The history of the United Taekwondo Association Ahn is closely linked to the life and efforts of Grandmaster Kyong Won Ahn, So it is natural to began its history with his. Grandmaster Ahn was born in Seoul, Korea. His training in the martial arts began when he was only 12 years old and continued through his residence in Korea. He served an internship with his instructor, Master Cheng Bok Lee, as the Master Instructor for the American and Korean armies from 1955-1957. Upon the request of the United States, He immigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio to began instruction in Taekwondo in August 1967. At that time he founded The United Taekwondo Association to help bring reputable martial arts instruction to the U.S. In 1968 Grandmaster Ahn began instructing at the University of Cincinnati where he still serves as an advisor. He has also taught at Miami University of Ohio and Xavier University. during the 1970's when Taekwondo was beginning its climb to national and international prominence, Grand Master Ahn was a member of thee founding Board of Directors of the National AAU Taekwondo Committee (now the United States Taekwondo Union). His work was adopted by the Technical Standardization Committee. from 1986 to the end of 1992 he served as President of the U.S Taekwondo Union.
Besides these activities his Presidency of The United Taekwondo Association Ahn, he has served as the Chairman of Ohio AAU Taekwondo committee, Acting Chairman of the National AAU Taekwondo Promotion Committee and Head of the U.S Team at the 3rd World Taekwondo Championship in the 1977 as a 9th Dan Grandmaster Instructor, Grandmaster Kyong Won Ahn is licensed and accredited by the World Taekwondo Federation as a Class 2 International Referee and Master Instructor. He is widely known and respected nationally and internationally as a leading figure in Taekwondo, and as a tireless organizer and as a dedicated master teacher.
The United Taekwondo Association over witch Grandmaster Ahn presides, is made up of over 200 schools in the Eastern United Sates. These schools are affiliated, via the Association, with the U.S. Taekwondo Union and the World Taekwondo Federation. These schools, under Grandmaster Ahn's direction, have trained over 15,000 students in taekwondo. Grandmaster Ahn has trained over 500 Black Belts, including some to the level of Master many of his students have gone on the national recognition in competition and international recognition for there instructor and refereeing skills.
Besides these activities his Presidency of The United Taekwondo Association Ahn, he has served as the Chairman of Ohio AAU Taekwondo committee, Acting Chairman of the National AAU Taekwondo Promotion Committee and Head of the U.S Team at the 3rd World Taekwondo Championship in the 1977 as a 9th Dan Grandmaster Instructor, Grandmaster Kyong Won Ahn is licensed and accredited by the World Taekwondo Federation as a Class 2 International Referee and Master Instructor. He is widely known and respected nationally and internationally as a leading figure in Taekwondo, and as a tireless organizer and as a dedicated master teacher.
The United Taekwondo Association over witch Grandmaster Ahn presides, is made up of over 200 schools in the Eastern United Sates. These schools are affiliated, via the Association, with the U.S. Taekwondo Union and the World Taekwondo Federation. These schools, under Grandmaster Ahn's direction, have trained over 15,000 students in taekwondo. Grandmaster Ahn has trained over 500 Black Belts, including some to the level of Master many of his students have gone on the national recognition in competition and international recognition for there instructor and refereeing skills.
Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn
Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn immigrated to the United States in the summer of 1967. At the time he began instruction with the R.O.T.C. program at the University of Cincinnati.
After the University of Cincinnati program was established, a commercial school, Ahn’s Taekwondo College, was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first gup certificates were awarded to students in September of 1969.
In 1971 the Untied Taekwondo Association Ahn(UTA) was founded by Grandmaster Ahn. His vision was for the UTA to serve as an organization to facilitate the development and spread of Taekwondo in the United States. It was to be a vehicle through which students and instructors who did not have the benefit of a Grandmaster to receive assistance without the politics of the Kwans - which was an issue in Korea.
As the focus of Taekwondo shifted to recognition as an Olympic sport in the 1980’s, the UTA’s influence and operations were confined to a regional, rather than a national scope. The purpose was still the same - to assist students and instructors who approached the UTA in their time of need.
Today the UTA acts as the rank repository for Black Belts and color belts who have tested directly with Grandmaster Ahn or one of his affiliated schools. In addition, the UTA’s Board of Masters is responsible for promotion Testing and curriculum review and development.
Our goal is to expand the influence of the UTA through the development of our existing schools and to attract new schools and club members across the United States. In addition to providing assistance with rank documentation, the plans are to assist member schools and clubs by offering additional benefits.
After the University of Cincinnati program was established, a commercial school, Ahn’s Taekwondo College, was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first gup certificates were awarded to students in September of 1969.
In 1971 the Untied Taekwondo Association Ahn(UTA) was founded by Grandmaster Ahn. His vision was for the UTA to serve as an organization to facilitate the development and spread of Taekwondo in the United States. It was to be a vehicle through which students and instructors who did not have the benefit of a Grandmaster to receive assistance without the politics of the Kwans - which was an issue in Korea.
As the focus of Taekwondo shifted to recognition as an Olympic sport in the 1980’s, the UTA’s influence and operations were confined to a regional, rather than a national scope. The purpose was still the same - to assist students and instructors who approached the UTA in their time of need.
Today the UTA acts as the rank repository for Black Belts and color belts who have tested directly with Grandmaster Ahn or one of his affiliated schools. In addition, the UTA’s Board of Masters is responsible for promotion Testing and curriculum review and development.
Our goal is to expand the influence of the UTA through the development of our existing schools and to attract new schools and club members across the United States. In addition to providing assistance with rank documentation, the plans are to assist member schools and clubs by offering additional benefits.
President of the United Taekwondo Association Ahn
Grandmaster August K. O'neal
The United Taekwondo Association Ahn is led by Grandmaster August K. O'neal with his martial arts career spanning over five decades, Grandmaster O'neal is a true pioneer in the realm of traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Filipino martial arts.
In November 2020, Grandmaster O'neal received the prestigious 9th Dan from Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn, making him the sole recipient of this esteemed honor. His exceptional skills and unwavering dedication to the martial arts have earned him the position of President of the United Taekwondo Association Ahn. Having imparted his knowledge to over 10,000 students, Grandmaster O'neal's impact on the martial arts community is unparalleled. In April 2011, he was rightfully elected into the United States Grandmaster Society, a testament to his exceptional contributions and expertise. With his remarkable 53 years of martial arts experience, Grandmaster O'neal brings an unmatched level of wisdom and insight to his teachings. For 46 years, he has been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless individuals through his expertise in Taekwondo and personal Self Defense.
The heart of Grandmaster August K. O'neal's system lies in the fusion of Traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Filipino martial arts. Our Self Defense program is designed to cater to individuals aged 4 and above, ensuring that people of all ages can learn the invaluable skills of self-protection.
At our multifaceted martial arts institution, we specialize in traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, Self Defense, and Weapons training. Our mission is to empower every student with Elite Self-Defense skills while nurturing core values such as respect, honor, integrity, self-esteem, and self-discipline. Whether you are seeking physical fitness, personal growth, or self-defense prowess, our diverse range of martial arts disciplines is tailored to meet your individual goals. Experience the transformative power of martial arts with us today.
In November 2020, Grandmaster O'neal received the prestigious 9th Dan from Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn, making him the sole recipient of this esteemed honor. His exceptional skills and unwavering dedication to the martial arts have earned him the position of President of the United Taekwondo Association Ahn. Having imparted his knowledge to over 10,000 students, Grandmaster O'neal's impact on the martial arts community is unparalleled. In April 2011, he was rightfully elected into the United States Grandmaster Society, a testament to his exceptional contributions and expertise. With his remarkable 53 years of martial arts experience, Grandmaster O'neal brings an unmatched level of wisdom and insight to his teachings. For 46 years, he has been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless individuals through his expertise in Taekwondo and personal Self Defense.
The heart of Grandmaster August K. O'neal's system lies in the fusion of Traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Filipino martial arts. Our Self Defense program is designed to cater to individuals aged 4 and above, ensuring that people of all ages can learn the invaluable skills of self-protection.
At our multifaceted martial arts institution, we specialize in traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, Self Defense, and Weapons training. Our mission is to empower every student with Elite Self-Defense skills while nurturing core values such as respect, honor, integrity, self-esteem, and self-discipline. Whether you are seeking physical fitness, personal growth, or self-defense prowess, our diverse range of martial arts disciplines is tailored to meet your individual goals. Experience the transformative power of martial arts with us today.
Grandmaster Randolph Smith, Sr.
Grandmaster Smith began training in martial arts in 1958. He currently holds the rank of 8th Dan in Taekwondo. Grandmaster Smith developed the UTA Weapons program, and he has been teaching the study of weapons to martial artists for over 30 years.
The UTA Classic Weapons Program. The chief instructor for the program is Grandmaster Randolph Smith, Sr.
The martial arts history of Korea is rich in tradition. Unfortunately, due to circumstances such as the Confucian influence on Korean culture and the occupation of the Korean republic by the Japanese, much of the documented history of Korean martial arts – specifically weapons – was lost.
The UTA Classic Weapons Program has been developed to re-affirm the place of the use of traditional Korean weapons and to perpetuate their influence within the Korean martial arts. While there are common threads that run through the eastern martial arts such as Taekwondo, Karate, and Tai Chi, there are also elements that are uniquely Korean. We will celebrate those for what they are, within the context of the new program.
The UTA Classic Weapons Program. The chief instructor for the program is Grandmaster Randolph Smith, Sr.
The martial arts history of Korea is rich in tradition. Unfortunately, due to circumstances such as the Confucian influence on Korean culture and the occupation of the Korean republic by the Japanese, much of the documented history of Korean martial arts – specifically weapons – was lost.
The UTA Classic Weapons Program has been developed to re-affirm the place of the use of traditional Korean weapons and to perpetuate their influence within the Korean martial arts. While there are common threads that run through the eastern martial arts such as Taekwondo, Karate, and Tai Chi, there are also elements that are uniquely Korean. We will celebrate those for what they are, within the context of the new program.
Mr.TaylorMr. Titus Taylor Currently holds the rank of 5th Dan in Taekwondo. He started training under the late Grand Master Luther Secrease at Merritt College in Oakland, CA in 1979. Grand Master Secrease later purchased his Do Jang from his teacher Grand Master Byong Yu in Berkeley, CA. Mr. Taylor studied, trained and received his 1st Dan Black belt at the Berkeley studio in 1996. He was the assistant instructor to Grand Master Secrease at Laney College from 1993 to the time of his passing in September of 2008. He received his 2nd Dan Black belt November of 2000 and his 3rd in April 2012. He was the head Instructor of Taekwondo at Secrease's Taekwondo South Bay in Los Altos Ca. With Mr Lawrence Chang as his Assistant Instructor. He is currently Training with Grand Master O'neal at Ahn Taekwondo Institute CA. In the Masters Program studying Hapkido, Traditional Taekwondo and Weapons. He received his 5th Dan from Grand Master O'neal in 2023.
He has taught Taekwondo at Full Force Fitness in Mountain View, CA., Self Defense Classes for The City Of Oakland in association with the Department Of Parks And Recreation. He has conducted self defense training seminars for Corporations, Colleges, Churches, Non-Profit Organizations and Private Individuals. He is currently retired from the Oakland Police Department with over 28 years of service, performing duties that include Jail Training Officer, and Defensive Tactics Instructor of jail personnel, He is a P.O.S.T(Police Officer Standards and Training), and STC (Standards And Training For Corrections) certified as a Weaponless Defense Instructor, Crime Prevention Specialist, C.P.T.E.D(Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) Practitioner and a member of the National Crime Prevention Council. He has conducted self defense and personal safety trainings for Clorox Corp, Red Cross, Pepsico, Alameda County Adult Protective Service, UCR, University Of California Office Of The President, EBMUD, Mills College, Holy Names University and is frequently asked to conduct presentations at the annual progressive Baptist Church State Convention. |
Mr.AmponMr. Benjaminari A. Ampon started training at the age of 3 in 1996 with Grandmaster O'neal. He received his first Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo in 2007, and his second Dan in 2015. Mr. Ampon is currently a 5th Dan black belt and he is currently in the Master Program. He is Head Instructor for the Taekwondo program and father of 2 girls and husband to a beautiful wife who are all actively involved in Martial Arts. He has spent the majority of his life involved in martial arts and is devoted in helping people develop them self's through martial arts.
|
Mr. ChangMr. Lawrence Chang currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan in TaeKwonDo. He received his 3rd Dan Black Belt from Grand Master O’Neal in 2022. He started training under the late Grand Master Luther Secrease at Laney College in 1990. Mr. Chang received his 1st Dan Black Belt in April 2012 and 2nd Dan Black Belt in April 2016 under the instruction and guidance of Mr. Taylor, Master Mohammed and Master Gregory. Mr. Chang was the co-founder and assistant instructor of Secrease’s Martial Arts Academy South in Los Altos. Mr. Chang has also taught self defense seminars for women and teen girls throughout the community and helping professionals get and stay in shape with his customer personal training programs. Currently, he is training with Grand Master O’Neal in our masters program Studying Hapkido, Traditional Taekwondo and Weapons at Ahn’s TaeKwonDo.
|
Mrs.AmponMrs. Stefany Ampon has been training with Grandmaster O'neal since 2015, She is currently a 3rd Dan black belt. She has been teaching since 2020 and is great with teaching both kids and adults. She is head of our Women's Empowerment Program and Assistant Instructor for the Taekwondo Program. She is the instructor for the Baby Tigers Program. Mrs. Ampon is the head of the Parents Association, Secretary for the school.
|