Tang Soo Do
Mr. Koivisto has trained in Tang Soo Do with Range Martial Arts periodically throughout his life. His training began under Mr. Yukich in the 1980s when he was very young, and he returned again during high school in the early 1990s. His first class was in the summer of 1985, when classes were held in the Buhl school gymnasium.
During those early years of training, Mr. Koivisto developed many of the philosophies that would help guide him through the challenges he would face throughout life. Through Tang Soo Do, he developed a higher standard for his work and a deeper appreciation for accomplishment. He learned perseverance and discovered that the things he set out to achieve could be reached through hard work and determination.
Between periods of formal training, from 1996 to 2007, Mr. Koivisto would occasionally stop by the dojang to see what was happening in class. Work and family responsibilities did not allow him to participate regularly, but his desire to return to training never left.
When his schedule eventually changed, Mr. Koivisto returned to classes at Range Martial Arts in October 2007. This time, he brought a new generation with him to train in the art of Tang Soo Do. While he faced new challenges in his own training, he was eager to learn and quickly found enjoyment in teaching—not only his own children, but all members of the school.
Mr. Koivisto has more than 25 years of active training, teaching, and learning with the same organization under which he currently teaches. He successfully tested for his black belt in September 2009, was promoted to 2nd dan in October 2012, and earned his 3rd dan in November 2016.
His commitment to the school has been demonstrated time and again. In January 2021, he took over responsibility for the business as a whole. As a World Tang Soo Do Association-certified black belt instructor, he takes pride in teaching as an example of what hard work and perseverance can help students achieve.
Mr. Koivisto strives to help students understand techniques and philosophies that may initially seem difficult or overwhelming. He often presents familiar examples, activities, and situations that allow students to see techniques and martial arts principles from a new perspective.
His commitment extends beyond the school itself. Since 2010, Mr. Koivisto has been involved in regional operations and leadership. His responsibilities have included administration of websites and digital assets, teaching and hosting events, serving as an international-level judge, volunteering for security responsibilities at regional and national events, and assisting with judging certification processes.
He is also a member of the WTSDA Technical Committee and, as of 2026, is a WTSDA master's candidate.
Haidong Gumdo
In 2012, Master Koivisto began teaching Haidong Gumdo classes at Range Martial Arts to a small group of students. Over the following months, the program developed within the school and was eventually offered to additional students.
He has trained under Chief Master Robert Frankovich as part of Midwest Haidong Gumdo, Senior Chief Master Marshall Parnell of the World Haidong Gumdo Federation, as well as Headmaster Jeong-Woo Kim, President of Education and Headquarters Dojang Head Instructor for the World Haidong Gumdo Federation. Master Koivisto most recently tested for his 4th dan rank in May 2019.
Master Koivisto brings decades of experience from his Tang Soo Do training and teaching directly into the Haidong Gumdo program. Students who ask questions about body mechanics, breathing, focus, and other aspects of training often discover that there is much more to explore beneath the surface of each technique.
He is known for relating martial arts philosophies and techniques to familiar activities and everyday situations. By connecting concepts to each individual student's experience and understanding, Master Koivisto strives to provide the most effective and meaningful training possible.
