Tae Kwon Do/Karate in Cedar Park Texas-History

In 1980, the Cedar Park community saw the establishment of its first martial arts school by champions Danny Michael and Robert Foster. Initially situated at the Spicewood Springs Road shopping center, the school eventually relocated to a modest office complex near the Shenandoah subdivision on RR620 in Cedar Park, Texas. The institution, recognized as the Austin College of Tae Kwon Do, would later be one of the schools Master Kaufman attended in the area. He had previously trained in Austin before schools started to open in the Cedar Park area.

(Note: The accompanying image on the left captures Master Kaufman skillfully balancing on a fence post, showcasing his remarkable poise. This image was taken on the once picturesque 756-acre land in Cedar Park where Master Kaufman spent his formative years and later shared his passion for martial arts through teaching. The area has since undergone significant development and transformation.)

Prior to 1980, individuals in Cedar Park seeking instruction in various martial arts disciplines, such as Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kung-Fu, had to travel to Austin to find suitable training facilities. At the time, there were no martial arts schools established in either Cedar Park or Leander.

In the early 1990s, the Northern Austin Metro area witnessed a surge in the establishment of martial arts schools. Today, residents of Cedar Park and Leander have an array of options for practicing martial arts within their local communities. Early notable schools include 259-CHOP, managed by the Gilliam family, Austin Society of Karate, led by Mr. Greg Beaver, and White Tiger TKD, operated by Mr. Kaufman himself.

Throughout the 1980s, Master Kaufman honed his martial arts skills at several distinguished schools in Austin. These include Soryu Karate under Joe Alvarado, KTA with Brad Dubey and Rick Lancaster, and Master Martial Arts, where he learned from esteemed Korean masters and Grandmasters, such as Grandmaster Mu Gil Lee and Master Sam Um, along with other visiting Korean masters.

Master Kaufman established his White Tiger Academy in Cedar Park during the late 1980s. The school later moved to North Austin before returning to Cedar Park in the 1990s. Realizing the need for a more distinctive identity, Master Kaufman rebranded the school as Magnum Force TKD in the 2000s, differentiating it from other White Tiger-named schools across the United States.

As Magnum Force TKD, the school upholds traditional martial arts values and maintains an impressive track record in training and tournaments. By combining an emphasis on safety with demanding training methods, Magnum Force TKD ensures students gain top-tier knowledge and consistently excel in competitions.

In previous years, it seemed that younger individuals were more actively involved in martial arts, with a distinct focus on intense training and demanding curricula. Attaining a belt promotion required substantial dedication, and students were often required to exhibit mastery of all belt requirements from white to black during black belt testing.

In recent times, numerous martial arts schools have drifted away from these conventional practices. However, Magnum Force Tae Kwon Do remains steadfast in preserving and upholding these long-established methods. As a result, our students consistently showcase exceptional knowledge and perform remarkably well in tournaments. Although we maintain our commitment to rigorous training, we place a strong emphasis on safety to ensure that our students can learn and develop their skills without suffering the types of injuries that were more prevalent in the past.

In earlier times, martial arts competitions were quite different from what we witness today. My former instructors recount an era when fighters did not wear protective gear. During my initial foray into competitions, I engaged in point-style fighting. However, by around 1982, I began participating in Olympic-style tournaments. These events were immense, frequently attracting between 1,700 and 2,000 competitors, with divisions boasting up to 30-50 participants. To achieve a top-three ranking, a competitor had to defeat many adversaries, underscoring the necessity of maintaining peak physical condition.

In contrast, present-day martial arts tournaments have embraced a sub-group format comprising four competitors, allowing more students to relish the exhilaration of victory. This shift in tournament structure demonstrates the substantial evolution of martial arts competitions over the years.

Since its establishment, Magnum Force TKD has emerged as a premier martial arts school within the Cedar Park, Leander, and North Austin areas. Our school has touched countless lives by introducing them to the transformative power of martial arts. Our passionate instructors have mentored numerous students, enabling them to excel in various disciplines such as sparring, forms, weapons, group forms, and breaking.

We take immense pride in having fostered numerous State, National, and International Champions, which is a testament to our relentless dedication to helping our students unlock their utmost potential in martial arts. Through our continuous efforts, Magnum Force TKD remains committed to shaping future generations of skilled and accomplished martial artists.