Home › South Carolina › Sumter › Sumter Tae Kwon DO
Sumter Tae Kwon DO
4.8 ★★★★★ 73 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Sumter, South Carolina
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo · Kukkiwon-certified — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Plan your first class
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule sumtertkd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 803-499-4324
Hours
| Monday | 1–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 1–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 1–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 1–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 1–5:30 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My children have been attending Sumter Tae Kwon Do for the last year and a half and have grown so much as they started out in their after school program.”
“From ages 5 and up the staff has the ability to get the children’s’ attention and keep it.”
“I have been attending the teen/adult class for the last 6 months and have enjoyed how we are taught with ease without feeling like I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“My son enjoys learning martial arts and learning self defense, and my daughter enjoys the friendships she has developed.”
Other martial arts here
“My son enjoys learning martial arts and learning self defense, and my daughter enjoys the friendships she has developed.”
What students say
“Our children learned from amazing instructors.”
“Thank you Sumter TKD for welcoming us, caring for my daughters, and helping them gain the self confidence in new and exciting ways.”
“Master Jackie is attentive and supportive to each child insuring they get the attention and instruction needed.”
“As a parent there is no better feeling seeing your child do something she loves but the support she gets by literally everyone is second to none .”
“Unlike many programs this is an official and internationally recognized program taught by caring individuals that prioritize growth and standards over false senses of achievement.”
“Unlike many programs this is an official and internationally recognized program taught by caring individuals that prioritize growth and standards over false senses of achievement.”
From the reviews
My daughter started at STKD over a year ago . With any new adventure come a little bit of stress but not here . The atmosphere for her was so inviting and made her feel at home . During the time in her first year she grew mentally and physically stronger .
We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Sumter Tae Kwon Do! Our son has grown so much in confidence, focus, and discipline since starting here. The instructors are incredibly patient, encouraging, and skilled at working with kids of all ages.
We’ve had 3 children attend the Sumter Tae Kwon Do summer program. Our children learned from amazing instructors. The program is well structured, educational, and affordable. When my children were in the center I knew they were well taken care of. The summer program focused on discipline, strength, and staying fit.
My children have been attending Sumter Tae Kwon Do for the last year and a half and have grown so much as they started out in their after school program. My son enjoys learning martial arts and learning self defense, and my daughter enjoys the friendships she has developed.
New to taekwondo? Start at Sumter Tae Kwon DO
Sumter Tae Kwon DO comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at Sumter Tae Kwon DO
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
More taekwondo schools near Sumter
Yim's Tiger Tae Kwon Do Academy
5 ★★★★★ 34 reviews
Legacy Martial Arts - Columbia
4.9 ★★★★★ 391 reviews