About TKA

Tompkins Karate Association (TKA)

TKA has been a trusted partner of county recreation departments in suburban Maryland since it was founded in 1965 by Dale Tompkins. We provide excellent martial arts instruction at reasonable prices to students of all ages and skill levels. Our goal is to provide the finest instruction in traditional martial arts using modern learning theory and techniques in a safe, fun, and friendly environment.  This method has produced a huge community of dedicated and outstanding martial artists.   

TKA students will develop strength, flexibility, coordination, and physical fitness as well as  a sense of self-confidence, responsibility, and respect for self and others. Students are encouraged to develop creativity while honing basic skills.  Our classes are structured to accommodate any level of physical fitness and capability, and we are committed to helping our students set and attain goals.

Students learn two styles of martial art. The first is a Korean empty handed fighting system known as Tang Soo Do (Way of the Chinese Hand).   The second is Jujitsu (Gentle Art), a Japanese grappling system. In addition to our primary focus on these two systems, we incorporate techniques and concepts from other styles in order to provide our students with a more holistic view of the martial arts.

TKA students can not only obtain black belt ranks in Tang Soo Do and Jujitsu, but they may also enjoy tournament competition at both intramural and national levels, receive instruction in traditional weapons, attend seminars in other martial arts, and instruct underbelt students.

More than a thousand TKA members attend approximately 80 classes each week.  Through our well established and time-tested program, students can progress from beginner through intermediate and advanced levels.  While many modern martial arts schools view black belt as the end goal, we consider black belt to be just the beginning. Black belt students are encouraged to continue learning new techniques and concepts while also training and developing higher levels of proficiency in the fundamentals.

Our Founder

Mr. Dale Tompkins, Founder and President of TKA, is a graduate of Montgomery College and the University of Maryland. He holds a Master of Arts in Physical Education. He was a Physical Education Specialist in the Montgomery County School System and is currently Adjunct Professor of the Martial Arts program at Montgomery College.  Mr. Tompkins is the Associate Chairman of the World Martial Arts Federation. He currently holds the rank of 5th degree black belt in Se Gye Jun Ye Sool Hue and 8th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.

You can learn more by checking out our Howard County, Montgomery County, or PG County class pages, checking with your local recreation department, reading our FAQ’s, or by Contacting Us.