About AAU Taekwondo

Organized and named as the National AAU Taekwondo Committee in October of 1974.  At the 87th National AAU Convention held in Washington, DC Taekwondo was officially admitted as a sport of the AAU of the US in October 1974.  Dr. Ken "Kyung Ho" Min of the University of California at Berkeley, who served as the national chairman of the committee 1974-1978 played a major role in its admission to the AAU.

Get Involved with AAU Taekwondo!

Here is your opportunity to become a member of the Amateur Athletic Union's (AAU) National Taekwondo Program--a national network for amateur athletes and sports administrators dedicated to improving and promoting the sport of amateur Taekwondo. The AAU Taekwondo Program has over 15,000 members.  

As a member, you'll have the advantage of participating in exclusive AAU programs and events, networking with fellow practitioners and Taekwondo enthusiasts, improving your overall image and standards, and expanding your Taekwondo group's activities.

To register on-line for either individual membership or club membership  Click here.

Why AAU Sports?

• National Recognition
• Insurance
• Quality Awards
• Coaches' Education
• Officials' Enhancement
• Local, Regional and National Competition
• National Networking

AAU Programs

1. The AAU Taekwondo Program
The sport of Taekwondo is one of 30 plus sports offered by the Amateur Athletic Union. The AAU Taekwondo Program is open to athletes of all ages and abilities. Athletes may participate in Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Black Belt divisions in Forms, Olympic-style Sparring and Point Sparring. The AAU Taekwondo Program offers professionally run competitions for practitioners of all styles of traditional Taekwondo, including Tangsoodo Moo Do Kwan.  For more information on who the AAU is Click Here

2. Insurance Programs
A benefit of AAU membership is the athlete accident and liability insurance programs. For specific information regarding insurance coverage, please refer to the current insurance brochures.  For information on the AAU Insurance program Click Here

3. Tournaments
AAU members can participate and compete in local, district/state, regional, and national tournaments. Forms, Point Sparring, and Olympic-style is available to beginner, intermediate, advanced, and black belt level athletes in: Junior (5-17), Senior (18-32),  Executive (33-42) and Ultra (43 & Older) Divisions.

AAU Taekwondo competition includes the Youth and Adult National Taekwondo Championship during the July 4th weekend and the AAU Junior Olympic Games--the largest national multi-sport event conducted annually for youth in the United States--and the showcase event of the AAU Youth Sports Program held the first week of August. The inaugural Games were hosted by Washington D.C. in 1968 with two sports and 523 athletes. Since then, the popularity of the Games has blossomed to the point where over 12,000 athletes representing all 50 states can participate in 27 sports.  For upcoming events Click Here

4. DAN Certification
AAU members can have their present rank certified and test for advancement through the AAU Taekwondo Program's optional Dan Certification. Our goal is to provide a fair, consistent and thorough testing procedure for our members which recognizes and incorporates their differences in style and training methods. We provide an achievable standard in which all AAU certified Black Belts may take pride.  Over 4,400 AAU Dan Certificates have been awarded through the AAU Taekwondo Program. For more information Click Here

5. Referee/Coaches Certification
The AAU administers the foremost national referee and coaches licensing program in the country. Rigorous certification standards set by the AAU ensure the highest caliber of AAU Taekwondo tournaments recognized by practitioners throughout the country. Officials and coaches must be certified by AAU Taekwondo each year to participate at any AAU-sponsored Taekwondo event.  Information on the Online Coaches Course can be found on the home page.  For dates and locations of Officials clinics Click Here

6. Administration
The AAU offers members a District/State organization to assist Taekwondo enthusiasts and sports administrators interested in promoting the art and discipline of Taekwondo. Tournaments, seminars, and programs provide opportunities to interact with colleagues in a sports administration setting. For a list of district directors Click Here

7. AAU Taekwondo Program
The future success of the program depends entirely on the work of dedicated Taekwondo volunteers across the country. The AAU Taekwondo Program has much to offer:

• District/State, Regional, and National Competition
• Dan Certification Program
• An Accredited Officials' and Coaches Certification Program
• Comprehensive practice and liability insurance programs for AAU member clubs and athletes
• AAU Junior Olympic Games participation opportunities
• Alliance with Walt Disney World Sports Complex
• Nationwide network of amateur sports administration professionals
• Associated with the history and traditions of a national amateur sports organization founded in 1888

AAU Sports Insurance

A Priceless Benefit, Free To Member Schools

AAU chartered schools and clubs receive free liability and sports insurance (provided all the students are AAU members). To download information on this valuable program click  AAU Sports Insurance

For more about the benefits of AAU Club Membership Click Here