Message from The Director
Welcome to American Martial Arts Academy!
Established in 1998, the mission of AMAA is to develop exceptional individuals and promote a culture of excellence in an environment that is both safe and enjoyable. We believe martial arts have the power to shape us into more focused, disciplined, confident, and happier individuals who are better equipped to overcome the stress and challenges of modern life.
Our core style is Taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art and an Olympic sport. Taekwondo places great emphasis on kicking, which is an excellent way to develop flexibility, agility, core stability, and overall physical fitness, while laying a strong foundation for higher learning in martial arts. We also incorporate Judo takedowns and Jiu-jitsu ground-fighting techniques into our curriculum, allowing our students to become more versatile in both stand-up and ground situations.
Last but not least, our competition team, the Modern Day Knights, is the nationally recognized winning program.
producing countless national medalists and more than a dozen national team members since 2008.
We pursue excellence in both traditional and sport martial arts without losing sight of the timeless values that
define true martial arts training. These values are expressed in our academy tenets: Loyalty, Respect, Self-Control, Responsibility, and Humility. We want our students to become strong, confident, and capable black belts, but also individuals with the right moral, ethical, and spiritual foundation. The true spirit of martial arts is to defend oneself and help protect one’s family from unjust and tyrannical forces.
Everyone who walks into AMAA will be treated with respect and courtesy.
My staff and I will do our very best, as professionals, to serve and guide you toward discovering your true potential. In return, we ask our members to set aside their ego, anxiety, and self-doubt, and simply enjoy the learning process. Stay present in the moment, pay attention to every detail, and trust the journey.
Sincerely,
Master Derrick Kwak
Founder and Head Master
American Martial Arts Academy
6th degree black belt Kukkiwon
WT International Referee
District 13 AAU Director
USAT Southern California Coach
2020 AAU Elite Coach