Nearly 50 years strong: Maka’s Taekwondo eyes international stage with help from community

In 1978, Lisa Maka opened a Taekwondo studio. Now, nearly 50 years later, Maka and her class are looking to compete in an international tournament in Puerto Rico and are fundraising to meet their goals with a pancake feed, raffle auction, and garage sale Saturday, August 16 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Maka’s Taekwondo was established in 1978 in the garage of Houma and Lisa Maka’s home before moving around to different locations in Sioux Falls. In the 1990’s, the Maka’s moved to Tea and found the forever home for their Taekwondo studio on Main Avenue. 

In 2021 Maka’s Taekwondo became a second-generation Martial Arts school with the addition of Houma and Lisa’s daughter, Sara Smith. 

“I was five years old when I stepped into my first Taekwondo class at my family’s business and I remember being so excited to receive a Taekwondo uniform and be included in practice,” Smith said.

Smith, a wife and mother to a son with one on the way, attended Black Hills State University, Spearfish, where she earned a degree in teaching. 

“I taught public school for six years and now co-own Maka’s Taekwondo with my mother, after my father, Houma passed away. I am blessed to work full-time at our martial arts studio and have our son helping me out during the day,” Smith said.

Smith and Maka have worked to create a harmonious environment inside their studio and teach others to model their balance. 

“I often refer to our Taekwondo school as a “third space” of life. Many individuals have their place of work or school, and also their home life, we at Maka’s Taekwondo want to be a third place where people find community, support, and can belong with their families or individuals to improve themselves and simultaneously pouring into each other,” she said.

Whether aged five or 105, Maka’s Taekwondo has classes for every skill level. 

“We offer beginner youth and adult Taekwondo classes for anyone just starting out or early in their journey. There are intermediate and advanced classes for those who have put in more time. In the last six months, we have found the need to add a specific 45-minute stretching class and a 45-minute self-defense class that run back-to-back. We have members who may not be interested in Taekwondo, but are interested in overall health and safety,” Smith said. 

This year, around 50 students and family members have committed to competing against athletes from all over the island of Puerto Rico in their first ever international tournament on October 11. 

“Students from Maka’s Taekwondo will head to San Juan, Puerto Rico to compete against athletes, experience a new culture, and gain the kind of confidence and global perspective that only comes from travel and competitions,” she said. 

Competitors in taekwondo tournaments participate in several events including sparring, forms, and breaking. Forms competition showcases a competitor’s mastery of Taekwondo techniques in a pre-arranged sequence while breaking tests a competitor’s power and precision by breaking wooden boards with various strikes. Whether in Maka’s Taekwondo for a day or a decade, students are determined to prove their skills on an international stage.

 “I love Taekwondo because it makes me feel strong and confident. I’ve learned how to stay focused, work hard, and always show respect to others while challenging myself to see how much I can improve,” said 12-year-old Michaelis Lindberg who has been in Taekwondo since her third birthday. 

Competing internationally is a dream of Lindberg’s and one that could soon come true. 

“Going to Puerto Rico for my first international tournament means so much to me. It’s a huge opportunity to do something I’ve never done before, and I’m really excited, and a little nervous, to meet other athletes from around the world. I know all the time we have spent practicing is going to pay off and that no matter what happens, I will be able to learn from this and have an unforgettable experience,” she said.

Taekwondo provides athletes of all ages with lifelong benefits to their health and enhance self-discipline and self-confidence.

“I started taking classes in the fall of 2002. What I really love about Taekwondo is that it pushes me to be strong – not just physically, but mentally, too. It teaches discipline, confidence, and respect. I like that I can challenge myself to get better every day, and I’ve learned that hard work really does pay off,” said Seresa Lindberg.

Not new to the tournament scene, Lindberg looks forward to returning to compete. 

“This will be my second time attending a tournament in Puerto Rico. Competing in an international tournament is an incredible honor as it’s a chance to learn from others around the world, grow as a martial artist, and to show that with determination and heart, anything is possible,” she said.

To raise funds for the tournament, the team is working to raise money any way they can. 

“Our goal is to raise around $1,000 per student competing, totaling $24,000, by the time we fly out of October 10. The money will cover costs including airfare, hotel, meals, and registration fees. Our community is strong, and we’ve always rallied behind big goals together, so organizing a large-scale fundraiser just made sense,” Smith said. 

Maka’s Taekwondo is asking for the public to come with empty stomachs and full pocketbooks to the Tea Community Hall on Saturday August 16. 

“We will be having a pancake feed, diverse raffle auction, a garage sale, and fun activities for kids and families. It’s going to be a celebration of community and connection, just like our school, and our students will be putting on a demonstration, so it will be breakfast and a show,” she said.

Meeting the $24,000 goal will allow all students to participate in the international tournament they have been waiting years for. 

“I have been in Taekwondo for almost eight years now and I am looking forward to proving that I should be there competing and representing my hometown. I want to see my teammates succeed and I hope to do my part to help this team be successful as well,” said 15-year-old Jax Borchard. 

“We’re doing everything in our power to make sure everyone who wants to go can go. If we fall short, we may have to prioritize by need, but the dream is for all of us to walk into that arena together – united as a team,” Smith said.