My Thoughts on the USA Taekwondo and AAU MOU- An Editorial
by Master Marc Zirogiannis
January 21, 2026-Having been a practitioner of Taekwondo for more than four decades I have seen and heard a lot of interesting things. My Taekwondo pedigree is respectable, I think, from an objective perspective. I was lucky enough to work the floor of the historic 1993 11th World Taekwondo Championships at Madison Square Garden and the 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Charlotte, NC. In the years in between those events I have lived a life immersed in the art and sport of the world’s most practiced martial art.
There have been many changes throughout my years as a member of the Taekwondo community. There have been changes in organizations and organizational leadership of Taekwondo. Changes in Sparring rules. Changes in the importance and value of competitive poomsae. Changes in the significance of Para-Taekwondo. Changes in the age demographics of people that practice and compete in our sport and art. Change can be hard for some, but it is inevitable. In my experience in the world of Taekwondo I never jump to be too critical, or too laudatory of change. I try to understand the goals. I try to assess the execution. I try to be part of the process and I try to help, where I can, in the most constructive way possible.
At the end of 2025 USA Taekwondo, the Official Taekwondo MNA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AAU Taekwondo to engender cooperation and to foster national growth of the membership of both organizations. This was a significant change in direction for both organizations.
It seems intuitive that two major Taekwondo organizations working together, coordinating schedules, coordinating training, and integrating Coaching and Referee training mechanisms would be a value added bonus for Taekwondo practitioners throughout the United States.
I read the MOU. It has been circulated. Nothing about it seems controversial, or problematic, on its face. Yet, it seems to have become the source of great controversy. I saw it referred to as a “secret” document. Not sure that this allegation computes as USA Taekwondo, itself, did a Press Release announcing the MOU; highlighting the key elements of it. I don’t know many “secret” documents that are published by the parties attempting to keep it discreet.
While I don’t know whether this MOU and alignment will result in material, positive changes I fail to see the downside. USA Taekwondo has grown significantly under the leadership of Steve McNally. The US MNA was voted best in the world for two consecutive years by World Taekwondo. The membership numbers have grown since the lows of the Global Pandemic. The finances appear to be stable, and growing stronger. The relocation and expansion of the National Center of Excellence to Charlotte appears to demonstrate a solid commitment to the future of the United States’ Taekwondo program.
On the other hand AAU has faced some significant, recent challenges. This is no secret. That organization, which has traditionally represented the fundamental grassroots element of our National Taekwondo, faced some critical challenges in 2024-2025. In fact, many AAU practitioners, coaches, and athletes were demanding a change at the conclusion of AAU‘s Nationals in 2025. In fact, the outcry at that time was very vocal, and very public. I took it to mean that the critics genuinely were looking for a change.
As 2026 approached AAU Taekwondo underwent a major reconstruction and new leadership assumed the helm of that organization. Jumping into a troubled organization is a bold move; however, the opportunities for the ambitious and mission-focused are plentiful. There appears to be energy, enthusiasm, and a desire of this leadership to create a synergistic alignment with USA Taekwondo, whose success appears tested. This, to me, seems to be a sensible and humble approach to stabilize the organization and offer better services to its “customers”- the taekwondo practitioner.
Yet, the immediate result of the signing of the MOU has been a flood of negativity and personal attacks polluting the social media landscape. While I find that open communication can be fruitful, and indicative of people’s passion for the art and sport they love so much, I find the personal and vulgar nature of some of the attacks to be destructive. Change can be hard. Change can leave some people behind. Change can leave some people feeling dissatisfied. However, what message are we sending to the world about our art when we engage in vulgar attacks on fellow members of our community. Is our sport distinct from our art? Are we not still members of a Taekwondo community? We are a traditional martial art first. In every Dojang in the world worth training in we use the word RESPECT. Have we forgotten the meaning of that word? Dialogue is good. Passion is good. Disagreement is normal. However, let’s treat each other with the respect commensurate with the belts we earned and the uniforms we wear. Taekwondo is supposed to be the antidote to the incivility of the general society. We should be making society better, not resolving our differences by slinging arrows of discourtesy, and dissension.
As for me, I have seen many MOU’s and commitments before. Will this one meaningfully change the lives of Taekwondo practitioners for the better? We will see. Meanwhile, I remain committed to doing my part on an individual level and institutional level to create an environment of respect and dignity and to support what is best for the community I have devoted my life to for 40 years.
