WPTIA – ABOUT US
World Para-Taekwondo Instructor’s Association
What: An International Association consisting of Certified Para-Taekwondo Instructors, Coaches, Martial Arts & Para-Sport Leaders and Taekwondo Centers who embrace that Taekwondo is for All and are passionate in making a positive difference in our World.
We are an international organization that welcomes all individuals regardless of affiliation or style.
Why: To empower our global society. We fully believe and advocate that Taekwondo is for All people; it is especially impactful for individuals living with special abilities (disabilities). As the Taekwondo community embraces ALL students, we will create ever-lasting positive change in the lives of countless people… Para-Taekwondo will be a catalyst for global change.
There is currently a lack of support, guidance and awareness of Para-Taekwondo and it our mandate to create a network to create growth and empowerment in all.
When: We are ‘live’ 24/7! In partnerships with the Global Para-Taekwondo University and Therapeutic Martial Arts International, our services and programs are available to all members of WPTIA. Certification opportunities and ongoing training via various internet portals will provide you the skills to grow.
Where: We are working in all continents from grassroots (recreational) programs to high performance sport. We also encourage Taekwondo Instructors to develop martial arts based programs focusing on life skills, character development and martial skills.
How: The World Para-Taekwondo Instructors Association and the Global Para-Taekwondo University has invested thousands of hours in research, development and implementation towards our educational certification programs. We created online programs so we can impact our global society. Everyone can register and learn; and everyone can use this knowledge to instruct others. In addition to offering World’s first and most comprehensive Para-Taekwondo Instructor Certification Course, we provide continuing education via our Member-Only Website for Certified Instructors. Certified Instructors also have the opportunity to become a Chartered Taekwondo Center with the WPTIA with bountiful benefits towards your Taekwondo school’s growth.
The World Para-Taekwondo Instructors Association is the vision of Master Michael Sirota who has been a global pioneer in developing, implementing and promoting Taekwondo and Martial Arts based programs for individuals with various special needs and (special abilities) disabilities. Master Sirota’s mission is to see millions of people with all types of disabilities benefit from Taekwondo training. To date, Master Sirota’s schools have welcomed over one thousand special needs students. He has also consulted individual instructors to international associations on how to develop Para-Taekwondo programs for people with disabilities. Our Para-Taekwondo Online Certification Program educates Taekwondo Coaches, Instructors and Masters from all regions of the World. We are the Leaders of Para-Taekwondo Education and Certification Worldwide.
“I have been blessed to find my purpose in life. To awaken our World and embrace individuals with special abilities to be an integral part of our community. My lifelong passion of martial arts and the responsibility to empower all members of our society, has embarked me on this path that led to the creation of the Global Para-Taekwondo University, the Global Para-Taekwondo Consultancy, World Para-Taekwondo Instructors Association and Therapeutic Martial Arts International. I am fully committed to this Global Vision and am truly delighted to work with every person to facilitate empowerment in All!” – Michael Sirota
After consulting with numerous Instructors and Taekwondo leaders, it became evident that although many wished to welcome students with various challenges into their Taekwondo programs, the instructors and school owners lacked the teaching skills and knowledge to offer qualified and meaningful instruction. The instructors who did decide to welcome special needs students into their programs, never grew the program as they lacked knowledge and guidance on how to succeed. As Taekwondo instructors and school owners it is our duty to positively impact as many lives as possible! The World Para-Taekwondo Instructor’s Association was created with the sole purpose of offering you all the tools to Succeed!
The World Para-Taekwondo Instructors Association brings legitimacy, credibility, quality and value to thousands of Taekwondo coaches, instructors, masters and school owners in the way they deliver programs for individuals with special needs. All this is done without any interference of your school’s operation and any other affiliation you may have. The WPTIA is there to only support you without placing any restrictions on you, your school and your students.
With the passion, knowledge and experience of the WPTIA Team, we will change the lives of millions; while at the same time share with you how to operate ethical and financially successful Para-Taekwondo programs.
We thank you for your interest in expanding your Taekwondo programs, schools and even associations by embracing all people regardless of their abilities.
World Para-Taekwondo Instructors Association Inc.
Leadership
Michael Sirota
CEO
“Together, Lets remove the ‘dis’ and see the Abilities in All!”
Taekwondo Hall of Fame Inductee and Global Para-Taekwondo Pioneer, Michael Sirota has been immersed in Taekwondo since childhood. For the past twenty plus years, he has been operating ethically successful Martial Arts centres in Vancouver, Canada. Entering the new millennium, Michael embarked on a new path of teaching martial arts to individuals with special needs and disabilities. What started as a very small project has grown internationally. With Certified Para-Taekwondo Instructors in almost thirty countries and a busy schedule of conducting international seminars, it is his mission to use the gift of Taekwondo to promote compassion and humanity to those individuals who have been neglected by our society in so many ways. As a global pioneer in Para-Taekwondo, he continues to share his wealth of knowledge and passion with others; so collectively we can improve the lives of millions of people. His vision of creating an international network of qualified Taekwondo Instructors to expand the ‘teachings’ to individuals in their communities and countries is manifested with the creation of the World Para-Taekwondo Instructors Association.
| “Michael has, for many years, devoted his time and experience to developing opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability to participate and enjoy the sport of Taekwondo both in North America/Canada but also globally.
As one of two new sports currently invited to bid for inclusion on the Paralympic Games programme in 2020, the sport is making great progress in becoming inclusive of people with disabilities, and Michael has been a key champion of this cause.” Mr. Nick Parr, |
| “I extend thanks to you and your organization for all that you do for taekwondo all over the world and for the World Taekwondo Federation. Your working to include taekwondo in the Paralympic Games is important work as is your work to educate all of the Member National Federations of the WTF on the issue of inclusion and the ‘how’ of inclusion of the differently-abled. I also believe these are important initiatives as part of WTF efforts to expand awareness of issues affecting differently-abled members.”
Mr. Hoss Rafaty |
| “Michael Sirota has long term great dedication to the development and advancement of Para-Taekwondo as a Paralympic sport at local, regional and international levels.”
Dr. Jagdish Maharaj DSM, DCH, MPH, MMed, FAFRM (RACP) Hon, PhD |
| “Excellent vision, initiative, leadership, and service. These are the best ways to sum up and describe what Global Para Taekwondo Consultancy is as well as its founder, Michael Sirota.Everyone in the Taekwondo community has heard “Taekwondo is for everyone”. However, this has only been partially true. “Everyone” normally did not extend to those with disabilities.
There have been schools that taught students with some sort of disabilities. However, there has never been a program dedicated to this target population. This is a program that focuses training and education specifically for those who cannot be taught through the traditional model of teaching. On top of that, we are now seeing competition opportunities for persons with disabilities. “Taekwondo is for everyone” has now become a reality.The Taekwondo Committee of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM), a 133-member nation organization, has been discussing a “Wounded Warrior” Taekwondo program for several years now. This was intended to cater to disabled soldiers from around the world. With the support of the innovative vision and leadership of Mr. Sirota, the CISM Taekwondo Sport Committee is enthusiastic and confident that this will also become a reality. On behalf of the CISM Taekwondo Sport Committee, and more importantly, as a member of the Taekwondo community, I would like to pass my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Sirota and the Global Para Taekwondo Consultancy for their selfless service to Taekwondo. Taekwondo is truly for everyone!” Sincerely, |
| “I am very excited for you and Taekwondo, you’ve done a great job by moving your sport and access for athletes forward.”
Jane Samletzki |
| “There are few people with a passion for their industry like Michael. I have always been impressed with his loyalty and commitment to making lives better for persons with disability. He is truly an inspiration.”
Professor David Legg |
| “Michael Sirota has great vision and creativity. I am impressed with his Paralympic initiatives in Taekwondo in Canada and within the World Taekwondo Federation. I hope that his programs for Paralympic athletes are adopted worldwide.”
Dr. Terry DeFrietas |
| “Michael has a passion in promoting Martial Arts to people with disabilities. Michael demonstrates great understanding and empathy to children with special needs and people with disabilities; he empowers them to gain confidence and to appreciate self control.“
Ella Huang |
| “Michael has been providing an extremely important service to individuals with disabilities in British Columbia for many years. He teaches a modified martial arts program to this population which is by no means an easy task. He is an unselfish dedicated teacher who is having a positive impact on the lives of so many.We are fortunate to indeed have individuals like Michael in our community who serve as inspirational leaders for us all.”
John Millard |
| Michael is a dedicated professional ,who is committed to the development of taekwondo for all. He has developed Special needs and Para programs to create an all inclusive training environment for his students regardless of Mental or physical ability.We can learn a lot from him.
Martin Fleming |
Awards & Recognitions
- Taekwondo Hall of Fame Inductee – “Humanitarian Taekwondo Instructor”
- Masters Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Martial Arts Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee – Pioneering Special Needs Martial Arts & Pioneer of Para-Taekwondo
- Founder of Global Para Taekwondo Consultancy & Global Para-Taekwondo University
- Para-Taekwondo Development Task Force Member – World Taekwondo Federation
- Para-Taekwondo Director – Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships – Scotland
- Pioneered and Chairperson (past) of the Para-Taekwondo Committee – Taekwondo Canada
- International Master Instructor Certification – World Taekwondo Headquarters/Kukkiwon & World Hapkido Federation
- Taekwondo (Kukkiwon) – 8th Dan, Hapkido (WHF) – 5th Dan
- Consulted various Taekwondo associations and federations on Para-Taekwondo