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Business Spotlight

Kapeller’s Tae Kwon Do/MMA

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Over the last two decades, hundreds of children and adults have acquired valuable life skills, including discipline and self-defense, at Kapeller’s Tae Kwon Do in McKenzie.
Arthur Kapeller first opened the studio in October 1998 in the McKenzie Shopping Plaza before purchasing the current location on Cedar Street from businessman Earl Pace.
Kapeller was born in New York and raised in west Texas. His family moved to Carroll County when he was 13, and he graduated from Trezevant High School in 1981. His wife, Lisa, is a Trezevant native. They have two adult sons and one granddaughter.
The Army veteran has practiced martial arts since childhood, and as an adult, his family trained together in Milan and earned their black belts.
Kapellers offers several wide-ranging programs. The After-School Program runs from 3-5 p.m. weekdays. Pupils from Kindergarten through eighth grade gather at the studio for training and to do homework. They also play games and are provided snacks. Karate Kids meets at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for 45 minutes and is open to kids ages five through 12. The Young Adult class serves ages 13-29 from 6:15-7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and is a more aggressive, physical program.
The Adult 30+ class meets from 7-7:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Kapeller describes this program as more of a workout than martial arts. In total, the four classes currently have approximately 50 students.

Kapeller’s teaching includes a plethora of elements. He utilizes all traditional weapons, including those originating from Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan and China.
Styles of ground fighting include Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Russian Sambo, Gene LeBell-style wrestling, old-style wrestling and kickboxing.
Kapeller’s had an MMA team from 2006 to 2009, earning numerous wins and accolades around West Tennessee and beyond. In fact, Kapeller’s was the first MMA school in northwest Tennessee.
A member of the Elite Martial Arts Coalition, Kapeller is a Level I MMA instructor and a sixth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He was the 1997 World Champion in Tae Kwon Do.
Kapeller is assisted by one other certified instructor, Jacob Cruse, a fourth-degree black belt. Another student is currently in the process of earning instructor certification.
Kapeller’s demo team will perform at the Park Theatre on Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at the Park Theatre. There will be skits on self-defense and bullying as well as board-breaking and weapons forms demonstration.
To register or for more information, call 731-352-0700 or visit Kapellers Tae Kwon DO on Facebook.