Highland Taekwondo Academy

A Proud Moment for HTA! 🇺🇸🇰🇷

We are incredibly proud of Jiyu Han for representing HTA at the Korea Open 🇰🇷

Jiyu showed great courage stepping onto the international stage, competing against athletes from different countries, and giving his best. He won his first match against Hong Kong and then faced a Korean athlete in his next match.

Win or lose, having the courage to compete at this level is something to be proud of. Congratulations, Jiyu! We are so proud of you!

Our Highland Taekwondo Academy Demonstration Team had the honor of welcoming the wonderful residents from Twin Oaks Senior Living to our academy for a special taekwondo demonstration.

After the taekwondo demonstration, our students enjoyed playing games, dancing, and sharing lots of smiles and laughter with the residents. It was heartwarming to see two generations coming together and having so much fun.

We are so proud of our students for giving back to the community and representing HTA with respect, kindness, and leadership. A big thank you to our amazing parents for bringing your children and making this special event possible. Together, we’re building stronger martial artists and a stronger community! # ‼️ 💪

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I represented the U.S. Masters Taekwondo Team at the World Masters Games in Taiwan.

But this story doesn’t begin with pride—it begins with doubt.

There was a time I truly thought my journey might be over. I had already gone through two ACL surgeries and a hip surgery, and coming back from that wasn’t just painful on the body, it tested my spirit. Every step back into training felt heavier. Every round felt like I was chasing something that had already left me behind. At my age, I started believing a quiet lie—that maybe my time in Taekwondo had passed, and I simply had to accept it.

Then I lost a match against an amazing Taekwondo athlete from Spain.

That loss didn’t just stay on the scoreboard—it stayed inside me. It made every doubt louder. It made me question not just my performance, but my identity as a martial artist. There was a moment where I honestly felt like I didn’t belong in the ring anymore.

In that moment, Coach Jeff Pinaroc pulled me aside. He didn’t talk about mistakes. He didn’t talk about losing. He looked at me and reminded me of who I was before the doubt, before the injury, before the fear. He spoke about my years of work, my discipline, and the fighter he still saw standing in front of him—even when I couldn’t see that version of myself anymore.

I remember thinking, if this Olympic-level coach believes in me, maybe he sees something that I can’t see right now. His words gave me confidence when I needed it most and helped me believe in myself again. That conversation didn’t erase the struggle—but it gave me something to hold onto when everything in me wanted to quit.

The USA Masters Team became part of that turning point. It wasn’t just an opportunity—it was a reminder that I still belonged somewhere I thought I had lost. Being surrounded by teammates who carried the same passion, respect, and discipline made me realize I wasn’t alone in the fight. I don’t know if I can fully put into words what it meant to wear that uniform again after everything.

Through it all, my wife, Angel Patterson Arana, was my anchor. When I was ready to let go, she refused to let me believe my story was finished. When I saw age and limitations, she saw experience and strength. When I saw failure, she saw someone still capable of rising again. When I had nothing left in me, she carried belief for both of us until I could breathe again.

I am still competing today, but I don’t share this story as success—I share it as truth.

There are moments in life when you will feel like you are done. When your body feels older than your dreams. When your losses feel heavier than your purpose. When quitting feels easier than continuing and in those moments, the difference is not talent—it is who stands next to you, and whether you are willing to listen when someone tells you that your story is not finished.

I share this with my students because I want them to understand something simple but real: you don’t achieve goals because you never fail—you achieve them because you don’t stay down.

Somewhere along this journey, I had the honor of representing the United States and earning a gold medal, but even that fades compared to what it took to get there.

What I carry most is not the victory, but the moments I almost gave up—and the people who refused to let me.

I’m grateful… not for the outcome, but for the fight, and for the ones who believed in me when I couldn’t.

Next time you might shop at Walmart - consider donating your change to our USA Masters Team Non profit. Every bit counts and can go a long way.

Just this last week over 75 individuals from around the United States were able to experience an event that YOU donate to.

Life stories of triumph (like "thinking I couldn't, but now I can" or "I regretted, but now I have hope") are a result because of individuals like you supporting the mission of the USA Masters Team.

We aspire to IGNITE the fire within any individual who has a desire to get physically fit, mentally healthy, or feel support to strive towards a goal.

We want to INSPIRE individuals so they realize they can do hard things, crush goals, and that it is never too late to do so (regardless of age or life circumstances).

By having the funds to pour into training seminars, masters gatherings, and supporting athletes with coaches, event fees to alleviate additional costs, and more - YOU are able to make this all happen and IMPACT lives.

Thank you!

Whether you give online and donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/92b7c7b4-10af-4bab-9d13-1e4b54c957d6

Or spare your change: https://www.walmart.com/nonprofits/9b9a964d-b767-4eca-bc84-37dcbded0010/profile

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH SPORT for others, IMPACTING LIVES more than you may realize!

We can’t wait to host this amazing opportunity!

😲Want MORE! Had a blast in NY? Miss not going to the last Training Seminar?

🫵We got you... 2026 USA Masters Team Training Seminar is headed West to Salt Lake City, Utah on November 20-21 to Highland Taekwondo Academy! Stay Tuned for more details!!

📌Register to claim your spot here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/usa-masters-team-training-seminar-112126-utah

📌Book your discounted Host Hotel Reservations here: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1768860770067&key=GRP&app=resvlink&_branch_match_id=1572021804779651204&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MtNLCrKzC8p0UvOz9UvSi3OyczLtgdK2ALZZSCOWmaKraG5mYWFmYG5uYGBmbladmqlrXtQgFpdUWpaKlB3Xnp8UlF%2BeXFqkW1wYlpiUSYACTHKkGAAAAA%3D

📌and Mark Your Calendar!

Not 1, not 2, but 3 athletes from Highland Taekwondo Academy made the USA Masters Team for 2026. We must be doing something right! Congratulations everyone on your hard work, dedication and passion for this amazing sport.

This is the best tournament for ultras. Let’s do it!

We are excited to announce online REGISTRATION is now OPEN for the 2026 US Masters Cup🏆

We are honored to be hosting the largest ultra taekwondo tournament in the United States. Welcoming athletes from across the nation and around the world. 🇺🇸 🇪🇸 🇸🇪 🇮🇸 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 🇧🇷 🇰🇷🇨🇴 🇵🇭

👀See you on January 2-3, 2026 at Houston CityPlace Marriott at Springwoods Village in Houston, Texas!

👉REGISTER HERE: https://pci.jotform.com/form/251884994468176

👉General Information Guide:https://www.jhtsolutions.com/_files/ugd/df3878_a56b9eb6301a4838b0c2d2c72c59b5c4.pdf

👉Host Hotel Discount Link (discount closes Dec. 10, 2025 or when all rooms are booked): https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1752764994059&key=GRP&app=resvlink&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6wg9DmYKRVhgiDk_Itr4BkCItCcUbnmH6odrFFGVQKPo3EbcNUOPKo-i_16w_aem_A1RuwjYxCQ78If6XUeQZgg

‼️Early registration ends September 12th and all registration closes December 12th.

We will be hosting events in Olympic Sparring, Individual Poomsae, Poomsae Pairs, Tag Team Poomsae, Combat Team Sparring.

⚡️Find ALL INFO HERE on our event website: https://www.jhtsolutions.com/us-masters-cup

For latest news and updates follow us on Facebook: US Masters Cup page.

This summer, HTA had the incredible opportunity to host our first International Camp with the participation of Instituto Mugung Mexico and Quantum Martial Arts Utah. Over four days, we shared our cultures and our passion for taekwondo. On the very first day, we discovered that even without a common language, we all spoke the universal language of our sport.

Thank you to Coach Pinaroc for sharing his knowledge with our amazing group of athletes who traveled hundreds of miles for this experience. After two days of intense training, we finished the camp with friendly sparring while using electric chest protectors.

We not only gained new techniques, but also forged friendships and created memories that will last a lifetime.

Special thanks to Master Arana (HTA), Master Angel (HTA), Master Angel Caballeros (Mugung Mexico), Coach Polly (Quantum) and Alex Prieto (Texas) for making this remarkable international camp a reality.