhere along a spectrum from extremely demanding to meditative.
Who is teaching classes?
About our staff co-sponsor and instructor, Master Katelyn Gray:
- Over 20 years of taekwondo experience
- 4th degree black belt
- Certified Kukkiwon International Taekwondo Master
- Certified Kukkiwon Poom/Dan Promotion Examiner
- Certified USAT referee and coach in kyorugi and poomsae
- Previous coach of the Hopkins Sport Taekwondo Club at Johns Hopkins University
- CPR and first aid certified by the American Red Cross
About our staff co-sponsor and instructor, Master David Green:
- Over 20 years of taekwondo experience
- 4th degree black belt
- Referee for ACATA
- Certified USAT coach in kyorugi and poomsae
- Previous Head Coach of the Taekwondo Club at Ohio State University
- Avid kyorugi competitor, including national and international events
- 2026 NCTA Coach of the year
Who makes up student leadership?
Club President: Abbott Sherwin, undergraduate student, senior
Club Treasurer: Elizabeth Nitz, graduate student, first year
