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The KO Nation

4.9 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Portland, Texas

Taekwondo school Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Sparring Competition team New

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 7–15) — 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
  • Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
  • Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule trainkonation.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 361-548-8041

Hours

Monday 2–8:30 pm
Tuesday 2–8:30 pm
Wednesday 2–8:30 pm
Thursday 2–8:30 pm
Friday 2–8:30 pm
Saturday 10 am–12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and tournaments — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at The KO Nation, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 27 mentions

“& Mrs Martinez have taught my daughter discipline, courage, & strength so much so that she won an award for Recognition at a GPISD School Board Meeting.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“They are great instructors, you and your kiddos can learn self-defense, can gain confidence, increase discipline, balance, and self-control.”

All schools that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at The KO Nation — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“They are great instructors, you and your kiddos can learn self-defense, can gain confidence, increase discipline, balance, and self-control.”

Other schools that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want hapkido, karate, or judo alongside your taekwondo, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 27 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert masters & instructors 7 mentions

“They are great instructors, you and your kiddos can learn self-defense, can gain confidence, increase discipline, balance, and self-control.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 8 mentions

“They create a positive, supportive environment while teaching discipline, respect, and valuable self-defense skills.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“& Mrs Martinez have taught my daughter discipline, courage, & strength so much so that she won an award for Recognition at a GPISD School Board Meeting.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 25 mentions

“& Mrs Martinez have taught my daughter discipline, courage, & strength so much so that she won an award for Recognition at a GPISD School Board Meeting.”

From the reviews

We have had an amazing experience with Mr. and Mrs. Martinez and their summer camp/martial arts classes. They genuinely care about the kids and do a great job balancing fun with structure, discipline, confidence, and respect.

★★★★★ — J, Jun 2026

Great martial arts instructors When I first started very new on doing martial arts. They are really great instructors on teaching me step-by-step of the ways of martial arts. They’re very fun.

★★★★★ — Noah, Jun 2026

Mr. and Mrs. Martinez have been incredible martial arts instructors for my kids. Since training with them, my children have grown stronger physically and gained so much confidence. They create a positive, supportive environment while teaching discipline, respect, and valuable self-defense skills.

★★★★★ — Jen, Jun 2026

My daughter has been training with the Martinez’s for over 5yrs now. They have been amazing instructors and have helped her achieve a lot of her goals. If you want to train with dedicated instructors who have taught and coached fighters/martial artist to an elite level I could not recommend them enough!

★★★★★ — Dru, Jul 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at The KO Nation

The KO Nation comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first taekwondo class at The KO Nation

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.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find The KO Nation

1605 US-181 Suite G, Portland, TX78374

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this school? Claim your listing — it's free.