Martial Arts Academy
Martial Arts Academy was founded 1976 in Aiken, South Carolina. Grand Master Blocker has coached over 50 students in the trials for the U.S. National (Olympic) Team every year since 1988.
Incorporated in 1983, MAA functions as a community-level, grassroots organization dedicated to family and community improvement through an outreach to "at-risk" youth and their families. MAA provides intervention to minimize the damaging effects of poverty and disadvantaged socioeconomic status, and fosters leadership development to positively influence the lives of America's youth. MAA uses the Olympic sport of Taekwondo to create an educational environment through the positive tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance and self-control. The MAA uses professionally trained instructors for all classes.
Our instructors are trained exclusively in our system and have an average of ten years of experience. The unique curriculum is an educational sports program tailored to meet the needs of both children and adults. The Martial Art Academy Sport Taekwondo Center is also a non-profit organization.
Incorporated in 1983, MAA functions as a community-level, grassroots organization dedicated to family and community improvement through an outreach to "at-risk" youth and their families. MAA provides intervention to minimize the damaging effects of poverty and disadvantaged socioeconomic status, and fosters leadership development to positively influence the lives of America's youth. MAA uses the Olympic sport of Taekwondo to create an educational environment through the positive tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance and self-control. The MAA uses professionally trained instructors for all classes.
Our instructors are trained exclusively in our system and have an average of ten years of experience. The unique curriculum is an educational sports program tailored to meet the needs of both children and adults. The Martial Art Academy Sport Taekwondo Center is also a non-profit organization.
Lead Instructors
Grand Master Andrew Blocker
Grand Master Blocker holds an 8th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, 4th Degree Black Belt in Shito-Ryu Karate, 4th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido, 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, and 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate. Practicing Taekwondo for nearly 50 years has taught Grand Master Blocker a melding of the physical and mental realms of life. He has dedicated his life to passing those lessons onto others. Community leaders have an amazing opportunity to positively influence today's communities. Grand Master Blocker is a prime example of community leadership as his Taekwondo programs have helped thousands of students succeed in competition and more importantly in life. He named is academy the Martial Arts Academy and made it affordable so that children ages 4-18 could have a safe place to go after shool. Accomplishments: Grand Master Andrew Blocker has gained an extensive network of colleagues and friends in the sport of Taekwondo, the school system, law enforcement and in the United States Marines. His program has allowed his Taekwondo students to compete internationally and therefore helped to expand the students' outlook on the world. He has been recognized for the following accomplishments: • Young Marine Core Program • Olympic Trails 1980-present • 1,000 tournaments. • Coached Olympic Team Trials 1988–2004 • 300+ students to Junior Olympics • Teams to International, National, and U.S. Open • Partner and Coach 1996 U.S. Open • Coached over 15 International Championships 1985-2006 • International Championship • Pan-Am and Pan-Am Games • British, Dutch and French Open • World Games |
Master Yolanda Bennett
Head Instructor, Ms. Yolanda Bennett, went through rigorous training with Grand Master Blocker and gained her 5th Degree Black Belt. Today she is using what she learned from Grand Master Blocker to teach and encourage youth. Master Bennett loved Taekwondo so much that she came back after getting her bachelor's degree in Business and Computer Programming to teach with Grand Master Blocker and encourage more students to become champions and pursue successful careers. Today, she continues to put her talents into helping youth and adults alike. Accomplishments:
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