Top U.S. Taekwando Academy Opens School in St. Michael

There’s a new school in town, a taekwondo school that is. World Taekwondo Academy, known as the No. 1 martial arts school in the country, has opened their newest location in Colonial Mall in St. Michael. Open since Sept. 13, and the school has both adult and children students already enrolled.

“Besides the drop box outside, flyers at the parade and some direct mail that went out, we haven’t advertised at all,” Master Patrick Hoth, the school’s director shared.

The World Taekwondo Academy was started in 1969 by Great Grandmaster Lee who had come from Korea and had a ninth-degree black belt, now his son, Grandmaster Eui Y Lee who is a seventh-degree black belt runs the school. He has one of the highest ranks in the country and also works as an Olympic coach.

Hoth himself started learning taekwondo in 1985 because his best friend was in it and earned his first-degree black belt in 1993.

“I’d been interested and talking about opening a taekwondo studio for some time but was also working full time as a teacher and most recently an assistant principal [in the St. Francis schools]. My position was cut [at school] so after talking with Master Lee, this was the time,” Hoth shared.

Lee found the location and construction began to transform what used to be the St. Michael Public Library into a taekwondo studio.

The difference between taekwondo and other martial art sports is that taekwondo is from Korea and is the art of the hand and the foot.

“It’s also a recognized Olympic sport,” Hoth said.

While the school does focus on martial arts, as they grow they will be offering other classes as well including CrossFit, after school programs, self defense classes and a bullying program.

“The bullying program is verbal judo program developed by Dr. George Thompson and World Taekwondo Academy is the only one licensed to do the program in Minnesota,” Hoth said. The program helps kids learn the art of de-escalation through words and will be aimed at elementary and middle school students.

Hoth is quick to point out the school’s purpose, “one of our main purposes is to develop leaders and make us better people.”

Classes have begun but one can enroll themselves or their children at any time. Classes are available for ages 3 and up. Hoth even encourages parents to take classes with their kids, “the families that kick together, stick together.”

Hoth also pointed out that, “just as many girls and women are in taekwondo as boys, because of core strength. It’s a great sport to give women and girls more confidence.”

The World Taekwondo Academy believes in their school and teaching so strongly that when one registers their first month and their uniform are free and there is no commitment.

“All we ask is that if you choose not to continue that you return the uniform so that it can be donated,” he said.

The used uniforms are then donated to third world countries with developing taekwondo programming.

“We hope to add more classes and continue to grow here in the community, we’re excited to be here,” Hoth shared.