James K. Roberts, Jr.—9th Dan

Grandmaster J.K. Roberts, Jr. —

A native of Hawaii, Roberts has trained and taught in the martial arts for over five decades. His numerous honors include over 300 Grand Champion trophies in forms, sparring, and weapons competitions.

Grandmaster Roberts also holds the unique distinction of carrying the Madison Square Garden Forms Champion title for eleven consecutive years. He was the American Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Potomac Valley Association Tae Kwon Do Chair. He has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from Grandmasters S. Henry Cho, C. S. Kim, Ki Yun Yi, Joon Pyo Choi, and others. Among numerous other awards, he was added to the Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame in 2009.

In 1991, he was promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt and awarded the position of Master Instructor from his teacher of 25 years, the late Grandmaster Ki Whang Kim. In 1998 he was promoted to 8th degree and awarded the position of Grandmaster. In 2014, at the 50th anniversary of Kim Studio, he was promoted to 9th degree by Grandmaster James K. Roberts, Sr. 

Since 1971, Grandmaster Roberts has been devoted to passing on the traditions of the martial arts to Kim Studio students as well as at The American University in Washington, D.C., where he has been adjunct professor since 1983.

Grandmaster Roberts teaches Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:00pm and 7:30pm, Fridays at 7:30pm, and Saturdays at 11am; he also teaches regularly at American University.