In Memory of
Grandmaster Garth Cooley – A Legacy Lives On
The Korea Taekwondo Academy (KTA) proudly honors the enduring legacy of Grandmaster Garth Cooley, a taekwondo master, mentor, and leader whose impact continues to shape our community. An 8th Degree Black Belt certified by the Kukkiwon, Grandmaster Cooley dedicated nearly four decades to taekwondo as a competitor, coach, and instructor, inspiring countless students and instructors at KTA and beyond.
Grandmaster Cooley’s achievements were extraordinary: a two-time U.S. National Champion, Team Captain of the U.S. National Taekwondo Team, and bronze medalist at the World Games, Goodwill Games, and Pan American Championships. He was named “Indiana Instructor of the Year” by USA Taekwondo, “Taekwondo Master of the Year” by Taekwondo Times Magazine, and received a “Letter of Commendation” from the Kukkiwon. His 2019 gold medal at the World Cup Poomsae Championships in Wuxi, China, marked a pinnacle of his competitive career.
Above all, Grandmaster Cooley was a teacher who built confidence, discipline, and community. His mentorship under KTA Founder Grandmaster Chul Koo Yoon shaped KTA into a family-oriented academy where students grow in skill and character. His vision remains the heartbeat of our programs.
Today, KTA is led by Mr. David Bickel, his son Alex Bickel, and their family, who have trained closely under Grandmaster Cooley for nearly a decade and helped operate KTA for over six years. Guided by Grandmaster Yoon, now based in Korea, and supported by our team of certified Black Belt instructors—many of whom trained directly under Cooley and Yoon—KTA continues to uphold the highest standards of taekwondo training. We remain committed to fostering respect, perseverance, and unity in every student, just as Grandmaster Cooley did.
Together, we carry forward Grandmaster Cooley’s spirit in every kick and every lesson at KTA.
Grandmaster Cooley - 8th Degree Black Belt
National & International Sparring Records
Under the direction of Grandmaster Yoon (Founder of KTA), Grandmaster Cooley has not only achieved great success as an instructor, but he has also found that same success throughout his years as an international and national competitor. Grandmaster Cooley is the only instructor in the Midwest who has been a member and Team Captain of the U.S. National Taekwondo Team. As a two-time National Champion, Grandmaster Cooley also received Bronze Medals internationally at the World Games, Goodwill Games, and Pan American Championships. In 1993, he was named “Athlete of the Year” in Taekwondo by the United States Olympic Committee.
Grandmaster Cooley’s National & International Sparring Records
Poomsae Accomplishments
Since 2006, Grandmaster Cooley has enjoyed being a member of the U.S. National Poomsae Team and has competed at the World Poomsae Championships eight times as an individual as well as in pair and team categories. He is one of very few Taekwondo Master Instructors in the United States who is actively competing, and this brings KTA students an even higher level of training not found at any other school in the region.
Grandmaster Cooley’s Poomsae Accomplishments
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Grandmaster Cooley is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis and holds a degree in Business Administration. He also holds an International Referee Certification by World Taekwondo.
Led by Grandmaster Cooley, KTA also provides you with the largest and most experienced staff of certified Black Belt instructors, enabling us to give students the individual attention they need. We also provide special classes just for instructors and Black Belts to ensure that your instruction is consistent and top-notch!
Grandmaster Cooley is one of the most accomplished Taekwondo practitioners in the world and is often sought out by many in the Taekwondo community for consulting and seminars throughout the United States.