The Capital City TaekwonDo club opened as a part of the First United Methodist Church Youth program in March of 1997 and continues to meet at 6:30 every Tuesday and Thursday evening in the Christian Life Center. The program serves families and youth from the church and the community, teaching the art of Korean TaekwonDo, and the principles of courtesy, self-control, and perseverance.
Over the years, Capital City TaekwonDo has trained over a hundred students. Twelve of them have tested for the rank of black belt, and the club has two black belt candidates due to test this year. Among those earning their black belts are three church members from the same family, a one-time church staff member, and a young lady who has since entered the ministry.

The club currently has approximately twenty-five active students ranging in age from seven to sixty. This activity provides a wonderful opportunity for families, couples, or a parent and child to enjoy an active, educational activity together. On a typical night in class, students practice one or more of the five parts of TaekwonDo physical training: sparring, self-defense, fundamental movements, patterns, and conditioning.

Club instructors, Matt and Gwen Blotevogel, are 5th Degree black belts in the United States TaekwonDo Federation. Their instructor, Senior Master Bill Stephenson, is a 7th degree black belt teaching in Kirksville, MO.
Anyone interested in learning more about the program is invited to call the club instructors at 634-5944 or email blotevogel@embarqmail.com. New classes are scheduled to begin on August 17.

Tenets of Taekwon-Do

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-Control
Indomitable Spirit

Student Oath

I will observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do

I will respect my seniors and elders

I will never misuse Taekwon-Do

I will be a champion of freedom and justice

I will build a more peaceful world