The Ottawa Martial Arts Academy, Inc. is the Home of the "Ottawa Dragons". The "Ottawa Dragons" traveling Tae Kwon Do Club tracks back to approximately 1983. The "Ottawa Dragons" club was based at the Y.M.C.A. in Ottawa, IL. The "Ottawa Dragons" in the beginning where instructed by Mr. David Walters, Mr. Larry Childs, and Mr. Peter Witkowski. These instructors taught at the YMCA in Ottawa for a number of years. They competed regularly in W.T.F. and U.S.N.T.F. competitions. Mr. Witkowski decided to move his interests to the YMCA in Streator, IL and adopted the name of "Pete & Elaine's Tae Kwon Do". Mr. Walters and Mr. Childs continued to instruct the "Ottawa Dragons" for a number of years at the Ottawa YMCA. Mr. Radke started training with Mr. Walters and Mr. Childs in 1989. Mr. Walters left the "Ottawa Dragons" in 1991 after several breaks from instructing. Mr. Childs and Mr. Radke instructed the "Ottawa Dragons" with a shift in the curriculum to include cross training in Judo and HapKiDo. This cross training spurred much interest in the "Ottawa Dragons" and competitions shifted to also include Open Martial Arts Tournaments and Demonstrations. Mr. Childs handed total control of the "Ottawa Dragons" to Mr. Radke in 1993. The "Ottawa Dragons" was then incorporated as "Ottawa Martial Arts Academy, Inc. by Mr. Radke. The Academy has had 2 homes since it left the Ottawa Y.M.C.A. and is now permanently located South of the Illinois River on IL 23 and Center Street.
Master Ross Radke (far left) with the "Ottawa Dragons" Tae Kwon Do Club Circa 1995.
The heritage of the "Ottawa Dragons" lives on today at the Ottawa Martial Arts Academy! Thanks to these past instructors and their diligence. This diligence continues on in the skillful hands of Soke Ross and Master Debbie.
"Achieving Balance in Life"
Please feel free to come visit our facility anytime.