Master El, founder and Master instructor of Universal Martial Arts Ministry, a not-for-profit, faith-based organization that teaches Taekwondo in Lansing, Illinois, has announced the inaugural national Taekwondo championships in Highland, Indiana, for July 30, 2022.

Master El has over 20 years of Taekwondo experience as an instructor and was a student of Supreme Grand Master Bok Man Kim, one of Taekwondo’s legendary technical founders, until Kim’s death in 2021.

Master El and several other Taekwondo schools will compete in the championships at the Lincoln Recreational Center at 2450 Lincoln Street in Highland, Indiana.

The purpose of the July tournament is to provide students with an opportunity to compete with schools and meet Masters and Grand Masters from across the country. Though logistics are still being finalized, other martial arts schools participating in this year’s tournament are:

• Complete Martial Arts of Roseland, New Jersey, operated by Grand Master Brad Shipp
• Integrity Martial Arts of Firestone, Colorado, operated by Grand Masters Daniel Gaul and Deborah Hinkle
• Boscobel Martial Arts Academy from Boscobel, Wisconsin, operated by Grand Master Ray Saint
• and a host of others.

Master El estimates that pproximately 200 competitors will participate in this year’s tournament. Competitors will receive trophies and medals which signify their accomplishments and status throughout the tournament.

Through Universal Martial Arts Ministry (UMAM), Master El and his instructors teach more than 100 students at their Do Jang Temple on Ridge Road in Lansing, Illinois.

Read the full story in the Lansing Journal >