Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Martial Arts Academy in Indianapolis Since 1974
Founded in 1974 by Grand Master Chul Koo Yoon, Korea Taekwondo Academy has established itself as Indiana's leader in martial arts instruction for over five decades. Our mission centers on developing students' full potential through a unique, proven training methodology that fosters discipline, focus, and confidence. We maintain a low student-instructor ratio with a team of internationally certified Black Belts, including Grand Master Garth Cooley, an 8th Degree Black Belt recognized as Indiana Instructor of the Year by USA Taekwondo. Our state-of-the-art facility accommodates diverse programs for children, adults, and families, emphasizing individualized instruction without mandatory long-term contracts.We integrate traditional Taekwondo principles with modern training techniques to address both physical self-defense and mental resilience, producing national-level athletes while making martial arts accessible to all age groups. Our family-oriented approach has strengthened community bonds through shared training experiences, evidenced by decades of student testimonials highlighting personal growth and academic improvement.
Services
Children's Taekwondo
Adult Martial Arts
Family Training
Gumdo Sword Classes
Sport Taekwondo
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- 50+ years of proven success in martial arts instruction
- Led by internationally recognized masters and medalists
- No mandatory long-term contracts required
- Family programs with discounted rates available
- Certified instructors with decades of competitive experience
Associations and certifications
- Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters
- World Haidong Gumdo Federation
What people say
Increased confidence
Positive energy
Family bond
Mental discipline
Professional instruction
Services
Children's Taekwondo
Specialized daily classes for children combining Taekwondo fundamentals with character development. Our curriculum improves focus, discipline, and respect while teaching self-defense techniques. Students benefit from structured drills that enhance coordination and confidence, with proven academic performance improvements observed in consistent participants.
Adult Martial Arts
Tailored programs for adult learners available during lunch breaks or evenings. Training emphasizes self-defense, stress relief, and physical fitness while maintaining traditional Taekwondo principles. Participants develop mental resilience through structured forms practice and controlled sparring, with flexible scheduling accommodating professional lifestyles.
Family Training
Concurrent classes fostering family bonds through shared martial arts instruction. Our approach strengthens intergenerational relationships while teaching universal values like perseverance and mutual respect. Families train together in modified techniques suitable for all ages, with discounted rate structures for multiple participants.
Gumdo Sword Training
Advanced program for Black Belts teaching traditional Korean sword techniques. Curriculum includes forms, sparring, and precision cutting with historical weaponry. Instructors certified through the World Haidong Gumdo Federation guide students through 2,000-year-old Samurang swordsmanship traditions.
Sport Taekwondo
Olympic-style program preparing students for regional and national competitions. Specialized instruction covers sparring, forms, and board breaking with tournament strategies. Led by Grand Master Cooley, former U.S. National Team Captain and director of the Indy Cup Championships since 1996.
People
Grand Master Garth Cooley
Lead Instructor
8th Degree Black Belt and former U.S. National Team Captain with decades of competitive success. Recognized as Indiana Instructor of the Year and Taekwondo Master of the Year, he developed KTA's unique training methodology.
David Bickel
Head Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt trained under Grand Masters Cooley and Yoon for a decade. Oversees daily operations and tournament preparation with six years of leadership experience at KTA.
Michelle Bickel
Co-Owner
Manages academy operations and community relations with a focus on creating welcoming environments for families. Coordinates major events including the Cooley Memorial Invitational.
Alex Bickel
Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt with specialized expertise in youth instruction. Trained under Grand Master Cooley for ten years, emphasizing confidence-building techniques for younger students.
Larry Klutzke
Gumdo Master
5th Dan certified instructor specializing in Korean sword arts. Teaches traditional Haidong Gumdo techniques with emphasis on precision control and historical forms.
Questions
What martial arts programs do you offer?
We specialize in Taekwondo for all ages, Gumdo sword training for Black Belts, and competitive Sport Taekwondo programs.
Are family classes available?
Yes, we offer concurrent family training sessions with discounted rates for multiple participants.
Do you require long-term contracts?
No, KTA operates without mandatory contracts, allowing flexible participation based on student satisfaction.
What age groups do you teach?
Our programs accommodate children as young as 5 through adults in their 60s with tailored instruction methods.
Are there competitive opportunities?
Yes, we provide Sport Taekwondo training for sparring, forms, and board breaking competitions at various levels.
How do you ensure quality instruction?
All instructors hold international certifications through Kukkiwon with decades of teaching and competitive experience.
