Dr. Kim’s Taekwondo & Martial Arts was founded by Grandmaster Tiger Kim, one of the leading Taekwondo instructors and educators in the world. Grandmaster Kim also founded the University of Kentucky Taekwondo Club in 1990 and served as its head coach. He has earned international recognition for his Taekwondo skills and teaching methods and directs all of his efforts to bringing the benefits of Taekwondo to the Bluegrass region of Kentucky.
Grandmaster Kim opened Dr. Kim’s Taekwondo & Martial Arts in 2010 to introduce the true meaning of martial arts to Kentuckians. He focuses on not only the physical aspect of Taekwondo, but also the mental aspect, which is important for children and adults today. He always tries to teach his students to respect others in a fun environment.
Grandmaster Tiger Kim, Ph.D.
Founder & President
- Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Kentucky
- KUKKIWON World Champion
- USA National Taekwondo Team Member
- Pan America Taekwondo Champion
- USAT National Champion
- USAT Grand Prix Champion
- US OPEN International Champion
- ATU National Champion
- Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
- Presidential Advisor on Democratic & Peaceful Unification in Korea
- President of the Korean American Society of Kentucky
- KUKKIWON 8th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo
- Moo Duk Kwan 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo
- ITF 7th Degree Black Belt in Teuk Gong Moo Sool
- KUKKIWON Taekwondo Professor
- World Hanmadang Referee
- WT International Referee
- USAT National Referee
Academically, Grandmaster Kim received a Ph.D. in political science in 1995 at the University of Kentucky. He has taught political science at the University of Kentucky, Georgetown College, and Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. He published numerous journal articles and books in the field of international relations and martial arts.
Grandmaster Kim received a Citation on December 19th, 2011 from President Choe Chungwon (World Taekwondo) in recognition of his dedicated service and outstanding contribution to the development of Taekwondo. He received a Certificate of Appreciation on September 4th, 2014 from Chairman Bae Jhong Shin (Taekwondo Promotion Foundation) in recognition of his contribution to the development and globalization of Taekwondo with outstanding passion and effort. He also received a Letter of Commendation on September 23rd, 2016 from President Oh Hyun-Deuk (KUKKIWON) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development and dissemination of Taekwondo.
Grandmaster Kim married Dr. Sue Kim, M.D., and has one daughter, Krystal, and one son, Kai, who take martial arts classes to improve physical fitness, self-defense techniques, and valuable life skills to enrich their mind and body.
Kai Kim
- KUKKIWON World Champion
- USAT National Champion
- US OPEN International Champion
- Massachusetts State Champion
- Connecticut State Champion
- Ohio State Champion
Grandmaster Kim has strong interests in teaching special needs children and children in the public/private school systems. He has been teaching and volunteering with students in public and private schools to introduce the benefits of Taekwondo to our local community. In the past, he taught Taekwondo to more than 5,000 students annually between field days, physical education, and health/fitness classes. Also, he has been teaching an after-school martial arts program regularly at Rosa Parks Elementary for over ten years.
Grandmaster Kim is currently serving as the President of the Korean American Associations of the United States of America to represent and help Korean-American people in our community and around the country. He previously served as President of the Korean American Association of Kentucky and has been working with Mayor Linda Gorton of Lexington (the horse capital of the world) to establish a sister-city relationship with Jeju City (the horse capital of Korea).
