Authentic Taekwondo Is Disappearing.
We're Keeping It Alive.
Most martial arts schools have traded tradition for trends. At USTMA, we believe real Taekwondo comes from real lineage — and we've been proving it since 1987.
Why Most Martial Arts Schools Have It Wrong
Anyone can hand out a belt. What is rare is a school where the belt still means what it meant thirty years ago — where rank is tied to demonstrated skill, and where the person teaching your child learned the curriculum from the man who brought it here from Korea.
The tradition, the discipline, the lineage — the things that actually transform a student's life — get treated as optional. At USTMA they are the point. We still have fun: camps, parties, tournaments. But the standard behind the belt never moves.
The USTMA Standard
Authentic Lineage
Grandmaster Eung Gil Choi trained in Korea and holds a 9th degree black belt — the highest rank in Taekwondo. Every technique taught at USTMA traces directly back to Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo headquarters in Seoul. This is not franchise martial arts. This is the real thing.
A Family Legacy
Grandmaster Choi's two sons lead the academies today — Master John Choi at Leesburg and Master James Choi at Berryville. Master Al, Master John's wife, teaches alongside him in Leesburg. One family, one system, one standard. When the instructor matters, lineage matters.
Character Over Trophies
Belts are earned, never given. Discipline, respect, and perseverance are built into every class — not as a tagline, but as a requirement. Students don't just learn to kick. They learn to lead.
Nearly 40 Years, Same Standard
Founded in 1987, USTMA has never compromised on quality to chase growth. Two locations, two generations, one unwavering commitment to authentic Taekwondo. Families who trained here 20 years ago now bring their own children.
Grandmaster Eung Gil Choi
Degree Black Belt
Founded USTMA
Physical Education
Grandmaster Choi didn't build USTMA to run a business. He built it to preserve an art form. Trained in Korea and certified through Kukkiwon — the World Taekwondo headquarters — he brought authentic martial arts to Virginia nearly four decades ago. With a Master's degree in Physical Education and a lifetime dedicated to the craft, he set a standard that defines everything USTMA is today.
Experience the Difference
See what authentic Taekwondo looks like. Sign up for a free trial week and train under real masters.