Chief Instructor

Michael Crocco has over 28 years of martial arts experience and has been teaching children, teens and adults in Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset and Mercer Counties since 1986.

He holds a fifth degree black belt in TaeKwonDo, and has competed nationally and internationally receiving 1st place honors in Little Rock Arkansas, Pensacola Florida, Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile Alabama, New Orleans Louisiana. A bronze medalist in Jamaica, Silver Medalist in Manzanillo and Cancun Mexico,  and Sydney Australia. In the first ever Martial Arts Tournament in Russia he earned two gold medals.

To date Mr. Crocco has established five successful Martial Arts Academies across New Jersey and has promoted over 1200 students to the rank of Black Belt. Currently he is the Executive Director of the United TaeKwonDo Academies and is responsible for the Instructor Certification Program. Martial Arts schools across the country use teaching techniques and philosophies designed by Mr. Crocco.

He is most proud of his involvement with Martial Arts With Heart a non-profit organization that raises money for children’s Charities that he co-founded in 2004 with friends Bryan Klein and Dr. Nicholas Despotidis. To date (September 2008) over $250,000 has given to four worthy causes.

The United TaeKwonDo Academies

Established in 1987, the first United TaeKwonDo Academies were founded by Mr. Michael Crocco and Mr. Bryan Klein in North Brunswick and Manalapan, New Jersey.

There are currently 5 schools in the organization Hamilton, Union, Jackson, Manalapan and Matawan. All with the same goal; to help every student "Discover The Power Within".

At the United TaeKwonDo Academies, the core style is of course TaeKwonDo. However, in order to present students with a well-rounded curriculum, techniques from Aikido, Jujitsu, Kung Fu and Boxing have been added to enhance your skills as a Martial Artists. This will give you the ability to better defend yourself in any situation

Belt System

There are eleven (11) belts from White Belt to Black Belt and it will take the average student three and  half to four (3 1/2 - 4) years to earn a Probationary Black Belt.

 
Each Belt Level has documented curriculum that includes a Form, (predetermined series of blocks, and counter attacks) 2 New Kicks,  4 - 5 Self defense techniques against Punches, Grabs, Pushes and Kicks, *Sparring Combinations, *Board Breaking and *Weapons.

*Sparring begins at Green Belt, Board Breaking at Brown, and Weapons training at Black Belt.

Students that are committed to earning their Black Belt may qualify for Black Belt Club, and begin advanced training with traditional weapons,  board breaking and other material usually reserved for Black Belts.

White Belt Through Red Belt Testings are held in the Academy every three months and are usually about two hours long.

Black Belt Testing is a UTA Event with all five Academies testing their candidates at  one location. Testing is held only three times a year, and  is usually  between six and eight hours long.

Testing Fees

Tournaments

The UTA hosts two tournaments a year, the SPRING and FALL Championships a third competition is sometimes added depending on scheduling. Brown Belts and above may accumulate points in specific divisions these points are tallied at the end of the year, the result being the NJ TOP TEN.

All Top Ten Competitors are awarded certificates and the #1 competitor in each division is awarded "State Champ" and receives the official State Champ Uniform!

Divisions in the TOP TEN: Junior Black Belt, 1st Degree Teen Boys, Teen Girls, 2nd Degree Teen Boys, Black Belt Men, Black Belt Women, Weapons and Board Breaking. More divisions may be added based on interest.

The United TaeKwonDo Academies is and has always been dedicated to having each student Discover the Power Within.

InstructorsLeft to right: Andrew Singer, Raelynn Sypher & Chris Singer

 
Mr. Andrew Singer

Began training in 2000 and is currently a 2nd Degree Black Belt.

Ms. RaeLynn Sypher

Began training in 1998 and is currently a 2nd Degree Black Belt.

Mr. Chris Singer

Began training in 2000 and is currently a 2nd Degree Black Belt.

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 Here is what your neighbors are saying:

"Now I have strong sense of confidence & discipline"
-Melissa N. age 11

"I remember when I was a White Belt and couldn't stand still for 30 seconds! Now I feel I can control my body all the time."
-Derron M.  age 14

"My first reason for taking Karate was to learn Self Defense. I was tired of being everyone's punching bag at school. Now, I have a much higher level of confidence. Along with the ability to defend myself, I learned to have more respect not just for myself but also my parents and other family members."
-David W.  age 16

 

"I was nervous when I took my first class but everyone welcomed me and made me feel special. I have a lot of respect for all the Instructors,they are great role models."
-Brian S. age 8

"A Black Belt is not just a piece of cloth we wear around our waist. A Black Belt in the UTA means you are a person with integrity, perseverance, self-control and courtesy."
-George D. age 33

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Don't take their word for it, try a week of classes FREE!

Call today and set an appointment for your first class

609-586-1227

Or just stop by

Hamilton's UTA 

2452 Kuser Road

U T A  TIME LINE

1987- UTA was founded in No. Brunswick and Manalapan

1988-First UTA Tournament

1989- UTA Instructor Manual

1990- National Demo in FL.

1992- Clinton and Jackson Academy

1993- Russia Tournament

1994- Matawan Academy

1995- Bricks broken for kids with cancer $10,000 raised

1996- World Cup of Martial Arts Sydney, Australia

1997- Montgomery Academy  and Pan-Am Games Mexico

1998- Humanitarian of the Year presented to Mr. Klein

1999- Weapons added to curriculum

2000- Forms modified for the 21st century

2001- Union Academy

2002- Bully-proofed 50,000 children

2003- Real-life self defense added to curriculum

2004- Martial Arts with Heart was founded - $33,000 raised for March of Dimes

2005- Hamilton Academy  and $55,000 raised for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

2006- Mr. Crocco and Mr. Klein earn 5th degree Black Belts and $92,000 raised for Embrace Kids Foundation

2007- A new beginning for UTA expansion and growth. $88,000 raised for C.O.S.A.C
National TV coverage as Mr. Crocco breaks 10,000 boards for Autism Awareness 

 www.millionkicks.com

also:

MAWH.org

ANNIUOR.com