World Martial Arts Academy - Crestwood
World Martial Arts Academy - Crestwood
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The Director of World Martial Arts Academy Crestwood Master Winkler I began training in Taekwondo at 22, after graduating from Parks College of St. Louis University with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. Without the constraints of homework every night I was able to focus my efforts in a new direction. I was always intrigued by the martial arts and decided to invest my time in the martial arts. I looked in the phone book and there were two martial arts schools in the small town I had taken a job in. I went to one and was tremendously impressed by the instruction I saw taking place and immediately signed up for classes. All I wanted was to compete in the martial arts and I had luckily entered the right place. My Sabumnim (respected instructor) was the U.S. team coach in Taekwondo, Sang Chul Lee. He was very instrumental in getting Taekwondo to become an Olympic sport and in fielding the U.S. Olympic team. I was so lucky to have gone to that dojang. In the early 80s Sang Lee’s dojang was the place to be. He regularly had the U.S. Taekwondo team visit our dojang to train under him. In fact members of the Egyptian, Spanish, German, Mexican and Canadian team were regular guests in our dojang too. After training under his instruction for only twenty months I competed in the N.Y. State championships. I was only a blue 1st but in those days red belts were allowed to compete in the black belt division and I was only 2 weeks away from testing to red belt. Sabumnim allowed me to compete as a black belt and I won. After that I remained undefeated in New York until I moved to Tampa Florida with a job change. I competed at the national level and rose to the top 12 in the country in the heavy weight division and continued to compete in Florida. After two years in Tampa I moved back home to St. Louis with a job at McDonnell Douglas Training Systems. Once I arrived here I called my Sabumnim and asked him who to see in St. Louis about Taekwondo. He strongly recommended Grand Master Rho. I have been with Grand Master Rho ever since, initially as a student and athlete, then as a director of World Martial Arts Academy Crestwood just prior to World Martial Arts Academy growing from 3 schools to 9. Being part of that growth was awesome. We experienced tremendous expansion. During that time Grand Master Rho was the president of the Missouri State Taekwondo Association, a position I have taken over for the last 8 years. Our dojang tends to consider the sport aspect of the art a little more than the other 8 locations. So if you are ready and willing to go the extra mile to become one of the best in Black Belt Excellence, WELCOME. |
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Mrs. Suzanne Winkler 3rd Degree Black Belt She began training at World Martial Arts Academy in May of 1997 with her son Michael Parker, Jr. During her tenure at World Martial Arts Academy, she has been the Missouri State Gold Medallist in Olympic style sparring five years in a row (1998-2002). In addition she earned medals in Olympic style sparring at U.S. National competitions (Gold Medal in 1998, Gold Medal in 2001, Bronze Medal in 2002, and Silver Medal in 2004). In 2005 her focus moved to the studying of Poomsae and for the past five years Mrs. Winkler has been studying Poomsae in depth covering both World Taekwondo Federation and International Taekwondo Federation poomsae. In December of 2008 she attended the 1st Poomsae Seminar ever offered in the United States by Kukkiwon. In April of 2009 she attended the 1st U.S. Seminar for Hanmadang Referee Certification offered by Kukkiwon. From that seminar she was selected and participated as a National Referee for the 1st U.S. Open Hanmadang held in June of 2009. Suzanne is continuing her training towards Master Level with continued emphasis on poomsae, sport Taekwondo (refereeing), and additional training in self-defense techniques. |
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Justin Ruder 1st Degree Black Belt. He began training at World Martial Arts Academy in the summer of 1993 with his father and his sister. In 2006 after college he relocated back to the area and he resumed his Taekwondo training finishing his black belt course of study. Justin immediately began pursuing his 2nd degree and is working feverishly towards that goal. Justin graduated from Webster University with a Masters of Art and Teaching - Math. Currently he is a math teacher at the St. Louis Community College – Wildwood. |
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Charlie Rollins 1st Degree Black Belt. He began training at World Martial Arts Academy in the summer of 1998. He is currently a student at St. Louis Community College – Meramec campus. |
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Michael Parker Jr. 2nd Degree Black Belt. He began training at World Martial Arts Academy with his mother in May of 1997. Michael has been a member of our competition team and has been the Missouri State Champion in Olympic Style Sparring twice. Michael is currently a student at South East Missouri State University. Ultimately he plans to become a Master of Taekwondo, eventually running his own dojang. |
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Jimmy Voots 1st degree Black Belt. He began training at World Martial Arts Academy in September of 1995. Jimmy has been a member of our competition team and state champion in Olympic Style Sparring. Jimmy was working towards his 2nd degree Black Belt when he was diagnosed with ALS – Lou Gherigs disease. Jimmy currently lives near his sisters in an assisted living center close to Springfield Il. |
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James Licavoli 2nd Degree Black Belt. He began his training in April of 1999. James has been a member of our competition team for 3 years. He is currently a student at St. John Vianney High School. |
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Devin Murphy 1st Degree Black Belt. He began his training at World Martial Arts Academy in July of 2000. Devin has been a member of our competition team for 1 year. He is a currently a student at DeSmet Jesuit High School. |
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Curt Lee 3rd Degree Black Belt. He began his training at World Martial Arts Academy in January of 1995. Curt has been a steady member of our competition team for the last 10 years. He is a one time U.S. National Champion in Olympic Style Sparring. Curt has been on staff in one way or another for almost 10 years. He is currently directing his own development towards coaching. |
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Not pictured Katie Hoy Red Belt. Katie is our newest staff member and began training at World Martial Arts Academy with her mom in the summer of 2007. She has been a member of our competition team for two years. In 2009 she and her mom competed in the 1st U.S. Open Hanmadang and medalled in Traditional and Creative Family Poomse. She is currently a student at Affton High School. |
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