American Taekwondo Association

There are still many Arkansans who don’t realize that the world’s most successful martial arts program is based in Little Rock.

With more than 350,000 students trained by more than 3,000 certified instructors around the world, the American Taekwondo Association is the only player in the martial arts industry to offer the package of instruction, supplies and billing under a single roof.

The ATA, which is now dedicated to the martial arts discipline of song-ahm taekwondo, is the founding organization of international affiliates like the World Traditional Taekwondo Union and the Songahm Taekwondo Federa-tion.

“The self-confidence taught in leadership programs, eliminated stress through physical health and creating future leaders in children continually broadens the concept of self-defense as we know it,” said Jennifer Wolff, public relations director for the ATA. “As a result, in 2005, the ATA has set a goal of a 20 percent increase in membership.”

The company’s founder, Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee, moved to the United States to help better society “one black belt a time.” Lee’s unique system integrates life skills such as self-confidence and respect with physical training, and the result is the organization’s undeniable success.

The ATA is growing so fast, it cites as its biggest challenge trying to produce enough quality, certified instructors to meet the demand of an increasing bunch of students.

Originally founded in Omaha, Neb., in 1969, ATA moved in 1977 to Little, where it brings in thousands of competitors each year during its annual championship tournament and other events.

Though 75 percent of ATA’s 350,000 students are 12 years old or younger, new programs like an advanced self-defense curriculum and the ATA Xtreme Martial Arts are aimed at men and women of all ages.