More than 20 thousand people, many of them with lethal front kicks, will gather in Little Rock this week for the American Tae Kwon Do Association's world championship tournament.

            More than 100 students who train at Arkansas ATA Black Belt Academies will participate in this years world championship, and that includes instructor and 5th degree black belt Sean Smith.

            He’s trying for a triple crown, which means a first place finish in forms, weapons and sparring.

            "I'm striving and hoping and I've worked really hard to win all three divisions this year,” Smith says.

But Little Rock martial artists aren't the only people going for the gold, people from 17 countries will descend on the capital city this week to showcase their talent and fiercely compete.

"I don't think a lot of the people here in Little Rock realize that the world championships for Tae Kwon Do is right in their backyard,” Smith says.

            Some people wonder why the Eternal Grand Master of the American Tae Kwon Do Association chose Little Rock as its headquarters, but students say the reason is simple.

            "When he moved over to America he first started it off in Omaha, Nebraska and he wanted to move to Little Rock, Arkansas because he said it reminded him of his home in Korea,” Smith says.

            And while some may think it's an honor for Little Rock host such a prestigious physical competition, students of Tae Kwon Do say it's the mental component that makes the sport what it is.

            "Yes, it's important for them to be athletic for them to exercise but really the life skills they learn, courtesy, discipline, respect are the things that kids as well as adults use in their everyday lives."