Kim’s Academy: Fit and Fun for the whole family!
Conveniently located in Salt Lake, Utah at the Garden Center at sugar house park (1602 E 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) , Kim’s Academy of Taekwondo provides a fun and constructive activity for all ages!
Taekwondo is not only an outstanding form of physical fitness, but also provides powerful mental and emotional benefits. Discover for yourself why Taekwondo is the most popular martial art in the United States and the only martial art featured in the Olympic Games.
Over 40 years of satisfied Utah parents and students
Grandmaster Kim opened his first martial arts school in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1984. With over 40 years of experience and served as the first Utah State Taekwondo President for more than a decade. He continues to teach and mentor students ages 5 through adult.
If you’ve never seen Taekwondo, (Korean Karate) before, we invite you to come into our Salt Lake Garden Center, and watch one of our classes. Then you will understand what makes Kim’s Academy the best Salt Lake Martial arts School there is!
Our Mission
Kim’s Academy is a family-focused martial arts school in Salt Lake City, specializing in self-defense and Taekwondo training for students of all ages and ability levels. We proudly offer martial arts classes for children, teens, and adults, encouraging the entire family to train together in a safe, supportive, and motivating environment.
We emphasize positive reinforcement, focusing on each student’s strengths while coaching and teaching in a way that promotes learning, confidence, and continuous improvement. Our instructors are highly trained and experienced, and are committed to helping every student reach their full potential.
In addition to physical conditioning and self-defense skills, we focus on developing mental strength and character. Our programs emphasize values such as self-esteem, self-discipline, self-confidence, personal responsibility, respect for others, and a positive attitude. For more detailed information about the different types of classes we offer, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
8th Dan Blackbelt World Takewando
Grandmaster Kim was born and raised in Korea and moved to the United States in 1979. He began studying Taekwondo at the age of 12 and quickly distinguished himself, earning his Fourth Dan black belt while serving as a Taekwondo instructor in the Korean Army.
After arriving in the United States, Grandmaster Kim competed for several years in full-contact tournaments sponsored by the Professional Karate Association (PKA). He achieved numerous victories, often winning by first-round knockout, and earned the title of Colorado State Welterweight Champion in 1981.
In 1980, he opened his first Taekwondo school in partnership. In 1984, he relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he founded the first dojang of his own school, Kim’s Academy.
Grandmaster Kim holds a Ninth Dan black belt and has won numerous awards and tournament titles throughout his career. He also served as the Utah State Taekwondo President, further contributing to the growth of martial arts in the region. Despite his impressive accomplishments, Grandmaster Kim says his greatest satisfaction comes from seeing his students grow, succeed, and go on to earn achievements of their own.
Master Godfrey began training in Taekwondo at the age of 9 and earned his black belt under Grandmaster Kim. He has a deep passion for martial arts and enjoys studying martial arts videos, constantly exploring new techniques and innovative training methods.
Dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich tradition of Taekwondo, Master Godfrey is passionate about passing his knowledge on to his Taekwondo family, and YouTube community, inspiring the next generation of martial artists.
Brandon Williams grew up in a military family, living throughout the United States and Europe. He began training in martial arts at the age of five and later moved to Utah at age nine. At 15, his interest in martial arts truly took off, leading him to search for the right studio to continue his training.
After discovering Kim’s Academy and meeting Grandmaster Kim, Brandon eagerly enrolled and committed himself to his martial arts journey. He has since competed in multiple tournaments and earned first place in a Utah State Championship, demonstrating dedication, discipline, and competitive excellence.
Michael Kim began studying Taekwondo at the age of five, and 38 years later he continues to train with passion and dedication. He enjoys teaching both children and adults, helping students improve their martial arts skills, confidence, and discipline.
In addition to Taekwondo, Michael also trains in Hapkido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Outside the dojang, he enjoys playing basketball and taking long walks on the beach, bringing balance and enthusiasm to both his training and teaching.
