Duke University Club Taekwondo












About Us
Duke Taekwondo trains in the World Taekwondo (WT) style of Taekwondo, which includes poomsae (forms) and Olympic-style sparring. Every week, we hold four general practices, one track training practice, and an office-hour session. Through Duke Taekwondo, all members have the opportunity to improve their martial arts techniques, endurance, and general fitness. Members are welcome to attend as many or as few practices as they like.
Duke Taekwondo offers belt testing as an opportunity for members to show what they have learned and advance through the martial arts ranks. As such, our captain and instructors host four color belt tests per year. In addition, members who advance through the color belt ranks can participate in our annual black belt test in April. This test is hosted by our coach, Master Nicholas Yates. With dedication and perseverance, it is possible for undergraduates with no prior martial arts experience to attain a black belt by graduation.
Members who regularly attend practices are invited to compete in tournaments across the country. As a club, Duke Taekwondo travels to 4-6 tournaments throughout the year, including those hosted by the Eastern Collegiate Taekwondo Conference (ECTC) and the Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo (ACAT). As a culmination of the competition season, our club participates in the Collegiate National Championships every spring, which is hosted by the National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA). Competition gives members the opportunity to compete in sparring and/or poomsae against practitioners of comparable skill levels from other collegiate teams.
Members also have the opportunity to attend various social events throughout the year. We host a Winter and Spring Banquet where members are able to shed their workout attire to dress up and eat delicious food at local off-campus restaurants. We also arrange a Fall and Spring Retreat to destinations such as the local North Carolina mountains and Falls Lake. Along with these traditional socials, we host many small, casual socials every month, including movie nights, restaurant outings, game nights, and picnics in Duke Gardens. Members of this tight-knit community often form many close bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.