From a modest Dojang in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, to the "United States Taekwon-Do Center" and multiple affiliate schools! Over the past 20 years, the Cancelliere family, under the banner of the USTC has diligently promoted the art of Taekwon-Do in and around the Philadelphia area.

Mario Cancelliere was born on November 2, 1947, in a small town in the province of Isernia-Molice, Italy. At the age of two, his father, in hopes of providing the family with a better life, immigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Searching for a means of defending himself, Mario took up boxing and wrestling. Dissatisfied with both, he eventually abandoned them. One day he happened upon a local martial arts school, and became intrigued with the art of Taekwon-Do. He went on to earn a first-degree black belt under Master Bong Pil Yang and continued his Taekwon-Do training under Master Hector O. Marano. In 1982, he opened his first Taekwon-Do Dojang in Buenos Aires Argentina. The following year, the Cancelliere's returned to the United States and opened the Original Cancelliere Taekwon-Do Studio at 4665 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
With the help of his wife Monica, and two children, Marcello and Veronica, the Cancelliere Taekwon-Do Studio flourished and in 1986 became known as the United States Taekwon-Do Center. That same year the U.S.T.C. graduated their first group of black belts. In 1987, the U.S.T.C. hosted its first annual championship, which is now known as the Red Tiger Cup

1991 was an important year for the USTC as its first RED TIGER do-jang was opened in Feasterville, Pa. In the years to follow, the USTC made some of its most substantial growth extending beyond the boundaries of Pennsylvania with branches in Pittsburgh, Ohio and Puerto Rico. Since then, Red Tiger has become one of the most recognizable and reputable names in Taekwon-do.

In addition to its growth locally, international recognition soon followed for the USTC as Sa bum nim Marcello F. Cancelliere became the 1st USTC Black Belt ever selected to the US National Taekwon-do Team. He went on to represent the US National Team 4 times (Malaysia 1994, Russia 1997, Argentina 1999, Canada 2007), twice as its Captain (97 & 99) and once as its Head Coach (Germany 2005). Since then, members of the USTC-RED TIGER have been an integral part of the US National Teams bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals for the USA!

In September of 2000, the USTC inaugurated its state of the art headquarters in Northeast Philadelphia. This facility was constructed explicitly for use as a Taekwon-do do-jang. Today, the USTC, with its dedicated and loyal instructors, continue to promote and spread the art of Taekwon-Do in Pennsylvania.
The mission of the USTC is to promote the art of Taekwon-do, not just in and around the Philadelphia area, but across the great divide of the United States, hence the name United States Taekwon-Do Center. With the help of their dedicated black belts and instructors, and the vision of its President, Master Mario Cancelliere, reaching that goal is just over the horizon.
20 years of teaching excellence - October 18, 1983 - 2003