History of Brookings Tae Kwon Do
December 9th 1973: Grand Master Jonathan Henkel received his 1st Dan at the Kukkiwon in Seoul, Korea.
1975: Grand Master Henkel (8th Dan) started the SDSU / Brookings TaeKwonDo at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD under Grand Master Edward B. Sell (9th Dan) and the United States Chung Do Kwan Association (USCDKA).
June 4th 1989: Grand Master Henkel along with other Senior Black Belt Advisors formally broke away from Grand Master Sell’s USCDKA and established the United Chung Do Kwan Association in Brookings, SD. Under the recommendation of Grand Master Cha Sok Park, (9th Dan) the UCDKA received validation at the Kukkiwon in Seoul, Korea.
1990: Senior Master Thomas Beuhre (6th Dan) took over Brookings TaeKwonDo. Senior Master Thomas Buehre, Master Diane Buehre (4thDan) and Master Eric Buehre (5th Dan) continued to grow, training 100’s of students promoting to Black Belt and even Masters
August 1, 2011: Senior Master Mark Anawski (6th Dan) was asked and accepted to take over Brookings TaeKwonDo to continue its growth and dedication to the art of Tae Kwon Do.
February 1, 2016: Brookings TaeKwonDo began a new chapter in its amazing journey. Having grown considerably, Brookings TaeKwonDo was able to locate a permanant home for its amazing TaeKwonDo family and purchased a building. This new home is located at 919 Main Avenue S., Brookings, SD.
June 23, 2016: After months of renovations with the amazing help from parents, students, family and friends; Brookings TaeKwonDo opened its doors! Coincidently this was also the 15 year anniversary of his marrage to his incredible wife, Kelli!!!
“Without the outpouring love of a community and the tremendous support from the City of Brookings, Brookings Chamber of Commerce, Brookings School System, City of Brookings Parks & Recreation, Robert & Kathleen Hauge and so many more businesses, dear friends, family, parents and of course our students; Brookings TaeKwonDo would not be what it is today.
Kelli and I would like to express the most sincere thanks and love to everyone who came together to make our dream of owning, operating and having a TaeKwonDo ‘HOME’ for our TaeKwonDo ‘FAMILY’ come true!!! Thank you and God Bless you all!”