USA Taekwondo
Building Champions, Character, and Community
Interest in martial arts has steadily grown in America over the past decade, and USA Taekwondo is spearheading this movement. As the national governing body for Olympic Taekwondo, the organization supports athlete development, national competitions, education, and pathways to Team USA.
USA Taekwondo provides opportunities for athletes of all ages and skill levels. From beginners learning their first techniques to elite competitors representing the United States on the world stage, the organization helps create a structured path for growth and achievement. Steve McNally has been the CEO of USA Taekwondo since 2017, making him the organization's longest-serving leader in its 50 years of operation. During his tenure, USA Taekwondo has earned medals at every major competition and maintained certification as the National Governing Body for Taekwondo by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Charlotte hosts major events and programs at the U.S. Performance Center at UNCC, including the 2026 U.S. National Championships held in July.
Authenticity is important to USA Taekwondo. The organization practices the Dan black belt system and maintains direct access to the Kukkiwon office, or the World Taekwondo Headquarters, in South Korea. USA Taekwondo adheres to all rules and regulations set by Kukkiwon and the World Taekwondo Federation, ensuring that U.S. instructors and athletes align with the traditions of Taekwondo recognized around the globe. Maintaining these international standards strengthens the credibility of the sport and provides athletes with confidence that their training and certifications are recognized globally. It also helps preserve the rich history and culture that have made Taekwondo one of the world’s most popular martial arts.
Recently, Charlotte has had a great impact on USA Taekwondo by hosting and supporting major events and programs at the U.S. Performance Center, located in the heart of the city on UNC Charlotte’s campus. This training environment, founded by Ike Belk and David Koerner in 2012, has been a big draw for a range of US Olympic and Paralympic teams, from Taekwondo to Archery. The facility serves athletes, U.S. National Team members, and National Governing Bodies of Sport, including USA Taekwondo.
Both youth and elite USA Taekwondo athletes benefit from the Performance Center’s holistic approach to performance training, encompassing physical and mental health and personal quality of life. Likewise, Taekwondo is a sport rooted in integrity, self-control, and personal growth. The U.S. Performance Center and USA Taekwondo share a core vision: being an athlete-first organization. Both organizations care for their athletes and surrounding communities by increasing access and improving outcomes for athletes across North Carolina and beyond.
USA Taekwondo offers an Athlete Membership for those dedicated to the sport. Being a member comes with great benefits, including training camps, online courses, secondary medical insurance, and more. USA Taekwondo also offers a virtual training academy, USA Taekwondo University, featuring world-class Olympic instructors and coaches. This allows Taekwondo athletes in the Charlotte community to learn the sport's necessary skills at their own pace. Program completion qualifies athletes for admission into the USA Taekwondo Athlete Academy. USA Taekwondo is leading the charge for a healthy Charlotte community.
USA Taekwondo trains elite athletes full-time at the U.S. Performance Center located at UNC Charlotte.
As USA Taekwondo continues to grow the sport across the country, Charlotte remains an important part of that effort. The collaboration between USA Taekwondo and the U.S. Performance Center is helping create new opportunities for athletes while reinforcing the city’s role in advancing Olympic and Paralympic sports in the United States. Through this shared commitment, Charlotte is well positioned to remain a leader in athlete development and a key contributor to USA Taekwondo's success.
USA Taekwondo and Steve McNally work closely with Stephen Heeseman, executive vice president and Myers Park market executive. “Steve McNally and I first met at a Charlotte Executive Club luncheon,” Stephen says. “He was presenting with another organization called, The Performance Center. I was unaware of this state of art performance facility located on the UNCC campus and their affiliation with numerous US Olympic Programs, including USA Taekwondo. I was fascinated by this and wanted to learn more so I met Steve for lunch, and he then gave me a tour of the facility. The dedication and commitment that each athlete makes every day is on display at that practice facility. After that experience, Steve and I talked about the organization’s banking relationship and ways we could work together. He didn’t feel connected or supported by his other institution, so he advocated moving the banking relationship to Towne. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with USA Taekwondo and the trust they have placed in us. We look forward to getting to know the athletes better and supporting their growth and success.”
For more information, visit usatkd.org.