About Taekwondo

Taekwondo is the official national martial art of South Korea. Its origins are heavily influenced by karate combined with elements of Chinese martial arts and traditional Korean martial arts. “Taekwondo" can be translated as tae ("strike with foot"), kwon ("strike with hand"), and do ("the art or way") or "the way of the foot and fist”. It emphasizes kicking and punching techniques, as well as discipline, respect, and moral development.

Traditional Taekwondo (ITF) vs World Taekwondo (WTF)

ITF focuses on traditional martial arts: self-defense, discipline, power, classic technique, with semi-contact sparring; while WTF focuses on commercial sport and full-contact Olympic-style sparring.

Origins of Sun Yi’s Academy

Chief Grand Master Chae Sun Yi began his martial arts journey in the 1950’s in South Korea. In the 1970’s he came to the United States to promote Taekwondo beyond Korea. He opened the first Sun Yi’s Academy school in Salina, Kansas, in 1975, and later moved to Topeka, Kansas where he opened the Sun Yi’s Academy National Headquaters in 1976. Chief Grand Master Yi founded the Traditional Taekwondo Association (TTA) in 1984. Sun Yi’s Academy has locations in KS, MN, NC, CA, TX, and CO. Chief Grandmaster Yi’s is present and teaching at the National Headquarters in Topeka, Kansas to this day.

Training Elements

  • Forms (Poomsae): Prearranged sequences of movements simulating attacks and defenses against multiple imagines opponents

  • Sparring (Kyorugi): Controlled sparring using full-range techniques

  • Self-Defense (Hosinsul): Practical escapes, strikes, and throws against grabs, holds and weapon threats.

  • Supplemental Skills: Breaking boards (Gyeokpa) to test focus and power, plus flexibility and breathing exercises.

Meet the Instructors

Junior Master Andrew Nugent

4th Dan Black Belt, Internationally Certified Instructor

Instructor Addison O’Hanen

3rd Dan Black Belt, Internationally Certified Instructor

Assistant Instructor Ashley O’Hanen

2nd Dan Black Belt