Ahn Martial Arts CA Traditional Taekwondo & Self Defense Program
2951 College Ave, Berkeley, CA
About
Ahn Martial Arts CA Traditional Taekwondo & Self Defense Program offers training in traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, self defense, Philippine martial arts, weapons training, Tai Chi, and the UTA Classic Weapons Program. The program includes Kids Martial Arts, Teens & Adults martial arts, and structured groups such as Baby Tigers, Tiger Cubs, Tigers Den, and Kids Martial Arts for ages 3 and up, as well as Teens & Adults. The Traditional Taekwondo Program is described as a comprehensive martial arts journey that covers fundamental techniques, forms, sparring, and self-defense with a safety-first approach where movements are simplified and slowed down, and it uses interactive learning through immersive drills and hands-on practice.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Price: They do not post pricing online and ask prospective students to reach out and set up an enrollment interview to get more information.
Ahn Martial Arts CA describes itself as a distinguished and multifaceted martial arts institution with multifaceted expertise in traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, self defense, and Philippine martial arts. Its mission statement says the program focuses on imparting self-defense skills while emphasizing respect, honor, integrity, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and states that its mission is to empower every student with elite self-defense skills while nurturing those core values.
The leadership team includes Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn, founder of the United Taekwondo Association Ahn (UTA), which was founded in 1971 and acts as the rank repository for Black Belts and color belts who have tested directly with him or affiliated schools. Grandmaster August K. O'neal is President of the Ahn Martial Arts Association CA, has over five decades in martial arts, has taught over 10,000 students, was elected into the United States Grandmaster Society in April 2011, and received the 9th Dan from Grandmaster Ahn in November 2020. Grandmaster Randolph Smith, Sr. is chief instructor for the UTA Classic Weapons Program, began training in 1958, holds the rank of 8th Dan in Taekwondo, developed the UTA Weapons program, and has taught weapons for over 30 years. Mr. Titus Taylor is a 5th Dan in Taekwondo, started training in 1979, has served as an assistant and head instructor in various Taekwondo programs, is currently training with Grandmaster O'neal in the Masters Program, and is retired from the Oakland Police Department with over 28 years of service; he is P.O.S.T and STC certified as a Weaponless Defense Instructor, Crime Prevention Specialist, and CPTED Practitioner and is a member of the National Crime Prevention Council. Mr. Benjaminari A. Ampon, who started training at age 3 in 1996, is a 5th Dan Black Belt in the Master Program and is Head Instructor for the Taekwondo program. Mr. Lawrence Chang started training in 1990, currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan in Taekwondo, and received his 3rd Dan Black Belt from Grandmaster O’Neal in 2022.
The program’s history includes Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn immigrating to the United States in 1967, awarding the first gup certificates at Ahn’s Taekwondo College in 1969, and founding the UTA in 1971, with the UTA’s influence and operations becoming regional as Taekwondo shifted toward Olympic recognition in the 1980s. Community involvement includes conducting self defense and personal safety trainings and seminars for corporations, colleges, churches, non-profit organizations, and private individuals, including Clorox Corp, Red Cross, Pepsico, Alameda County Adult Protective Service, UCR, University of California Office of the President, EBMUD, Mills College, Holy Names University, and presentations at the annual Progressive Baptist Church State Convention.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Price: They do not post pricing online and ask prospective students to reach out and set up an enrollment interview to get more information.
Ahn Martial Arts CA describes itself as a distinguished and multifaceted martial arts institution with multifaceted expertise in traditional Taekwondo, Hapkido, self defense, and Philippine martial arts. Its mission statement says the program focuses on imparting self-defense skills while emphasizing respect, honor, integrity, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and states that its mission is to empower every student with elite self-defense skills while nurturing those core values.
The leadership team includes Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn, founder of the United Taekwondo Association Ahn (UTA), which was founded in 1971 and acts as the rank repository for Black Belts and color belts who have tested directly with him or affiliated schools. Grandmaster August K. O'neal is President of the Ahn Martial Arts Association CA, has over five decades in martial arts, has taught over 10,000 students, was elected into the United States Grandmaster Society in April 2011, and received the 9th Dan from Grandmaster Ahn in November 2020. Grandmaster Randolph Smith, Sr. is chief instructor for the UTA Classic Weapons Program, began training in 1958, holds the rank of 8th Dan in Taekwondo, developed the UTA Weapons program, and has taught weapons for over 30 years. Mr. Titus Taylor is a 5th Dan in Taekwondo, started training in 1979, has served as an assistant and head instructor in various Taekwondo programs, is currently training with Grandmaster O'neal in the Masters Program, and is retired from the Oakland Police Department with over 28 years of service; he is P.O.S.T and STC certified as a Weaponless Defense Instructor, Crime Prevention Specialist, and CPTED Practitioner and is a member of the National Crime Prevention Council. Mr. Benjaminari A. Ampon, who started training at age 3 in 1996, is a 5th Dan Black Belt in the Master Program and is Head Instructor for the Taekwondo program. Mr. Lawrence Chang started training in 1990, currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan in Taekwondo, and received his 3rd Dan Black Belt from Grandmaster O’Neal in 2022.
The program’s history includes Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn immigrating to the United States in 1967, awarding the first gup certificates at Ahn’s Taekwondo College in 1969, and founding the UTA in 1971, with the UTA’s influence and operations becoming regional as Taekwondo shifted toward Olympic recognition in the 1980s. Community involvement includes conducting self defense and personal safety trainings and seminars for corporations, colleges, churches, non-profit organizations, and private individuals, including Clorox Corp, Red Cross, Pepsico, Alameda County Adult Protective Service, UCR, University of California Office of the President, EBMUD, Mills College, Holy Names University, and presentations at the annual Progressive Baptist Church State Convention.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
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