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List of taekwondo grandmasters

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Many taekwondo grandmasters are natives of South Korea, the birthplace of the martial art

This list of taekwondo grandmasters includes notable persons who have been recognized as grandmasters of the Korean martial art of taekwondo. There is no single, universally-recognized set of criteria to define a taekwondo grandmaster; different organizations and different styles have their own rules. Those listed below are grouped by system: Kukkiwon (widely known as the World Taekwondo Headquarters), International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), and other systems (which includes some persons receiving ranks from taekwondo organizations that predate the other two systems, e.g., the original Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA)) and United Taekwondo Association UWTA.

Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters)

tThis list includes persons who:

  1. are ranked at least 9th -10th depending school dan by Kukkiwon (the highest rank normally awarded to living persons within that system);
  2. are notable as individuals; and
  3. are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.
Name Rank Life Residence Prominence References
Kang, Myung Kyu 10th dan 1933-2012 United States of America A highly decorated Korean War Veteran of the South Korean Army. He was a very accomplished and well-respected 10th degree Grandmaster in Tae Kwon Do and a Master in Judo. He taught these and other martial arts disciplines at the United Martial Arts College in Sacramento, California (USA) which he founded in 1964. His school teaches a traditional style of Moo Duk Kwon Tae Kwon Do. Among his thousands of students were Michael Ajay and Clint Robinson. Martial Art Training - Kang's United Arts College, LLC

http://kangsunitedartscollege.com

Grandmaster Man-hee Han 9th dan [1] 1938– Grandmaster Han was on the Board of Directors of the Korean Tae Kwon Do Federation in its early days.[citation needed] He helped design the Palgue forms presently used by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.[citation needed] Grandmaster Man Hee Han is the founder of the Youn Wha Ryu System of martial arts. It is based in traditional Tae Kwon Do, incorporating elements of Hapkido, Karate, Kung Fu and Judo.
Kwak, Byung-Yul 8th dan United States of America Learned from Grandmaster Yun Hun Shin

Joined South Korean Air Force in 1962,

Taught Taekwondo to American Air Force reserves,

Opened the first branch of Mun Moo Kwan in the United States of America in 1969,

8th Dan Black Belt from Kukkiwon 9th Dan Chang Moo Kwan

Chang, Tae Rang 9th dan 1941- United States of America 9th Dan Black Belt (No. 05000023) from Kukkiwon on December 15, 1993 appointed under President Un Yong Kim.

Certified No. 253 September 22,1973 from The World Taekwondo Federation qualified as an International Master-Instructor in the Art and Science of Taekwondo appointed under President Un Yon Kim

Opened his first dojang World Martial Arts in 1973 (New Jersey). Taught Taekwondo for over 25 years in his own dojang until 1998.

In 1991, Grand Master Chang began as the Rockville Center Police Training Office teaching Taekwondo under Police Commissioner John P. McKeon.

On October 7, 2000, he successfully completed United States Taekwondo Union (USTU) Licensing Program Seminar for Grand Master Instructors. USTU is recognized by The United States Olympic Committee

Continued his teaching with Nassau County Police Athletic League until 2007.

Awarded for 20 years Service as the Training Officer for the Rockville Centre Police (1991-2011) Presented by Charles A. Gennario, Police Commissioner of Rockville Centre Police Dept.

Hong Sung-chon 9th dan 1945– Philippines Kukkiwon Chairman of the Board (2016–). CEO and Chief Instructor of the Philippine Taekwondo Association (1975–) [2]
Choi, Joon 10th dan 1945–2021 Creator of Battle of Columbus, Olympic Coach, Founding father of Oriental Martial Arts College, coached teams in the 3rd World Taekwondo Championship – 1977 in Chicago where the team became 3rd place in the world; 1988 U. S. National Team Coach for the Seoul Olympics which brought home 11 medals, US women's Team became 1st place in the world and the Men's Team became 2nd place in the world.
Chung, Sun-yong 9th dan c. 1940 Portugal Father of Taekwondo in Portugal (1974)

Founded the Portuguese Taekwondo Association

Author of the first Taekwondo book ever published in the Portuguese language (1975) also distributed in Brazil

Promoter of Taekwondo in Portuguese speaking countries like Angola, Mozambique, etc.

Received Korean Presidential award.

Lee, Eun-woo 9th dan 1948– South Africa President of Kwanjangdo(KJD) in South Africa and the United Kingdom, Technical Director of the Mozambique Taekwondo Federation and Technical Advisor for Swaziland. Kukkiwon Technical Advisor. [3]
Lee, Moo-yong 10th dan 1938–2016 United States of America 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from President Obama's Council on Physical Fitness. Promoted to 10th Dan posthumously on 21 February 2017. [4][5]
Ahn, Kyongwon 9th dan 1937– United States of America Founded United Taekwondo Association; former president of the United States Taekwondo Union See main article
Goh, Chae-t. 9th dan 1950s– Korea secretary for 8/9 dan testing [6] Co-Grandmaster of the year 1994. Winner, first king of the world competition (YouTube)
Cha, Yong-kil 9th dan 1946– Germany President of the Jidokwan Europe Federation [7]
Chang, Seong-dong 9th dan 1953– South Korea President of Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy, founder of Taekwondo in India [8]
Choi, Eung-gil 9th dan unknown- United States of America Korean Special Forces Takewondo champion (1975–1977)[9]

Served as Peaceful Unification Advisor for the South Korean Government to improve its relationship with North Korea (1999-2005)[10]

Received the Korean Presidential award for outstanding performance as a peaceful unification advisor.[10]

Founded USTMA in Leesburg Virginia

Founded the "Kick Cancer Out of this World" benefit event which has raised over $120,000 for cancer charities.

Awarded the Korean National Medial of Honor (14 October 2017) by the Government of South Korea.

[9][10]
Choi, Tae-hong 9th dan 1935–2009 United States of America Founded first taekwondo school in Oregon, United States; former vice-president of the United States Taekwondo Union See main article
Chung, Sun-hwan 9th dan 1940– United States of America Founder of Moo Sool Do and President of World Academy of Martial Arts Association. Korean National Champion (1963-1965). Kukkiwon Advisory Council (2008). Hall of Fame - U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society. Former President, U.S.T.U. Michigan Tae Kwon Do Association. [11][12][13]
Dong, Seung-gyoo 9th dan 1946– United States of America President of Advanced World Martial Arts System; author of several books, King of the World Speed Breaking Champion 1999, 9th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do

9th Degree Black Belt in Kum Do, 9th Degree Black Belt in Ta Kyuk Do, master's degree in physical education, inducted into Martial arts Hall of Fame 2016.

[14]
Kailian, Gregory S. 9th dan 1946– United States of America
  • 9th dan (Kukkiwon #05001960)
  • 1st Class Master Instructor (Kukkiwon #1647001)
  • 1st Class Poom/Dan Promotion Test Examiner (Kukkiwon #1020001)
  • "S" Class World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), International Referee
    (WTF IR #013-0625)
  • Author, Sport Taekwondo Referee Primer
 Sport Taekwondo Referee Primer
Kil, Sang-sup 9th dan Unknown United States of America Korean National Champion between the years of 1965 and 1968, Founding President of the United States Han Mu Kwan Federation, President of the Michigan Tae Kwon Do Association [15]
Kim, Il-kwon 9th dan 1942–2015 United States of America Founder and President of the I. K. Kim Ja Be Ryu Tae Kwon Do Organization located in Cincinnati Ohio & President of the World Martial Arts Federation [16]
Kim, Ki-whang 10th dan 1920–1993 United States of America Promoted to 9th dan by the KTA, Chairman of the US Olympic Taekwondo team 1988, awarded 10th dan while in hospital with cancer in 1993. Inducted into Taekwondo Hall of Fame 2009. See main article
Lee, Bum-i 9th dan 1938–2023 Germany President of the German-Korean culture Federal e.V. (DKK e.V.). Chairman of Taekwondo Instructor Association in Europe. Chairman of the European Taekwondo delegation in Korea. Highest Dan-grade of Europe (1985) and "father of Taekwondo" in Germany. Lives in Hannover. [17][18]
Parlak, Kenan 9th Dan 1960- Germany Kenan Parlak is founder and chairman of Kenan's Taekwondo in Hamburg, Germany. He has had many successes as a Competitor and Coach. He is a highly decorated Poomsae Champion for the German and Turkish National Team. Kenan Parlak successfully passed the 9th DAN exam at Kukkiwon in Seoul on Friday, 13th October 2017. https://www.kenans-taekwondo.com/
Samer Kamal 9th dan 1966– Canada President of the Arab Canadian Sports Association, 1988 Seoul Olympics medalist, 1st Class International referee since 1999, 1st Class Kukkiwon Examiner, the President of Champions Martial Arts Taekwondo in Canada and Jordan www.SamerKamal.info
Lee, Jong-soo

(aka: Chong Lee)

10th dan 1938–2017 Canada Father of taekwondo in Canada. Chong Lee opened the first Canadian taekwondo dojang in Montreal in 1964. Promoted to 10th Dan posthumously in 2021. [19]
Lee, Jun Hyeog 9th dan 1962 United States of America Secretary General of United States Taekwondo Committee

Editor in Chief of Taekwondo Times

Top Ten Martial Arts Master in US

Certified International Referee (Kukkiwon)

Duke University Taekwondo Team Coach

Board Breaking World Record Holder (Broke 5,000 boards in 7 hours).

https://www.usadojo.com/jun-lee/
Lee, Tae-eun 9th dan Unknown Canada Executive Council member of the World Taekwondo Federation; Major player in having WTF Taekwondo recognized as an official Olympic sport; Goodwill Ambassador for the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Canada, from 3 October 2012 – 31 December 2013. Founded his own Taekwondo school in Ottawa. [20][21]
Sell, Edward B 10th dan 1942–2014 United States of America Highest ranked non-Asian Taekwondo black belt in the world. Only non-Korean honored at the Taekwondo Park in Seoul, Korea. Founder of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association. [22][23]

Edward B. Sell

Lee, Moo-yong 10th dan 1938–2016 United States of America 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from President Obama's Council on Physical Fitness. Promoted to 10th Dan posthumously on 21 February 2017. [4][5]
Pan, Sim-woon 10th dan 1950-2020 UK / Malaysia Grandmaster Pan, Sim-woon spent his life travelling around the world instructing people in Kukkiwon Taekwondo. Achieved Kukkiwon 9th Dan, Kukkiwon 1st Class Instructor, Kukkiwon 1st Class Poom/Dan Examiner and Changmookwan 9th Dan. He was posthumously promoted to 10th Dan on 17 January 2020 [24]
Lee, Kwan-sung 9th dan c. 194?–2003 United States of America President of Kentucky Taekwondo Association. [25]
Mayes, Myong-sok Namkung 9th dan c. 1954– United States of America Highest-ranked woman in taekwondo, 1988 US Olympic Coach (Women's) [26][27][28]
Nguyen, Dang Phung 9th dan Unknown Australia President of Chang Moo Kwan Australasia, Order of Australia Medal (OAM) 2009 See main article
Paik, Sang-kee 9th dan 1929–2009 United States of America Early student of B. I. Yoon and first Black Belt of Grand Master Ki Whang Kim; created Sa-Sang Kwan system. Inducted into Taekwondo Hall of Fame 2013 See main article
Park, Dong-keun 9th dan c. 1941– United States of America Father of Thai taekwondo; Head Coach of US Olympic taekwondo team in 1988 and 1992 See main article
Pak, Jang-hee 9th dan United States of America Produced 5 Black belt students who have represented the United States National Tae Kwon Do Team, two of whom won gold medals in the Olympic Games.
Chung, Joong Sung 9th dan Unknown United States of America Also holds a 9th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido and a 6th Degree Black Belt in Judo

World leader in Moo Duk Kwon style of Tae Kwon Do

Assistant to a three-star General in the Marines, Military Police Chief of Seoul, and a bodyguard for General William Westmoreland

Park, Yeon-hwan 9th dan 1952– United States of America Korean National Champion 1971–1975; US Olympic Coach; Pan-American Team Coach; author of several reference books See main article
Park, Young-ghil 9th dan 1941– Italy One of Founders of Italian Taekwondo (three Park Brothers - Sun-jae Park, Young-ghil Park, Chung-un Park); current Honorary President of FITA - Italian Taekwondo Federation; current Technical Director of WTF Poomsae Committee [29][30][31][32]
Kang, Jong-kil 9th dan 1943– United States of America 1960 - Taught the Kim Ja City, Korea, police department

1963 - Kyunggido State welterweight Gold Medal Champion

1967 - National Korea Championship Gold Medal

1967 - Won Korea President's Cup - Korea's Best Team and ROK Team Leader, knocked out two people and was undefeated in competition

1968 - Grand Master Kang receives license to teach Chung Do Kwan branch in Seoul, Korea.

1970 to 1977 - R.O.C. Taiwan's President Grand Master No, Hyo Young, invites Master Kang to teach Marine Corps and Special Military Police Academy. Also trained Hong Kong Movie stars, Sang-kwon Lee Fong, and Deeway in addition to teaching Taripei American School

1977 Arrived in Hawaii to teach U.S. Army Green Beret

1978 - Taught and opened the first W.T.F. Olympic System Brother's TaeKwonDo in Arizona.

1983 - W.T.F. Master Kang coaches the U.S. team in Denmark at the 6th World TKD Championship.

1985 - International referee at the World TKD Collegiate Championships.

1987 - International referee at the Pan Am Games in Indianapolis, Indiana.

1990 - U.S. Olympic Festival Referee

1992 - International Brother's Championship, Mesa High School. Include the Taiwan Olympic Team, Mexico Team, teams from Australia, Chile, and Brother's Taekwondo AZ, LA, AK, OK, and NC.

1999, 13 March - Awarded 9th Degree Black Belt by the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Federation)

[33][34]
Shin, Jang-hwan 9th dan 1951– Austria Father of Austrian taekwondo [35]
Lee, Hyeon-kon 9th dan c. 1947– United States of America Chairman of Board of Education of Kukkiwon; former Vice Chairman of Education of the WTF; author of taekwondo textbook. Uses Western and Eastern Medicine concurrently with great success. Became an M.D. in 2000. Published medical scientist in over 10 journals and one book. Life dedicated to helping the sick return to health. [36][37][38]
Ko, Tai-jeong 9th dan 1948– Denmark Former national coach of Denmark - "Today Ko Tai-Jeong teaches Taekwondo at a Danish højskole (literally: high school) a unique Danish type of boarding school for adults dedicated to lifelong learning. The 9th Dan Grandmaster is also the central figure and role model for Sim Uu, a special interest group under the Danish Taekwondo Federation (and thereby World Taekwondo)" Reference: The Smiling Taekwondo Pioneer.
Won, In Hui 9th dan 1951- United States of America Appointed by Grandmaster Kyo Yoon Lee, founder of HanMooKwan, in 2017 as the President and successor of the World Taekwondo HanMooKwan Federation (1954) leadership. First to attain 10th Dan in Taekwondo HanMooKwan by his founder Grandmaster Kyo Yoon Lee. President of the US Central Taekwondo Association (USCTA) in Oklahoma, President of the Oklahoma State Taekwondo Association (OSTA) through USA Taekwondo (Olympic body for Taekwondo in the USA). https://www.worldhanmookwan.org/

https://www.gmwons.com/

Park, Suk-byung 10th dan 1948– South Korea President and Founder of the American Jungdo Federation, Korea Judo National Champion (1969-1974), Olympic Head Coach – Netherlands, Yong In University Assistant Professor, Black Belt Man of the Year 1983, 1993, 1999, World Championships – 2nd Place, Head Instructor at Park's Martial Arts Academy in Billings, MT USA. 10th Dan in both Taekwondo and Judo
Kim, Kil-nam 9th dan Unknown United States of America Founder of the San Diego Taekwondo Association, Former President of the San Diego Taekwondo Association, International Grandmaster, International Referee, Founder and Owner of Pan-Am Tae Kwon Do Academy - all classes instructed by Grandmaster NAM KIM. founder of the California Tae Kwon Do championship
Robinson, Clint 9th dan Unknown United States of America Co-founder of the United World Taekwondo Association (UWTA).

Since 1975 Grandmaster Robinson has trained thousands of students to the highest levels of expertise in the Korean-based martial art.The co-founder of the UWTA was elected to the United States Grandmasters Society Hall of Fame and the American Taekwondo Association Hall of Fame after teaching thousands of students since opening his dojang in Sacramento, CA. GMR has been honored by the US Congress, the Joint Houses of the CA Legislature and was honored with the NBA 'Differencemaker' Award for anti-bullying efforts in the community. Clint Robinson served as Senior Vice President of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA). GM Robinson also leads the TKD classes at American River College as adjunct professor and created the Sports Business Management course for the Los Rios College District. The owner of RH Robinson Enterprises, operating up to 20 locations at times, has been recognized for his entrepreneurial business creation. Teaching classes daily the former champion competitor also attended Tuskegee University, Sacramento City College and California State University. Grandmaster Clint Robinson is also a USAF veteran. Elected a US member of the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Advisory Committee, GMR was an honored guest speaker at the 2014 Grand Opening of the World TKD Park in Muju and regularly attends World Advisory events in Seoul, and signed the Kukkiwon World Peace Pledge as US rep in 2018. GMR hosts regional competitive events throughout the year including the UWTA Black Belt Test in Reno, NV, the Sacramento International Championships and offers community service events on bullying, health and fitness in TKD training for the public. GMR was Vice Chair of the Pan Am Hanmadang in 2017 and hosted the CA Hanmadang at Folsom Lake College in 2018/19, the first virtual CA UWTA Cup and Hanmadang in 2020.

See also Facebook @GMClintRobinson, TKD Grandmaster Clint Robinson on YouTube, gmrobinson2018 on IG or robinsonstkd.com
Cho, Woon-sup 9th dan 1952 Norway President of Traditional Taekwondo Union (TTU)
Cho, Byung-kon 9th dan 1947– United States of America Student of Grand Master Pong-ki Kim and Grand Master Kop-soo Kwon
  • Kukkiwon #05000166 - Issued: 2001-09-08
  • Founder: Wisconsin Governors Cup
  • Founder: Virginia Governors Cup
  • Author: Korean Culture, Tourism and Language
  • Author: Star Taekwon-Do Master's Course
  • Author: Martial Arts Dynamic Marketing and Management Seminar
  • Author: International Discipline in the Martial Arts Seminar
  • Author: A Health Revolution
  • Secretary General for Korean-American Foundation (KAF)
  • Past President of the Virginia State Tae Kwon Do Association
  • Former Secretary General for US Taekwondo Martial Arts Commission
  • Former Flexibility Consultant for Green Bay Packers
 [39][40]

TaeKwonDo Times Magazine Issue March 1991

Gonzalo Camelo 9th dan 1961 Colombia
  • Founder of the "Academia Internacional de Taekwondo"
 [41]
Kim, Yang-woong 9th dan January 1943– Salzburg (Austria) Former trainer of the South Korean National Team, former Trainer of the Austrian National Team, Kukkiwon Award for his Life Contributions to Tae Kwon Do, Technical Competition Director for the Austrian Tak Kwon Do Association (ÖSVT); Hosted the Austrian Tae Kwon Do Championship in 2015
Sell, Brenda Jean (Brenda Sell) 9th dan January 1955– Lakeland, Florida (USA)
  • Kukkiwon Certificate number: 05001899
  • first female to be awarded the World Taekwondo Federation certification for international level referee credentials
  • Highest ranked non-Asian Kukkiwon female in the world
  • President of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association
 See Wikipedia page for all sources
Wyllie, Gregory 9th dan c. 1955 – Sydney, New South Wales (Australia) Introduced Taekwondo into the New South Wales school system, initiated the All Schools tournament which has been a great success. Runs the Wyllie Strike Taekwondo academy, which includes his sons Steve and Chris. He is the highest ranked orator in Australia and became a ninth dan in April 2016.[42]
Richard Chun 9th dan November 2017 United States of America
Jeong, Chan 9th dan Unknown St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada Jeong earned his 9th dan in October 2018. Accomplishments found here: https://www.jeongsfamilytkd.com/our-family
Zareei, Jafar 9th dan Unknown The Netherlands GM Zareei passed his 9th dan exam at the World Taekwondo Academy KUKKIWON in Seoul on 13 August 2021.
Nazmdeh, Mojtaba 9th dan Unknown The Islamic Republic of Iran Takavaran Taekwondo Olympic Ref & Coach

KukKiWon Advisory Committee Member IOC - OS Technical Expert World TKD Hanmadang Champ 2017

Soo-woong Lee 9th dan Unknown United States of America One of the first Korean masters to settle in the US, he is one of the most respected Taekwondo grandmasters of all time. He is the father of popular actor and martial artist Will Yun Lee, who, like his father, is also a Taekwondo black belt.[43] More information found here: https://martialartsusapetaluma.com/about-us-1
Shin, Dong-Ki 9th dan 1945 United States of America An original member of the Tiger Division that went to Vietnam in 1965 to teach the U.S. Army, Grandmaster Shin started Hwa Rang Kwan in 1965 and still teaches in Belmont, south of San Francisco. He also founded the Northern California Taekwondo Association (NCTA) and Hwa Rang Muye. He also holds a 9th dan in Hapkido. More details can be found at https://www.hwarang.tech/instructors
Gerard van den Berg 9th dan 1957 Leiden Netherlands Grandmaster Gerard van den Berg Was on June 15, 2022 the first born Dutchman, Taekwondoka who has take an exam for the 9th Dan in the Kukkiwon Seoul Korea.

http://www.taekwondoleiden.nl

Lim, Seung Kil 9th dan Unknown - United States of America
  • Taekwondo 9th Dan
  • Hapkido 7th Dan
  • Royal Taekwondo Grandmaster, Saudi Arabia, 1988-2006
  • Royal Hapkido Grandmaster, Saudi Arabia, 1999-2006
  • Grandmaster, Korean Embassy School, Saudi Arabia, 1988-2006
  • Demonstrator Master, Special Forces, Saudi Arabia, 1988-2006
  • International Referee 2nd Degree, Taekwondo, 2005
  • Commendation by Minister of National Defense, Saudi Arabia, 2003
  • Commendation by Minister of Culture Sports, Korea, 1998
 US Taekwondo Training Center

https://www.masterlim.com/

Manav, Ridvan 9th dan 1963 - Sydney, Australia
  • Inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in Zagreb, Croatia 2015
  • Technical Advisor Representing Australia
 https://www.australianmartialarts.com.au/

International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)

This list includes persons who:

  1. are ranked 9th dan by the ITF (and thus officially recognised as 'Grand Masters' within that system);[44]
  2. are notable as individuals; and
  3. are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.
Name Rank Life Residence Prominence References
Hall, Gwen F. 9th dan 1943- Corpus Christi, TX. United States President of Hall TaeKwon-Do Association, co-founder of American Taekwon-Do Coalition and Director of Kido Kwan Martial Art International. GM Hall, was the 1st ITF 4th and 5th Dan female international instructor with the ITF. She was the first to teach Taekwon-Do to Panama as she was a US Naval officer stationed there. She started martial arts in 1963 and got her Taekwon-Do 1st Degree Black Belt in 1968. She still actively teaches every class in her small Do-jang three times a week. http://www.kidokwan.org/
Newton, Mack 9th dan 1946- Phoenix, AZ United States Co-founder of American Taekwon-Do Coalition and director of Kido Kwan Martial Art International. In 1981, Newton was named head coach of the USA (ITF) Taekwon-Do Team and held that position until 1984. He is credited with creating the competition format currently being used in International Taekwon-Do competition. Newton was appointed the conditioning coach for the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team in 1985. He held that position for nine years before resigning in 1993 in order to spend more time in his studio with his growing list of clients. He also worked as the conditioning coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1993. Newton has developed many new training methods and has been credited with saving and extending the careers of several Major League Baseball and National Football League players. A partial list of Newton's clients includes former NFL 2-way star Roy Green, 5-time Pro-Bowl star Jay Novacek, NFL Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams, linebacker Seth Joyner, MLB star Dave Stewart, MLB Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, catcher Sandy Alomar Jr., NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, just to mention a few. He also rehabbed Bo Jackson in his return to MLB after a hip replacement ended his NFL career. https://www.macknewton.com/
Harry, Isaac 9th dan ? United Kingdom President of the ITUK association https://tk-d.co.uk/
Wheatley, Robert 9th dan ? United States President of USITF and Scientific Research Committee Chairman under President Choi Jung Hwa http://www.usitf.com/
Galarraga, Nestor 9th dan ? Argentina President of Federacion ITF de Argentina and Chairman of Tournaments & Umpires Committee under President Choi Jung Hwa http://www.fitfa.com.ar/
Nicholls, Trevor 9th dan ? United Kingdom President of United Kingdom ITF, Secretary General, and Vice President under President Choi Jung Hwa www.tkd.co.uk
Weiss, Earl 9th dan 1955 United States Chicago One of the last people to test for master's rank under Choi Hong Hi. Weiss is a prolific author on the topic of Taekwon-Do and is a frequent contributor to publications such as Totally TaeKwonDo magazine. http://ustf-itf.com/masters-directory/
Bos, Willem Jacob 9th dan 1952– Italy President of the All European Taekwon-Do Federation 2004–2006; Technical Director for the Italian Taekwon-Do Federation 1992– [45][46]
Campbell, Derek 9th dan 1959– Scotland
Choi, Chang-keun 9th dan c. 1940– Canada Leading campaign to reunite the ITF; one of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Choi, Hong-hi 9th dan 1918–2002 Canada Played major role in establishing Taekwon-Do; inaugural president of the KTA; founded the ITF; co-led the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Choi, Jung-hwa 9th dan 1951- Canada President of one of the three ITF organisations; son of H. H. Choi; involvement in Korean political controversy. Choi Jung-hwa was born on Cheju Island, Korea on 22 May 1951 and has studied Taekwon-Do since the age of 7, not only under his father, but also under many high ranking and pioneering Taekwon-Do Masters during their visits and stays with General Choi. He served many years on the ITF Executive Board and, later on, Choi Jung-hwa would assist General Choi on many of his International Seminars throughout the world, and later would be appointed by the ITF to conduct these International courses on General Choi's behalf. Grandmaster Choi held the post as Secretary General of the ITF for several years until elected as General Choi's successor to the presidency by the ITF members in 2001 at the ITF Congress. Choi Jung-hwa was promoted to 9th-degree Black Belt in 2004 and to the rank of Grandmaster, is the only son of the founder of Taekwon-Do General Choi Hong-hi. [47][48][49][50]
Hwang, Kwang-sung 9th dan K-9-1 on 12 August 1997 Born 1942, Taegu, Korea United States of America Manchester, Connecticut GM Hwang was one of the first three instructors that General Choi, Hong-hi promoted to the rank of 9th Dan. The list consisted of FGM Rhee, Ki Ha UK-9-1, GM Hwang Kwang-sung K-9-1, and GM Charles "Chuck" Sereff A-9-1 who was also the first non-Asian to receive this honor.

GM Hwang began studying at the age of 11 and received his 1st Degree in Tang Soo Do in 1957, his 2nd Degree in 1961, his 3rd Degree from the I.T.F. K-3-40 18 September 1968, staying loyal to General Choi Hong-hi through the years. He was at General Choi's side where he transcribed General Choi's last words. GM Hwang retired a captain in the ROK Army where he had instructed The Korean Tiger Division, The Korean Army, The U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, Marine, and the Vietnamese Army receiving many Commendations. GM Hwang simultaneously served as special assistant to General Choi, official spokesman of the ITF, chairman of the ITF promotion and merger committees, and Secretary General of the ITF. GM Hwang also served as the head of the KoreAmerica Taekwon-Do Union as requested by General Choi Hong-hi. GM Hwang is now head of the International Taekwon-Do Federation Unified. His mission is to carry on his previous duties as requested by General Choi to work to unify all who practice Taekwon-Do.

[51][52][53]
Hwang, Ho-yong 9th dan 1956– Czechia The first who proved the possibility of accomplishing 3 and more regular kicks in one jump. Senior vice president of the ITF. Chairman of the Technical & Education Committee. Head instructor of the Czech Taekwon-do Federation ITF. [7]
Dalton, Don 9th dan ? Ireland President of the International TaeKwon-Do Federation Union. Promoted to 9th dan on 20 September 2019 by Pioneer Grandmaster Kong Young-il. [54][55]
Howard, Robert 9th dan c. 1938– Ireland President of the Republic of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association; helped establish taekwondo in Ireland; first European man promoted to 9th dan [56][57][58][59]
Kong, Young-il 9th dan 1943– United States of America One of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; one of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Cariati, Joe 9th dan unknown Canada
  • 9th dan
  • Head instructor of Woodbridge Taekwondo Group
  • President of International Chang-Hon Taekwondo Federation (ICTF)
 [60][61]
Massar, Frank 9th dan 1958– United Kingdom Founded Massar Taekwondo Association See main article
Nam, Tae Hi 9th dan 1929–2013 United States of America Father of Vietnamese taekwondo; pivotal performance in martial arts demonstration 1954; co-led the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Creedon, Norman 9th dan 1954- Ireland Promoted by Pioneer Grandmaster Yoo-sun Lee on 11 August 2017. Grandmaster Creedon began his training in the early 1970s under Grandmaster Rhee Ki-ha, who introduced Taekwon-Do to the UK and Ireland. Through diligent study he quickly promoted to Black Belt, testing under the Founder Gen. Choi Hong-hi, Master Rhee Ki-ha, and Master Kim Jong-chan. As a competitor, Grandmaster Creedon won numerous national titles in sparring, Tul (patterns) and breaking competition, and has also competed in European and World Championships. In 1978 he was a member of the Irish team which participated in the 2nd I.T.F. World Championships, hosted by Grandmaster Jack Hwang in Oklahoma City, U.S.A. That same year he graduated from the I.T.F. Instructors class in Scotland. He was also on the Irish team that competed in the I.T.F. European Championships in London, England in 1980 and was again chosen as a team member to compete in the 3rd world championships in Argentina in 1981 but declined due to illness in his family.

From 1983 to 1986, Master Creedon hosted the "University College Cork Open Martial Arts Championships" – the largest open style tournament of its kind to be held in Ireland at the time. Subsequently, he captained the Irish team that competed in Hee-il Cho's World Championships in Los Angeles in 1985. Grandmaster Creedon is also known for being a superb Instructor. His seminars being highly sought after, he has taught classes throughout his native country, Ireland, as well as Europe and the United States. He is also a prolific writer, and his articles on the various aspects of the Korean Arts, have featured in numerous martial art magazines including Taekwon-Do Times and United States Taekwondo Journal. Throughout his career, he has coached numerous students to national and international titles in both I.T.F. and W.T and has received citations from the International and World Taekwondo Federations. Master Creedon headed the Korean Martial Arts Program at University College Cork, for many years, where he taught both Taekwon-Do and Hapkido. In 2006 he received a "Special Achievement Award from the University College Cork in recognition of his contributions and dedication to Physical Education at the University for over a quarter of a century. For the last 47 years, Grandmaster Creedon has made the growth and betterment of Taekwon-Do a constant priority throughout his life and continues to make changes and improvements in all his students' lives.

[62]
Nardizzi, Donato 9th dan 1960– United Kingdom President of ITF England, Chairman of the ITF Children Development Committee, co-author of the study book and instructor manual of the Taekwondo Kids Development Program, 2012 Olympic Torchbearer. See main article
Dang, Huy Duc 9th dan 1944– United States of America Director of Martial Arts Training Center, South Vietnam National Police Force Headquarters; one of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi [63][64][65]
Nguyen, Van Binh 9th dan 1936– United States of America Chairman of ITF Masters Promotion Committee; President of ITF-USA; pioneer of taekwondo in Vietnam [66][67][68]
Park, Jong-soo 9th dan 1941–2021 Canada One of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Rhee, Ki-ha 9th dan 1938– United Kingdom Father of British and Irish taekwondo; one of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; one of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Sanders, Peter 9th dan 1957- The Netherlands First person to be promoted to 9th "dan" by International TaeKwon-Do Federation HQ Korea. Promoted in 2019. Current vice-president of ITF HQ Korea and Chairperson of Council of Masters [citation needed]
Sereff, Charles 9th dan 1933–2022 United States of America One of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; founded the United States Taekwon-Do Federation [69][70][71]
Svenden, John Arild 9th dan 1967- Norway Promoted to 9th Dan by Pioneer Grandmaster Kong Young Il, in Ireland, on 20 September 2019. Grandmaster Svendsen is known for having won more than 60 World Cup gold in 11 different organizations' World Cups and World Championships as of 1 March 2019; ITF, WASCO, PUMA, WTA, WTKA / WTA, UNIFIED WORLD, UFMC, TAGB, United ITF, Re-Unified, WACTO, WFMC and 20+ Euro Gold in several Taekwondo organizations (ITF, TAGB, UITF, TKDI). Svendsen is the most winning taekwondo performer in the ITF style world-wide. He announced his retirement from competition on 2 October 2019. [72][54]
Trajtenberg, Pablo 9th dan c. 1955–2022 Argentina President of one of the three ITF organisations after T. Q. Tran's death in 2010 [73][74][75][76]
Tran, Trieu Quan 9th dan 1952–2010 Canada President of one of the three ITF organisations from 2003 to 2010 See main article
Kirschbaum, Len G. 9th dan 1955– United States of America President of IOTF and Founder of the International Academy of TKD. Delegate for H.H. Choi for special certification seminars for ITF. [citation needed]
O'Toole, Brendan 9th dan Ireland President of the Irish National Taekwon-do Association (INTA). [77]
Douglas, Val 9th dan Ireland
Gary Tong 9th Dan Malaysia Founder of ITF TAEKWONDO WORLD ALLIANCE Promoted to 9th Dan by Pioneer SGM Kim Bok Man on 5 January 2021
Harkess, Peter 9th Dan UK President of United Kingdom Taekwondo Council
Phelan

Anthony N

9th Dan Ireland Vice President of the Republic of Ireland TaeKwon-Do Association. Instructor of GM Francis Barrett. Promoted to 9th dan by ITF congress Pyongyang, September 2016.[78] [79]
Barrett

Francis

9th Dan Ireland Republic of Ireland TaeKwon-Do Association. Student of GM Anthony Phelan. Promoted at ITF Congress Pyongyang, 17 September 2017.[78] [79]
Ko, Ri-kon 9th Dan ? - United States of America Grandmaster Ko is an incarnation of martial arts excellence.  His life demonstrate a never-ending pursuit of perfection:
  • Korea Yudo Martial Arts College (former Yongin University) 1968
  • Korean National Martial Arts Champion 1965-1968
  • Korean Boxing State Champion. 1967
  • Korean Army Tae Kwon Do Champion.  1969
  • Korea Army Tae Kwon Do instructor, Vietnam War (White Horse Division) 1969
  • Demonstrator for the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.  1972
  • Captain of Yudo Martial Arts University Demonstration Team.  1973
  • Instructor of U.S. Army General Staff Collebe, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 1976 - 1979
  • International Referee, 3rd Annual World Tae Kwon Do Championship, Chicago, IL 1977
  • Founder of Ko's Black Belt Academy, Independence, MO 1979
  • Master Instructor of the Year Award, Martial Arts Times magazine. 1980
  • Instructor of KC Royals Baseball players (Larry Gura, Willie Wilson, U.L. Washington, and Willie Akins 1983-1985
  • U.S. National Team Coach of Pan American Games. 1985
  • U.S. National Tea Ambassador for Martial Arts Summit, Seoul Korea 1987
  • Founder of Ko's Black Belt Academy, Overland Park, Kansas 1990
  • US Tae Kwon Do National Team Manager 1994
  • Kansas USAT 2011, President
 [83]
Tam, Fook-chee 9th dan Australia Vice President of All Australia ITF Taekwon-Do Association. Coach of Australian Taekwon-Do Team. First World Overall Veteran ITF Taekwon-Do World Championship 2004. Winning 3 gold medals for pattern, sparring and power breaking and a silver in team sparring. Founder of Australia ITF Taekwon-Do Association.

Other taekwondo systems

This list includes persons who:

  1. have been widely recognized masters of taekwondo for at least 30 years;
  2. are notable as individuals; and
  3. are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.
Name Rank Life Residence Prominence References
Robbins, Gerard E 9th dan 1954– United States of America Founded Taekwondo Hall of Fame; first person of African descent to receive 9th dan from Korea See main article
Cho, Hee-il 9th dan 1940- United States of America Founded Action International Martial Arts Association; wrote several taekwondo books See main article
Lee, Haeng-ung 10th dan 20 July 1936 – 5 October 2000 United States of America Founded American Taekwondo Association; first grandmaster of the ATA; author of The Way of Traditional Taekwondo [80]
Cho, Sihak Henry 9th dan 1934–2012 United States of America Pioneer of taekwondo in the United States of America; wrote several books; contributed karate article in World Book Encyclopedia (1976) See main article
Kim, Pyung-soo 10th dan 1939– United States of America One of only two students that tested and promoted to 5th Dan at the first Korean Tae Soo Do Association exam in 1962. First correspondent from South Korea to Black Belt Magazine(1964–68). Founder of The International Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts Association. Author of three Taekwondo Books (Ohara Publications): Palgue 1-2-3 of Taekwondo Hyung, Palgue 4-5-6 of Taekwondo Hyung, Palgue 7-8 of Taekwondo Hyung, and one Taekwondo book published in Russia. See main article
Choi, Kwang-jo 9th dan 1942– United States of America Founded Choi Kwang-Do; one of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Han, Cha-kyo 9th dan 1934–1996 United States of America One of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Kim, Hong-sik 9th dan 1940-2020 United States of America GM Kim was an instructor with the Korean National Police, and trained as a member of the Moo Duk Kwan under Sung Park. He immigrated to the US in 1971, founded Kim's United Tae Kwon-Karate Centers and joined the International Taekwondo Federation, and studied under Gen. Choi. In 1973 Gen. Choi attended the first annual Kim's Tae Kwon Do Championship Tournament in Portland, Oregon. GM Kim joined the US Army and later the Oregon Army National Guard, earning the rank of Colonel before retiring. GM Kim later broke away from the ITF at the urging of CK Kim, whom he viewed as one of his mentors, because of the growing influence of North Korea within the ITF. Grandmaster HS Kim was known for his flying kicks, and retained his impressive jumping abilities well beyond middle age. GM Kim personally oversaw the training and promotion of thousands of students during his long career as a TKD instructor. Health complications forced his retirement from actively running the federation he founded, and he named two men – Grand Masters Dwight Douglas Tesdal and David Knife as his titular replacements within Kim's United Tae Kwon-Karate, promoting both men from 8th Dan to 9th Dan before his retirement. Kim's Tae Kwon Do still hosts annual tournaments in the Portland, Oregon, Boise, Idaho, and Renton, Washington areas. Kim's United Tae Kwon-Karate Centers has over 50 member schools spread throughout the Pacific Northwest, and has had schools in Hawaii, Texas, and California. Besides being a long time practitioner of Tae Kwon Do, GM Kim also studied Sumo and Judo, holding a black belt in Judo.
Hwang, Kwang-sung 9th dan c. 1942– United States of America One of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi [71][81]
Hwang, Jang-lee 9th dan 1944– Korea Hwang took Taekwondo lessons from age 14 and achieved his 7th dan (rank) black belt. In 1965 at age 21, Hwang became a martial arts instructor for the Korean and South Vietnamese Armies, specializing in taekwondo. In January 2003, Hwang received his 9th dan black belt in taekwondo. In addition, he currently holds a 9th dan rank with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation. Hwang still actively teaches martial arts. He is currently an instructor with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation and serves as Technical Advisor. He recently has completed a tour of the US and Canada in which he, along with other Korean Grandmasters, promoted the study and practice of traditional martial arts. See main article
Kim, Bok man 11th founder Dan as Founder Of World Chun Kuhn Taekwon-Do Federation.

10th Dan in Traditional Taekwon-Do

c. 1934–2021 USA Kim Bok-man (Korean: 김복만; Hanja: 金福萬,[1] (December 3, 1934 – August 14, 2021), Father of South East Asia Taekwon-Do was an early pioneer of taekwondo in the 1950s and 1960s in South East Asia, particularly Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak and Hong Kong. He started martial arts training in the Korean art of taekyun in 1941 at the age of 7. While he was a Sergeant Major in the South Korean army, he was called to Malaysia by General Choi Hong-hi Korea's ambassador, Founder of Taekwon-Do, to teach taekwondo in Malaysia and subsequently to develop taekwondo, particularly some of the forms created by General Choi, and another martial art called Chun Kuhn taekwondo. See main article

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Bok_Man

Park, Jung-tae 9th dan c. 1943–2002 Canada One of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Rhee, Chong-chul 8th dan c. 1935– Australia Considered as the Father of Australian taekwondo; founded Rhee Taekwon-Do; one of the KTA's 12 original masters See main article
Rhee, Jhoon-goo 10th dan 1932–2018 United States of America Father of American taekwondo [citation needed]
Shipp, Brad 9th dan USA President of World Chun Kuhn Taekwon-Do Federation (WCTF). Disciple of Pioneer Supreme Master Kim Bok Man. {https://www.worldchunkuhntkd.com/about-us/about-world-chun-kuhn-taekwondo-officers/}
Cheah, Wee-hin (Steven) 9th dan Australia Founded C.A.T.A Cheah Advanced Taekwon-Do Australia. Promoted to 9th Dan by Grand Master Kong-young IL. He is Considered as one of the fathers of Australian Taekwon-Do, learned TaeKwon-Do in Malaysia under Gen. Choi and C.K Choi. [citation needed]
Oliver, David 9th dan United Kingdom Tae Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain (T.A.G.B.) Chairman [82]
Jay "Flying Tiger" Blanton "10th "dan" 1959– United States Founder of Mang Ho Ryu Tae Kwon Do System in 1993. Tae Kwon Do System was named by the late Grandmaster Kang Rhee, Memphis, Tennessee United States. Grandmaster Jay "Flying Tiger" Blanton has written 2- books on Prevailing Against being bullied,1- book on his Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts system history and his training, and an Anti-Bullying Program for schools, colleges, etc. He has been in many martial arts magazines, newspapers, TV news and talk shows. Has won many awards for his community work with bullying and working with Veterans with P.T.S.D. Grandmaster Kang Rhee was the Instructor of Elvis Presley and Bill "Super Foot" Wallace and many others.[citation needed] and passed away in August 2019 .[citation needed]
Choi, Yong-sung 9th Dan United States Grandmaster Choi, the Founder of Sun Do Sul, has been training for the majority of his life. He is the founder and creator of Sun Do Sul.
 2019 USKF Black Belt Hall of Fame Inductee - https://uskido.org/usfkbbhof2019/
Medina, Rafael 9th dan Chang Moo Kwan 1955- United States/Puerto Rico April 10, 2017 - 2022 was appointed as the first president of Puerto Rico Taekwondo Chang Moo Kwan. April 10, 2017 -2019 was appointed as the first president of the U.S.A. Armed Forces Chang Moo Kwan. Under his leadership on August 10, 2019, the first Chang Moo Kwan test was at Intensive Martial Art, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. The first testers were Ivan Alonso, Edwin Ramos, William Sanchez, Jorge Pardo, Victor Solivan, Johnny Martinez, John L. Martinez, Ashely Serrano, Pedro Cruz, Rafael E. Lopez, William Vargas Sr., Mikael Cruz, Luis Sojo, Miguel Roman, and William D. Vargas. This was achieved thanks to the recommendations of Grandmaster Bobby Clayton and GM Rafael Medina.

Medina is an International Instructor certified by Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo Chang Moo Kwan. 2019 was declared by the president GM Bongseok Kim of the world military taekwondo committee the First in U.S. Armed Forces to participate as an Athlete, Coach, and Referee in the world military taekwondo championship (CISM). 2018 WT International Referee. 1996 USATKD Certified National Referee and Coach. 2017 Induced by the Revista de Artes Marciales's Puerto Rico Hall of Fame 2016 Pioneer Award by U.S. Taekwondo Champions (GM James F. Stagen and GM Ron Berry). 2015-2019 President of the U.S. Military Taekwondo Foundation. 2015-2016 and 2019 First to organize the U.S. Armed Forces Taekwondo Reunion 2009 Induced to Taekwondo Hall of Fame and member. 2008–present: Member of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and referee. 2000 - 2020 present: conduct combat and defense tactics training for young people in Hinesville, Georgia. This program is directed by the Liberty County Recreation Department (LCRD). 2000 Retired U.S. Army (22 years of service). 1999-2000 World Class Athletes Program (WCAP) Coach. 1996-2000 Coach the Army and the Armed Forces. 1994–present: President of Sport Taekwondo Center Associates. 1984-1995 National and International player for U.S. Armed Forces. 1975-1977 Open the first karate school in Humacao Puerto Rico. 1976-1977 for the first time introduced karate in Jaguar-San Lorenzo Puerto Rico. 1978 won first place in the Young Brothers team battle Tae Kwon-Do Associates. There were four teams of five fighters. Our team had only four fighters for which he fought 16 times, while the other fighters fought only eight times. During his time of competition (Puerto Rico) adopted the name of El flaco explosivo (the skinny explosive). 1984-1995 National and International player for U.S. Armed Forces. 1987 2nd World CISM Military TKD Bantam medalist, (first Puerto Rican).

See main article
Minyard, Eddie 9th Dan 1951 - United States Grandmaster Minyard has been training in Martial Arts for 50 years. He is a founding principal of SunDoSul. GM Minyard's Rank is recognized by World SunDoSul Federation; US Kido Federation; International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation; International Taekwondo Federation - HQ; and International Chun Khun Do Federation (8th Dan awarded personally by SGM Kim, Bok Man). He is President of the New Hampshire Chapter of Chun Kuhn Do Federation.

GM Minyard was inducted into the USKIDO Black Belt Hall of Fame, in 2020, as Grand Master of the Year. He is also included in Who's Who in American Martial Arts. In 2022, GM Minyard was inducted into the Official Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame, recognizing his Lifetime Achievement in the art.

[83]
Ko, Ri-kon 9th Dan 1948 - United States of America Former Korean Four-time National Martial Arts Champion, Korean Army Tae Kwon Do Champion and Instructor, Master Instructor of the Year. Current KS USAT President. Has been instructing Tae Kwon Do for over 50 years [83]
Dunn, Robert 9th Dan United States of America Grandmaster Dunn has been a student of the martial arts for over 50 years under Senior Grandmaster Kong, Young-il. He is the founder of International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation and Secretary General of Young Brother's International. He is a technical advisor for the TaeKwon-Do Hall of Fame and holds Board Advisory positions with the United States Kido Federation, and the International TaeKwon-Do Federation - HQ (USA). Complete Bio: http://www.juntong-taekwondo.com/index.php/the-jtf/grandmaster-robert-dunn
Helaney, Jeffrey 9th Dan United States of America Grandmaster Helaney has been training in martial arts for over 50 years. He is the founder of the United States Kido Federation and holds board advisory positions with the International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation, the International TaeKwon-Do Federation HQ (USA), and the World TaeSool Association. He has appeared in and/or wrote for various print, electronic, and video media platforms promoting the TaeKwon-Do and the martial arts. Complete Bio:https://uskido.org/united-states-kido-federation/home/uskf-black-belts/grandmaster-helaney-bio/
Spillmann, Konrad 9th Dan 1963- United States Grandmaster Spillmann has been training in martial arts for over 54 years. He has trained under many top Grandmasters like TaeKwonDo Grandmaster Young Kun Kim, TaeKwonDo Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim, HapKiDo Grandmaster Kwang Sik Myung and in 2023 he received his 9th Dan from Grandmaster Suk Jung Kim, the founder of TaeKwonDo International in and a former ITF Demo Team captain. Grandmaster Spillmann also holds an ITF 8th Dan, AAU 7th Dan, USATKD 7th Dan, Kukkiwon 6th Dan, a 7th Dan in HapKiDo, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Rocian Gracie, Jr and other high level black belts in several other martial art styles. Over the past 45 years of learning and teaching, Grandmaster Spillmann has taught thousands and has produced many top black belts, instructors, competitors and school owners and has operated many schools in the United States and overseas. He has written several books and was VP of several martial arts organizations over the years. He has also earned many awards, commendations and won many competitions. He also holds many concrete breaking records raising thousands of dollars for charities. His organization currently has branch schools in California, Texas and Tennessee. Grandmaster Spillmann’s family currently operates a large martial arts school in Gallatin Tennessee.

https://www.tkdinternational.org/schools.html

https://www.phoenixgrouptkd.org

https://globalmartialartsusa.com

Youstra, Gregg Dr. 9th Dan United States of America Dr. Youstra (retired)is a pioneer of Traditional TaeKwon-Do in the Great Lakes (Chicago Area). He was a student of and one of the first American's to be promoted by Gen. Choi, Hong-hi to the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt. He was promoted to 9th Dan by the United States Kido Federation in 2017. More Info:

https://uskido.org/united-states-kido-federation/home/uskf-black-belts/

Vega, Oralndo 9th dan International Taekwon-Do Federation 1952- United States/Puerto Rico GM Orlando Vega, pursued higher education from the Catholic University of Ponce, Puerto Rico majoring in Science and Mathematics and a minor in Physical Education and Spanish History. Upon graduation, he began teaching physical education to junior and high school students. With time, he became exceptional as an instructor and changed his efforts in teaching physical education to mentally handicapped and physically impaired men and women.

He has been involved in martial arts for over forty-five years. He began learning Kempo Karate with Sensei Felix Vega from New York. He studied under Sensei Vega for two years. In 1971 he began in Tae Kwon-Do under Master Danny Ortiz at the YMCA in Ponce, Puerto Rico. At the same time, he began in Judo under Dr. Ricardo Paranos. He began practicing both martial arts at the same time and achieved his black belt in 1976. He was the president of the Catholic University Judo Club and earned a gold medal in 1974 during the inter-college games (LAI) in the 139-pound division. 1977 he started practicing with the International Taekwon-Do Federation under the Young Brothers and his president GM Young-il Kong and the president in the Island, Master Benny Rivera. 1979 - 1984 was acting as the vice-president for the Young Brothers I.T.F. in Puerto Rico. He led Puerto Rico's Taekwon-Do team from 1974 – 1986 in national, international and world championships. He represented the Taekwon-Do team eighteen times in international events and won first place twelve times. From there, he won eight times as a Grand Champion in the heavy weight division amazingly weighing only 140 pounds. He was also a winner in breaking techniques and patterns or forms. He represents Puerto Rico in Venezuela, United States, Canada, Scotland, Virgin Islands, Domican Republic, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. 1984 was the Puerto Rico team coach in the world Championship in Scotland. The Puerto Rico team won third place in the world. 1983 received from his city mayor, an award of "The Best Athlete in Taekwon-Do" 1986 join the United States Navy. While he on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). Over three hundred U.S. Navy and Marines participated in his program. He created the Teddy Roosevelt Taekwon-Do team.

1991 served in the Desert Storm War for the liberation of Kuwait. Grandmaster Vega holds a 9th Dan with the International Taekwon-do Federation, 6th Dan in O.S.C. Ho Sin Sool (Street Self Defense), 5th Dan in Korean Hapkido, 5th Dan in World Taekwon-Do Federation, 4th Dan in O.S.C. Mu Ki-Do (Korean weapons) and a Black Belt in Judo. President of Oriental Sports Center Association. Records Taekwon-do Martial Arts Instructor in Ponce, Puerto Rico- 1976-1987 Taekwon-do and Self Defense Master Instructor in the U.S. Navy -1988-1991 Taekwon-do Martial Arts Master Instructor Norfolk, Virginia- 1991-2000 Taekwon-do and Self Defense Master Instructor Elizabeth City State University, NC-2006-2013 Taekwon-do and Self Defense GM Instructor Elizabeth City, NC 2005-2021 Awards

  • 1976 Best competitor of the year presented by P.R. Karate Institute Ponce, PR
  • 1981 Best Athlete of Taekwon-do presented by the City Mayor of Ponce, PR
  • 1982 Best competitor of the year presented by Young Brothers Bayamón, PR
  • 2007 Instructor of the year presented by Panam TKD Council
  • 2009 Instructor of the year presented by Panam TKD Council
  • 2010 President of the United States TKD Council (U.S.A. –I.T.F. NGB)
  • 2013 Hall of Fame for the World Greatest Martial Arts Master
  • 2015 Pioneer of the Martial Arts on 70's award in Puerto Rico
  • 2015 President of the International Taekwon-do Federation UNION in America
  • 2015 Chairman of Promotion of the International Taekwon-do Federation UNION
  • 2016 vice-president of the International Taekwon-do Federation UNION
  • 2017 Worldwide Taekwon-do Hall of Fame official induction.
  • 2018 President & Founder of the International Taekwon-do Federation the Americas
  • 2019 Who's is Who in The Legends of Martial Arts Hall of Fame

Competition:

  • 1974 International Karate Championship Guaynabo, PR (3rd Place Open Division)
  • 1975 Ponce Open Karate Championship Ponce, PR (1st Place H/Weight)
  • 1975 S. Henry Cho Karate Championship New York, NY (3rd Place)
  • 1976 S. Henry Cho Karate Championship New York, NY (1st Place)
  • 1977 International Young Brothers Championship Bayamón, PR (2nd Place L/Weight)
  • 1978 Caribbean Karate Championship Saint Croix, VI (1st Place H/Weight)
  • 1979 1st International Henry Cho TKD Championship San German, PR (1st Place H/W)
  • 1980 General Choi Cup, Suk-jung Kim TKD New York, NY (1st Place)
  • 1981 2nd International Full Contact Championship, Venezuela (1st Place H/Weight)
  • 1981 1st International Richard Chung Championship, Ponce, PR (1st Place H/Weight)
  • 1981 2nd International Open championship, Buffalo NY, (1st Place H/Weight)
  • 1982 Intercontinental Cup Quebec Canada, (3rd Place M/Weight)
  • 1985 International TKD Championship Guatemala (3rd Place H/Weight)
  • 1986 Navy Taekwon-do Games (1st Place M/Weight)
 See main article
Radicioni, Louis 9th Dan United States of America Grandmaster Radicioni is a lifelong student of Grandmaster Robert Dunn and vice-president of the International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation. He is a multiple Hall of Fame inductee and frequent seminar instructor. He has traveled all over the world teaching and training students in Traditional TaeKwon-Do. More info:

http://www.juntong-taekwondo.com/index.php/the-jtf/administration

Gibson, Darin 9th Dan 1966- Canada Promoted to 9th Dan by Taekwondo Pioneer and Grand Master Chang-Keun Choi July 9, 2022 after physical testing (not bestowed). President of UTTC - United Traditional Tae Kwon-Do Canada. Involved in Taekwondo for 40 years. Actively instructs traditional taekwondo to students of all ranks.
Marcus, Martin 9th Dan 1956- United States/Israel Holds 9th Dan by Changmookwan under GM Joong Young Kim

also 9th Dan with World Taekwondo Chungdokwan under GM Hae Man Park also 9th Dan with World Jidokwan also 9th Dan with Traditional Changmookwan under GM Jon Weidenman also 9th Dan with USA Taekwondo (USAT) also 8th Dan with Kukkiwon also 8th Dan with World Tangsoodo General Federation also 4th Dan with the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) holds 1st Class Dan/Poom and Master Instructor with Kukkiwon as well as Hanmadan holds 1st Class IR Kyrugi with the WTF holds ITF Umpire Certification

See also

References

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