The Legendre’s Tae Kwon Do program began at the Davenport North YMCA located at 624 West 53rd Street in Davenport Iowa on October 28th 2008. The program is a division of Chung Kim’s Black Belt Academy. Classes meet two nights a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. If you are interested in the tae kwon do program, please contact the YMCA at 563-391-7771. For all new students we offer 2 free trial classes.

The instructors are Mr. Kenneth Legendre and Mrs. Courtney Legendre. The Legendre’s met in tae kwon do and have been married for 2 years. Mr. Kenneth Legendre is a 4th degree black belt in tae kwon do. He has been training in tae kwon do for almost 19 years and began instructing over 15 years ago. He is an excelent martial artist having been crowned grand champion 7 times at tournaments throughout the midwest in forms, breaking, and sparring. Mr. Legendre has studied various other martial arts throughout the years including T’ai Chi, Judo, Juijitsu, Kendo, and Hapkiye. He has traveled to Korea, the country where tae kwon do was originated, and trained. Mrs. Courtney Legendre is a 2nd degree black belt in tae kwon do. She has been training over 5 years. Mrs. Legendre is currently pregnant with the next generation in the Legendre tae kwon do family.

Tae kwon do is “The art of kicking and punching.” The exceptional tae kwon doist will be able to jump and kick, spin and kick, and both jump spin and kick. Sparring between two exceptional martial artist can look like a blur to the untrained eye.

The Legendre tae kwon do program is a traditional style martial arts program focusing on teaching the art in martial arts. The forms taught are the Chang Han forms initially, but the Tae Guek forms are also being incorporated into the black belt levels. For the beginning student basic kicks, punches, and self defense techniques are taught. Board breaking is also done by all students to increase confidence in their abilities. Once the student reaches yellow belt light contact sparring is started. At each belt rank the student learns new kicks, punches, self defense techniques, and forms.

The journey from white to black belt takes a minimum of 2 years and for most students takes 3 years or longer. It took Mr. Legendre almost 6 years to attain his black and Mrs. Legendre took 2 and a half years. Mr. Legendre plans on testing for his 5th degree in December of 2008.