LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Inside the Kentucky International Convention Center 12-year-old Carter Martin III makes breaking boards look easy. 

“It hurts sometimes, but it gives you a lot of excitement when you break it,” said Martin as he did a practice kick. 

“When I broke my first board, I was super happy and now I’m breaking boards almost every day. My tips are don’t just stop at the board, and go all the way though and don’t get scared,” he explained. 

He’s a part of Hwang’s Martial Arts Swat team, a group travels the world to compete in Taekwondo tournaments.

The group performs choreographed routines showcasing their martial arts skills.

“Two feet, two hands and one mind. It’s super fun, I like it,” said Martin. 

The group came to Louisville to compete against teams from all over. 

“We have competitors ranging from three years old all the way through adults that have traveled from South Korea, Peru, California, Alaska,” said Director of Operations for Hwang Martial Arts Mimi Hwang. 

Over 750 individuals coming together to not only compete, but to unite in their appreciation for martial arts. 

And Martin’s whole family joins in on the art. 

“By signing them up, I got signed up. And now we are here as a family. It’s a great feeling to have my kids on the mat with me,” said Carter Martin Jr., Martin’s dad. 

Martin plans to continue his training to become a grand master in taekwondo. 

Hwang’s Taekwondo Martial Art has three locations in Kentucky.