Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunmi Kim.
Sunmi, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m the business owner and Chief Master of Doha Taekwondo, and Coach for Xplore Taekwondo Performance Team. I started Taekwondo since junior high in Korea, started actively competing as an athlete in high school, and received a full-time athletic scholarship for Taekwondo for my B.A degree. I started my business in 2014 and we are currently one of the largest Martial Arts studios in La Crescenta and La Canada area. I’m married to a supportive husband and we are expecting our first child in May.
Has it been a smooth road?
Martial Arts including taekwondo traditionally have been dominated by male and I believe that it does not necessarily be that way. From time to time I have experienced people stereotyping me as a female Taekwondo master from different groups of people. It was frustrating and sad that some people are still judging based on gender, and we are working extra hard to prove them wrong.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Doha Taekwondo story. Tell us more about the business.
We consider ourselves a pioneer in Martial Arts industry in a sense that a young female Taekwondo Chief Master, getting married and expecting a child soon. This does not sound extraordinary but it is rare or have not heard of in Martial Arts industry since most of female masters quit teaching and practicing Taekwondo before having a child.
We specialized in Taekwondo for kids and teenagers in Poomsae (Form) and Taekwondo performances. We train our students well enough to compete in both State and National level tournaments, and I coach for professional Taekwondo performance team, the Xplore which recently performed at LA Dodger’s pregame show and LA Clippers half time show.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Industry outlook looks good and we project that there won’t be major shift or changes.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2620 Foothill Blvd. Ste. C
La Crescenta, CA 91214 - Website: www.DohaTKD.com
- Phone: 818-249-9202
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @dohatkd
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/doha-taekwondo-la-crescenta-montrose-2
