ATMAA Honors Grand Master Diwakar Maharjan in Virginia
RESTON, VA — The American Taekwon-Do Martial Arts Academy (ATMAA) honored internationally respected Taekwondo leader Grand Master Diwakar “Dan” Maharjan during a special ceremony held at the academy in Reston, Virginia, on September 9, 2026.
ATMAA Founder and Headmaster Master Krishna Balal presented a Special Honor to Grand Master Maharjan in recognition of his lifelong dedication, historic achievements, inspirational leadership, and invaluable contributions to the development of Taekwondo in Nepal, the United States, and the international martial arts community.
Grand Master Maharjan is a pioneer of Nepali Taekwondo and an internationally recognized instructor, coach, mentor, and referee. He began his Taekwondo journey in Nepal in 1982 and later served as a national coach, training numerous national and international athletes and champions.
He currently holds an 8th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and an 8th Dan in Hapkido, reflecting more than four decades of discipline, perseverance, leadership, and distinguished service to martial arts.
After moving to the United States, Grand Master Maharjan established his Taekwondo school in Portland, Oregon, in 1995. He is recognized as the first Nepali Taekwondo instructor to establish and operate a Taekwondo school in the United States—a historic milestone for the Nepali martial arts community.
Through his courage, sacrifice, determination, and leadership, Grand Master Maharjan paved the way and became an inspiration for future generations of Nepali martial arts instructors in America.
Grand Master Maharjan is also the visionary founder of the International Open Friendship Taekwondo Championships (IOFTC), established in 2000 to provide meaningful competitive opportunities and unite Taekwondo practitioners from different countries, cultures, organizations, and backgrounds.
The mission of the IOFTC is to promote international friendship, cultural exchange, peace, unity, harmony, solidarity, sportsmanship, mutual respect, and cooperation among Taekwondo practitioners worldwide. Held in different countries every two years, the championship has brought together hundreds of athletes, instructors, coaches, referees, and martial arts leaders from around the world.
The 16th International Open Friendship Taekwondo Championships and Cultural Festival is scheduled to be held in Melbourne, Australia, on November 28–29, 2026. The event will continue Grand Master Maharjan’s mission of strengthening the global Taekwondo community through competition, friendship, and cultural exchange.
Grand Master Maharjan is also recognized as the first Nepali Taekwondo referee to attain the prestigious international “ A -Class” referee designation. This historic accomplishment reflects his professional excellence, integrity, and decades of dedicated service to the sport.