SAPULPA, OK — After nearly a decade away from international competition, the World Taekwondo Alliance (WTA) has officially returned to the global stage with an impressive performance at the 2026 UTTC International World Cup held July 4–5 in Canada.
For Crimson Sparrow Martial Arts (CSMA), based in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, the event marked a significant milestone. It had been 10 years since the Richardson family—and leaders of CSMA—last competed internationally. When the opportunity to attend surfaced earlier this year, the decision was immediate.
“What started as a simple moment—seeing the event come across social media—quickly turned into a mission,” said Kimberly Richardson of Crimson Sparrow Martial Arts. “We knew this was the right opportunity not only for our family, but to help position our school and our organization back onto the world stage.”
Through coordinated outreach, the effort expanded to include three WTA schools and two affiliated schools, bringing together a team of 33 competitors representing Magnolia, Arkansas; Frisco, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Crimson Sparrow Martial Arts contributed 14 competitors, ranging in age from 11 to 52.
Preparation for the international event spanned a full year and included monthly virtual training sessions, post-tournament workouts, specialized camps, and additional team practices. Athletes trained under the guidance of Grand Master McNeely, President of the World Taekwondo Alliance, and Grand Master Troy Burleson. Even while in Canada, competitors continued training and strategy sessions via Zoom and FaceTime to ensure readiness.
The UTTC International World Cup featured approximately 500 competitors from eight countries, offering a highly competitive environment across all divisions.
WTA-USA delivered a strong performance, earning a total of 35 medals. Crimson Sparrow Martial Arts accounted for 11 of those medals, while partner schools also demonstrated exceptional results.
Team Results Included:
Impact Martial Arts (Indianapolis, IN) — 16 Medals
Notable achievements included multiple first-place finishes in point sparring and team sparring divisions.
Magnolia Taekwon-Do Academy (Magnolia, AR) — 8 Medals
Competitors earned strong placements in team sparring, team patterns, and individual pattern divisions.
Crimson Sparrow Martial Arts (Sapulpa, OK) — 11 Medals
- Kimberly R. – 1st Place Patterns & 3rd Place Point Sparring
- Kaedin R. – 3rd Place USA Team 5-Man Continuous Sparring
- Mason R. – 2nd Place Continuous Sparring & 2nd Place Point Sparring
- Emma R. – 1st Place Patterns
- Ashley M. – 2nd Place Patterns
- Wade D. – 1st Place Patterns & Point Sparring
- Kendra T. – 2nd Place Patterns
- Aron S. – 3rd Place Point Sparring
- Rashie S. – 2nd Place Continuous Sparring
Strong performances and warrior spirit also shown by:
- CSMA – Lily M., Heather R., Val Y., Kai Y., Sky Y.
In addition to medalists, athletes from all participating schools demonstrated exceptional effort, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the event.
While the medal count reflected competitive success, organizers emphasized that the greater value of the experience extended beyond podium finishes.
“This was about growth, discipline, and representing something bigger than ourselves,” Richardson said. “Our athletes gained invaluable experience competing at a global level, and that will carry forward into everything we do.”
The team also expressed appreciation to UTTC for hosting a high-quality international event and providing athletes with the opportunity to compete against top talent from around the world.
Special recognition was given to Grand Master McNeely for his continued mentorship and leadership. His philosophy—“Enjoy and relish in the rewards of your labor. Win or lose, everyone gets 24 hours to celebrate or pout—after that, it’s back to the next goal”—served as a guiding principle throughout training and competition.
Crimson Sparrow Martial Arts and the WTA-USA team also extended sincere gratitude to the supporters, sponsors, and community members who contributed to fundraising efforts that made the trip possible.
“This was more than a tournament—it was a defining moment for our athletes and our organization,” Richardson added. “And we are just getting started.”
For more information about Crimson Sparrow Martial Arts, upcoming programs, or future competitions at crimsonsparrowma.com