Our Mission: Elevating Taekwondo Training

The US Taekwondo Institute is a family-run business, where every member holds a black belt. It was founded with the clear mission to provide high-level Taekwondo training that goes beyond the standard martial arts programs typically offered in schools today. Whether students train for fitness, fun, or self-defense, true proficiency requires training like an athlete while focusing on Taekwondo tenets.

Expert Leadership in Taekwondo & Sports Science

Our leadership team is deeply committed to both Taekwondo and the science of athletic performance.

• Mr. Cruz, co-founder and master instructor specializing in Sports Performance & Training and pursuing a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in strength & conditioning.
• Mrs. Cruz, co-founder, and assistant instructor, focuses on sports nutrition and ensures athletes maximize their training through proper fueling.

Both co-founders are in the final stages of earning their Master's degrees in Applied Exercise Science. Their dedication to continuous learning comes from a single goal—to help students reach their highest potential.

Elite-Level Instruction from National Team Athletes

Every master instructor is a 4th Dan. Every master and junior assistant instructor is or has been a national team member, with some earning multiple selections to represent their country at the highest levels of competition. This master-level knowledge and elite experience help ensure that students learn from competent instructors who are masters in the art and gained valuable experience through high-level competition.

Master Instructors

• Master Anibal Cruz (4th Dan, Ph.D. Candidate) - 2024 Puerto Rico National Team
• Master Jessica Cruz (4th Dan) - 3x Puerto Rico National Team
• Master Katelyn Cruz (4th Dan) - 6x Puerto Rico National Team

Assistant Instructors

• Mrs. Jaime Cruz (3rd Dan)

Junior Assistant Instructors

• Ms. Samantha Cruz (3rd Dan) - 4x Puerto Rico National Team
• Mr. Michael Cruz (2nd Poom/Dan) - 3x Puerto Rico National Team

Developing True Martial Artists, Not Just Participants

While some Taekwondo schools function more like daycare centers, we focus on developing skilled, well-rounded Taekwondo athletes. Taekwondo is more than just learning techniques; it's about understanding when and how to use them in competition and self-defense.

Success in Taekwondo depends on developing:

• Strategy - Knowing when and how to respond or launch an attack effectively.
• Quick thinking - Making fast, confident decisions under pressure.
• Sharp reflexes - Ability to deliver precise, rapid techniques at the appropriate moment.
• Explosive power - Generating rapid force efficiently for striking and movement.

That's why we emphasize speed, agility, power, and reaction time—giving students the tools to execute techniques effectively, even under pressure.

A Science-Backed Approach to Training

We follow the National Association of Sports Medicine's (NASM) Optimaum Performance Training (OPT) model and Integrated Performance Training (IPT). The OPT model allows us to concentrate on different stages and phages of sports performance and provides for periodization in our training. Including IPT enables a well-rounded approach to athletic development, ensuring our TKD athletes build the strength, speed, agility, endurance, mobility, and stability they need to perform at their best. It also emphasizes recovery, helping to prevent imbalances that can lead to injury or limit progress. In a martial art or high-performance sport like Taekwondo, where explosive power, speed, and endurance are essential attributes needed for success, IPT is crucial.

By blending traditional and sport Taekwondo with modern sports science, we've developed training methods that:

• Improve performance - Develop strength, endurance, and technique through focused training.
• Support overall health - Prevent overuse injuries with proper conditioning.
• Minimize injury risk - Apply proven sports science methods for safe training.
• Build perseverance - Strengthen mental resilience for competition, self-defense, and daily challenges.

Our students aren't just learning Taekwondo; they're developing the discipline, resilience, and athleticism to excel both on and off the mat.

Have questions? Call us at 407.986.1193 to learn more.