PRO-TKD schools are founded and owned by master instructor Doug Fuechsel. Master Fuechsel’s early passion for the martial arts caused him to move to Seoul, Korea where he trained and received his black belt under the tutelage of Korean national champion and master instructor, Master Lee, Hyung Ro and from the Taekwondo World headquarters, Kukkiwon. During his time in Korea he co-stared in the martial art movie “The Champion”. Upon returning to the US, his love for Taekwondo lead him into opening his first full time dojang in Salt Lake City in 1976. Since that time his dedication, training and instruction of Taekwondo has fostered many accomplishments.
Master Fuechsel became a rated competitor in the point karate circuit and fostered many champion students. As Taekwondo made its advancement into the Olympic arena, Master Fuechsel moved to Colorado Springs from 1986-1991, where he served as team captain of the resident program at the Olympic Training Center and was an Olympic spokesperson. At that time and through 2004, he served on the national governing body of the United States Taekwondo Union as a state president, secretary general and delegate at large. As a competitor he has been a national sparring champion and world forms champion. His instructor, Grand Master Lee, Sang Chul was ten year US national team coach, first Pan Am and Olympic coach. In 1992, he moved to Aspen to open U.S. Taekwondo Center Aspen, which later evolved into PRO-TKD as a result of the PRO-TKD television shows. In 1998 the United States Taekwondo Union chose him as instructor of the year.
PRO-TKD television was the brainchild of Master Fuechsel to take Taekwondo and its incredible athletes to a global, professional level and to feature them on television. PRO-TKD’s “Taekwondo 2000” pay per view was the first sport martial art event ever to be covered by major newspapers and sport radio from coast to coast with Roger Craig as the spokesperson. The success of Taekwondo 2000 prompted the world’s largest talent agency, William Morris to represent PRO-TKD. This was again another first for the Martial Art world. PRO-TKD’s ESPN series featuring PRO-TKD, PRO-JUDO and PRO-SUMO established ratings for the first time for sport martial art and were shown around the world and in many different languages.
During the twelve years in the Roaring Fork Valley, Master Fuechsel has instructed hundreds of students and produced several dozen black belts. In the competitive arena, Master Fuechsel has produced multiple state champions and three national champions. Within the community, many scholarships have been offered to help students reach their goals. Master Fuechsel has worked with the schools, courts and Youth Zone to help troubled youth.
Currently, Master Fuechsel is a seventh degree black belt and is enjoying his thirtieth year of training Taekwondo students. He also teaches Kimoodo Healing Arts and is authoring his first book.
