About Us
Estabilished 2005
Welcome to Velocity Taekwondo, where excellence in martial arts is our passion. Co-owned by World Champion Danielle Pelham and her father/world class coach David Pelham, our academy is built on a legacy of achievement and expertise. With program is designed for all ages and fitness levels and we are committed to helping you achieve your personal goals. Join us and experience the confidence and empowerment that comes with training at Velocity Taekwondo!
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Velocity Taekwondo Quick History
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2005 Velocity opened in a 3000sqft warehouse in Kent Washington with a goal of creating an athlete focused competition Taekwondo team.
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​2009 Danielle Pelham wins World Taekwondo Championships in Copenhagen Denmark.
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2010 Velocity moved to a larger facility in Kent adding a gym for high level athletes, an after school program and more traditional classes.
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2015 Danielle Pelham represents Ghana at the African Games winning Bronze.
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2020 Danielle Pelham retired from international competition.
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2020 During the pandemic Velocity downsized to small warhouse in Kent focusing maining on high level athlete development.
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​2023 Sierra Leone appoints Velocity athletes George Holland & Max Manson to the national team and Dave Pelham national team coach.
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2025 Velocity opens new 14,000sqft world class facility in Auburn Washington.
Instructors & Coaches
Team Velocity Past & Present
World Class Athlete Achievements
the following Velocity Athletes competed at International & world championship level events.
George 'Tre' Edward Holland III (Active)
2023-Current Sierra Leone National Team Member
2023 World Taekwondo Championships 0/1
2024 Solidairty Open Champion
2025 World Taekwondo Championships 0/1
Maxwell Manson (Active)
2023-Current Sierra Leone National Team Member
2023 World Taekwondo Championships 0/1
2025 World Taekwondo Championships 1/1
Christian Valencia (retired)
2008 USA Collegiate National Team Member
2008 Olympic Team Trials athlete
AAU National Team Member
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Richard Chung (retired)
2014 USA Jr National Team Member
2014 World Taekwondo Jr. Championships 2/1
2014 US Open Champion
Jon Marc Cortez (retired)
AAU National Team Member
2010 USA U-24 National Team Member
4 time Jr. Black Belt Festival Champion
Nicole Vancleave (retireed)
2010 USA Jr. National Team Member
2010 World Taekwondo Jr. Championships 0/1
Kiana Lo (retired)
USA 2008 Jr. National Team Member
USA 2009 Senior Team Trials Silver
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Drew Thompson (retired)
202? USA Collegiate Team Member
202? World Collegiate Taekwondo Championships 0/1
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Danielle Pelham (retired)
2000 USA Jr National Team Member
2000 World Taekwondo Jr Championships 2/1
2004 Collegiate World Championships Bronze Medalist
2009 World Taekwondo Championships Gold Medalist 6/0
2015 African Games Bronze Medalist
2016 Rio Olympic Qualifier Bronze Medalist
Multi Time USA National Team
Multi Time AAU National Team
Multi Time USA Collegiate National Team Member
Multi Time Ghana National Team member