World Martial Arts Academy proudly serving Saint Louis since 1981
and the Crestwood area since 1993

World Martial Arts Academy has classes in Saint Louis, perfect for kids, teen, and adult martial arts lessons.

Who we Are And why You Should Train Here

Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.

We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..

Get To Know Our World Class Instructors

About Us

Master Michael Parker Jr.

Master Parker is a Kukkiwon certified 5th Degree Black Belt with over 28 years of experience in Taekwondo. He began his training in May of 1997 and joined the World Martial Arts Academy staff in 2006. Always seeking to learn more and grow, Master Parker has attended various Taekwondo seminars and workshops on the competitive aspects of Taekwondo run by U.S. National Team Members, Coaches, and Olympians. 

Master Parker is the primary weapons instructor for World Martial Arts Academy – Crestwood. He also enjoys teaching competition poomsae (forms). 

Competition Experience

  • 3-time World Champion – Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang (Power & Speed Breaking)
  • World Silver Medalist – Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang (Individual Poomsae)
  • 5-time National Champion – U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang (Poomsae & Power Breaking)
  • 2004 Missouri State Taekwondo Gold Medalist – Missouri State Games (Poomsae)
  • 2015 AAU Regional Gold Medalist – Ozark Valley AAU National Qualifier (Poomsae & Olympic Sparring)

Referee/Officiate Experience

Master Parker holds a USA Taekwondo Class – D2 Referee certification and has officiated at local, state, and national tournaments to include: 

  • 2018 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang – Referee
  • 2018 Michigan State Hanmadang – Referee
  • 2019 Missouri State Hanmadang – Referee
  • 2019 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang – Referee
About Us

Master Suzanne Winkler

Master Winkler is a Kukkiwon certified 5th Degree Black Belt with over 28 years of experience in Taekwondo, and over 5 years training in Combat Hapkido (street self-defense). Master Winkler began her training in 1997 and started teaching at World Martial Arts Academy in 2002. Well versed in Taekwondo standards, Master Winkler has attended several high level Korea sponsored seminars. She attended the 1st U.S. Kukkiwon Poomsae Seminar, the 1st U.S. Seminar for Hanmadang Referee Certification, and the Kukkiwon Instructor licensing seminar led by Grand Master In-Sik Hwang (Kukkiwon 8th Dan Chairman of Education Committee). 

Of all the instructors at World Martial Arts Academy Master Winkler has the most experience in refereeing and officiating tournaments. She also has a passion for teaching self-defense. 

Competition Experience

  • 3-time National Champion – U.S. National Championships (Olympic Sparring-2), & U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang (Poomsae-1)
  • 6-time Missouri State Gold Medalist – Missouri State Games

Referee/Officiate Experience

Master Winkler has extensive experience as a Taekwondo referee. She holds a USA Taekwondo Class – C Referee certification, a Hanmadang Referee certification, and was awarded Referee of the Year at the U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang in 2016. She has officiated over many state, national, and international tournaments to include:

  • Missouri State Games – Referee
  • U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang – Referee and Ring Captain
  • 2018 Michigan State Hanmadang – Referee
  • 2019 Missouri State Hanmadang – Referee Chairman
  • 2025 Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang – Referee and Ring Captain
About Us

Grand Master William Winkler

The Director of World Martial Arts Academy-Crestwood, Grand Master William Winkler is a 7th Degree Black Belt with over 44 years of experience in Taekwondo. Moving to New York in the 1980s for aerospace engineer work, Grand Master Winkler began his training in 1981 under Grand Master Sang Chul Lee (Former U.S. National Team Coach, and 1st U.S. Olympic Team Coach – 1988 Seoul Olympics). During which time he earned his 1st Degree Black Belt. Returning to St. Louis in the 90’s for work at McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), Grand Master Winkler began training under Grand Master Young Chul Rho (Founder of World Martial Arts Academy, and Missouri Taekwondo Association President 1986-1998).

In 1993 Grand Master Winkler opened the World Martial Arts Academy – Crestwood location under Grand Master Rho. Later taking on the role of Missouri Taekwondo Association President (1998-2006) and managing the Missouri State Games (a pipeline to nationals, and the Olympic team). Currently Grand Master Winkler is the Missouri President of the United States Taekwondo Committee, the organization responsible for the United States Hanmadang movement.

Grand Master Winkler loves everything about Taekwondo! Of all the instructors at World Martial Arts Academy he has the most competitive experience and was ranked among the top 12 athletes in the country (sparring – heavy weight division). He particularly enjoys training and developing student athletes to compete at the highest levels of Taekwondo competition.

Competition Experience

  • 2-time World Champion – Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang (Speed Breaking & Team Poomsae)
  • 3-time World Silver Medalist – Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang (Power Breaking, Pairs Poomsae, & Individual Poomsae)
  • 10-time National Champion – USTU U.S. National Championships (Olympic Sparring-3, Poomsae-1) & U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang (Poomsae-6)
  • 1985 AAU National Champion (Sparring)
  • 1983-86 New York State Champion (undefeated in sparring)

Referee/Officiate Experience

Grand Master Winkler is a certified USA Taekwondo Referee. He has extensive experience in running and officiating Taekwondo tournaments to include:

  • Missouri State Hanmadang – Tournament Director (2019)
  • Missouri State Games – Tournament Director (1998-2006)