Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify the event schedule and history of the U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang.

In an effort to encourage her mom to stay active, Juli Murphy asked Mary Rogers take a complimentary class at the taekwondo studio she attended as part of “Buddy Week.”

Two decades later, Rogers is still going strong, long after her middle daughter decided enough was enough.

“She was at the point where she wasn’t doing much, so I asked her to come to class with me,” said Murphy from her home near Milwaukee. “She came to class and absolutely loved it. People at the studio thought it a hoot that my (then) 60-ish-year-old mom was interested in taking taekwondo. She ended up going further than I did. She’s the one who said I dragged her in kicking and screaming.”

This 83-year-old grandmother who’s still getting her kicks, and she’s bringing her skills to the Broadmoor World Arena this weekend for the 11th annual U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang. She will be competing in creative forms and board breaking.

The event kicks off at the Cheyenne Mountain Archery Range on Thursday, July 25, with archery and knife throwing events. Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, July 26, at The Broadmoor World Arena there will be events such as board breaking and forms. The opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the end of the first day of Taekwondo events. A second day of Taekwondo events will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. There are no events on Sunday.

For a full schedule of events, visit usopentkd.com/event-info/schedule-of-events/

For Rogers, it was all a matter of finding her true passion.

It just her took a while to finally figure it out. At one time, she enjoyed downhill skiing and later took to the weight room. Then, classes to dance the Rumba and spin around a pole — yes, you read that right — followed, but Rogers wasn’t in it for the long haul.

“I got encouraged by my daughter when I was 63, and once she got me in there, I only had to go to one class and I knew this is what I wanted to do,” said Rogers, a longtime resident of Franklin, Wis. “There’s always another challenge, something to work up to. Taekwondo has a family-friendly atmosphere and is a great place to go. My school doesn’t have other people my age, but I learn so much from the younger kids and especially the teenagers. They’re not afraid to teach me new things.”

The U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang started in 2009 in Chicago. It was held there in 2010 and 2011 as well. The Hanmadang moved to the Olympic Training Center and The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs in 2012. It was held annually at the World Arena from 2013 through 2016. In 2017, it was held in Denver and returned to Colorado Springs in 2018. Learn more about the Hanmadang’s history at usopentkd.com/event-info/hanmadang-history/ 

At last year’s Hanmadang, more than 1,300 participants representing 34 states and a handful of foreign countries converged on Colorado Springs. And once again, the U.S. Taekwondo Committee and U.S. Taekwondo Center are partnering with the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation to make participation in the Hanmadang a part of the Rocky Mountain State Games.

Later this week, Rogers will make her first journey to Colorado Springs. It’s a trip that at one time she considered unthinkable after stepping away from the studio following the death of her youngest daughter, Kim, in November 2012.

“She was going into a bad depression, which was understandable,” Murphy said. “Her baby had just passed away. But I knew taekwondo was her passion and she enjoyed doing it. It was the only thing that was going to help her.”

Rogers took that last statement a bit further.

“Taekwondo was lifesaving, both mentally and physically,” Rogers said. “When Kim died, I thought I was going to leave and give up everything. After a while, I realized how important this was to me. I could walk into the school, get focused and let myself heal. That was a very important part that I’ve continued. I just love to do this.”

And as far as expectations go, Rogers, a second-degree black belt, isn’t setting the bar too high for the Hanmadang.

“My goal isn’t necessarily to win,” Rogers said. “I just want to see how good I can be. It has to be fun, too. If it’s fun, I’ll come back.”

McManigal Photography

Mary Rogers, 83, is traveling from Milwaukee to compete in the 11th Annual U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang tournament at the Broadmoor World Arena Friday and Saturday. Rogers is a second degree black belt.

McManigal Photography

Courtesy of Juli Murphy

Mary Rogers, 83, is a second-degree black belt. Rogers began taking taekwondo in her 60s and is traveling this weekend to perform in the 11th annual U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang at The Broadmoor World Arena.

Courtesy of Juli Murphy

Mary Rogers, 83, is traveling from Milwaukee to compete in the 11th Annual U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang tournament at the Broadmoor World Arena July 26 and 27. Rogers is a 2nd degree black belt.