For more than 32 years, Blackman’s Championship Martial Arts has been a trusted part of the  Albuquerque community, helping students of all ages grow stronger, more confident, and more  disciplined both on and off the mat. 

The school is led by husband and wife team, Phillip Blackman, a sixth-degree black belt with  more than 36 years of study in Taekwondo and Hapkido, and his wife, a fifth-degree black belt.  Blackman’s Championship Martial Arts was founded in Albuquerque in 1993 after relocating  from Los Angeles to be closer to family and create a more grounded life. What began as small  classes taught on a gym’s aerobics floor has grown into a 9,500-square-foot facility serving  thousands of students over the decades. 

Blackman’s Championship Martial Arts offers programs for students as young as three through  adults and seniors, with instruction in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Jujutsu, weapons training, and  more. While martial arts technique is important, the school’s true focus is character development.  Discipline, respect, confidence, accountability, and perseverance are woven into every class,  creating what the Blackmans describe as “champions in life,” not just on the mat. 

Though they do not have children of their own, the Blackmans consider their students part of  their extended family. Over the years, they have mentored thousands of children and teens,  watching them grow into focused, confident, and responsible young adults. That sense of  community is one of the hallmarks of the school and a key reason many families stay for years. 

What sets Blackman’s apart is experience. Instruction is led by career martial artists with  decades of hands-on teaching and real-world knowledge, offering traditional, time-tested training  tailored to each student’s age and goals. Success is measured not by belt rank alone, but by  personal growth and life skills gained along the way. 

Blackman’s Championship Martial Arts is also deeply involved in the community, partnering  with local schools and youth programs, hosting free educational events, and supporting the arts  as Directors Level donors to Popejoy Theater at UNM. 

Above all, the Blackmans are grateful for the Albuquerque community that has supported their  school for more than three decades and continues to trust them with what matters most.