(St. Joseph, Missouri) Yu's Martial Arts Academy & Family Fitness Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Founded by Master Chang Yu, the academy had the dream of establishing a martial arts school to promote Korean culture and self-defense programs.
With the help of a judo instructor he met in South Korea, he was able to cover his travel expenses and realize his dream.
That dream remains alive today, 50 years later.
Chuck Sims is currently the owner and master instructor of the academy.
“It's wonderful,” Sims said, “and we're so grateful for the support of St. Joe and the students we've had over the years. Yu founded the school in 1974 and has been attending ever since.”
The academy teaches everyone from children as young as five to seniors over 60. It usually takes two and a half to three years to earn a black belt, depending on the student's efforts.
“We've had many black belt recipients come through here and they're very proud of their training here at Youth Academy,” Sims said. “For our 50th anniversary, some people came from all over the country to celebrate with us because they earned their black belts here and are very proud of their accomplishments.”
Abigail Bowser has been a student at the Academy since August 2021.
“The 50th anniversary was a big deal to me because I had only heard about these people,” Bowser said. “I joined after COVID, and many of the graduates had gone on their own paths and gone in their own directions, but I had only heard the stories. Now, being able to meet the founders of the academy, including Grandmaster Yu himself, finally made all those stories come true.”
