The Iowa Taekwondo Alliance exists to support and provide quality Taekwondo instruction and resources for athletes, coaches, and referees in the state of Iowa.
This corporation is formed for scientific, educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Its specific purposes are:
To foster, promote and facilitate the practice of and competition in the art and sport of Taekwondo in the State of Iowa. The organization will seek to provide financial support to promote athletic competition and training in Taekwondo and to facilitate tournaments and sporting events for competition in Taekwondo.
The organization will further seek to provide seminars and educational support for practitioners, referees, coaches and athletes in Taekwondo. ITA will function as a USA Taekwondo (USAT) grassroots organization whose primary function is to develop Taekwondo by means of the National Governing Body and within the rules pertaining to 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code exempt organizations.
Board of Directors
Ryan Bishop, President
Experience:
26 Years in Taekwondo
Rank:
5th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt
Current School:
Bishop's Elite Martial Arts Academy
Accolades/Certifications:
- 3rd Dan Kukkiwon
- 3x USAT Team Trials Poomsae Competitor (2024 -2026)
- 2025 Grand Prix Season Finals Poomsae Bronze Medalist
- 2024 Grand Prix Season Finals Poomsae Silver Medalist
- 2023 Grand Prix Poomsae Bronze Medalist
- 2023 Nationals Poomsae Bronze Medalist
- 2021 Referee of the Year (Iowa State University)
- 2016 Referee of the Year (USA Taekwondo)
- Class A Poomsae Referee
- Class B Kyrougi Referee
Richard Puhl, Referee Chair
Experience:
15 years in Taekwondo
Rank:
5th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt
Current School:
Iowa State University Martial Arts Club, Farrell's Martial Arts
Accolades/Certifications:
- World Taekwondo International Poomsae Referee
- World Taekwondo International Kyorugi Referee
- USAT International Referee
- AAU C.O.R.E. Referee Instructor for Region 6
- Kukkiwon Certified Master - 3rd Class
- Kukkiwon Certified Poom/Dan Examiner - 3rd Class
William Dang, Sparring Representative
Experience:
16 years in Taekwondo
Rank:
4th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt
Current School:
University of Iowa TKD Club
Accolades/Certifications:
VP of UIowa (University of Iowa) Taekwondo club, 2x NCTA Nationals
What I Bring:
As an active collegiate athlete, I bring the mindset and understanding of what it takes to perform in a kyorugi/sparring environment. Competing at the collegiate level has reinforced my discipline, and ability to adapt under pressure. Being a part of the taekwondo community for so long and experiencing high level athletics has developed so many qualities such as communication and preparation which translate directly into ITA. I am driven to bring my passion for kyorugi and TKD as a whole for this association.
Wyatt Sebers, Club Representative
Experience:
20+ years in Taekwondo
Rank:
5th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt
Current School:
Guardian Institute of Martial Arts
Accolades/Certifications:
- AAU Certified Coach
- USAT Certified Dojang
- Kukkiwon Black Belt
- Gold Medalist at the 2025 Kukkiwon World Games
What I Bring:
Active coach and competitor
Chris Schear, Eastern Delegate Representative
Experience:
42 years in Taekwondo
Rank:
6th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt
Current School:
Farrell's Martial Arts, Voorhee's Martial Arts, Iowa State University, Rice Taekwondo
Accolades/Certifications:
National Competition (1986-1991)
- U.S. Junior Olympic Championships, St. Louis, MO -- Kyorugi: Bronze, Poomsae: Gold
- U.S. Junior Olympic Championships, Tulsa, OK -- Kyorugi: Bronze, Poomsae: Gold
- U.S. Junior Olympic Championships, Tampa, FL -- Kyorugi: Silver Poomsae: Gold
- U.S. Junior Olympic Championships Rochester, MN -- Kyorugi: Gold, Poomsae: Silver
- 16th U.S. National Championships, Madison, WI -- Kyorugi: Bronze
- 17th U.S. National Championships, Portland, OR -- Kyorugi: Bronze
- 16th National Collegiate Championships (ISU), Palatine, IL -- Kyorugi: Gold
- 17th National Collegiate Championships (ISU), Berkeley, CA -- Kyorugi: Gold
- U.S. Team Trials (’90), Colorado Springs, CO -- Kyorugi: Bronze
- U.S. Team Trials (’91), Colorado Springs, CO -- Kyorugi: Silver
- U.S. Olympic Festival (’90), Minneapolis, MN -- Kyorugi: Silver
- U.S. Olympic Festival (’91), Los Angeles, CA -- Kyorugi: Bronze
Awards and Recognition:
- Outstanding Service and Dedication (ISU Martial Arts, Y.C. Pak-1987)
- Student of the Year (Rice Taekwondo-1988)
- Outstanding Service and Dedication (ISU Martial Arts, Y.C. Pak-1989)
- Competitors Appreciate Award for Outstanding Performance, Dedication and Achievement (ISU Martial Arts, Y.C. Pak-1990)
- Junior Leader of the Year (ISU Martial Arts, Y.C. Pak-1991)
- Outstanding Accomplishments, Performance, Dedication and Cooperation in Martial Arts (Iowa State Black Belt Association-1991)
What I Bring:
Leadership and experience spanning four decades of Taekwondo competition as an athlete and coach. Dating back to 1989 and the United States Taekwondo Union, have held referee certifications D-1, C-1, and B-1. Member of the Iowa Black Belt Association from 1989-1994, and the State of Iowa Black Belt Association since 2012. Founding board member of the Iowa Taekwondo Alliance since its establishment in 2014.