Pioneers of Korean Karate (taekwondo) in the USA

In 1976, Keith D. Yates, one of the original black belts of Allen R. Steen (the Father of Texas Karate) founded the Southwest Tae Kwon Do Association. It was the early days of the martial arts in America, and there were few associations which maintained quality standards and credible programs for both instructors and students. The group was born out of that need, and that need has driven it for five decades.

In 1996, we became the American Karate and Tae Kwon Do Organization, with membership standards for individuals and schools for two divisions—Korean arts and arts with Japanese/Okinawan origin.