Words of course have meanings, and root words are important. We can’t know a word’s meaning unless we know where it came from! This is especially true about words used in martial arts! So today’s word is “Taekwon-Do, Tae Kwon Do, Taekwondo.”
First, let’s look at how we spell it in English. Above are the three most common ways we see Taekwon-Do spelled. We generally use the “orthodox” way of spelling it with the hyphen between Kwon and Do. We use this way of spelling for several reasons, the first being this is the preferred way the founder of Taekwon-Do Choi, Hong-hi wanted it. He wanted the Art (Taekwon) and the Way (Do) to have their place, to be distinguished between the two and yet connected. When Taekwon-Do was first being taught to the soldiers of the Republic of Korea 29th Infantry Division when they saluted they would shout “Tae Kwon” as their custom & courtesy of the day, this was a custom they learned from the US Army while they were in Korea during the Korean Way 1950-53. Many Taekwon-Do schools today give the same courtesy when they salute aka bow in class and demonstrations etc.
In English, it doesn’t matter how you spell the martial art of Taekwon-Do, as long as you truly understand that the martial art is “Taekwon” and the philosophical/way is the “Do.” Now let’s dive even deeper into the meaning and name of Taekwon-Do!
In Korean more appropriately in Hangul the Korean written language, Taekwon-Do does not have the hyphen or the space or even capitalization as it does in English and other Latin-based written systems. In Hangul, it is just simply written as 태권도. The first set of characters resembles the capital letters E and H in English and this is of course ‘Tae’ 태. In Korean it is made of two hangul ㅌand is the hard “T” sound t’, so it is a consonant. The second character is the is the vowel “AE” ㅐ. So like in English where it is three letters, in Korean it also is three letters as there is a single consonant character and a double vowel character. The next set of Hangul is comprised of three characters, that are combined to form the word “Kwon.” Those characters are separately ㄱ= k , ㅝ= wo, ㄴ = n. And of course, the last word DO is comprised of two Hangul of ㄷ= d and ㅗ = o. Now, Hangul is a simple written language that uses 24 basic letters: 14 consonant letters and 10 vowel letters. Since Spoken Korean is much like many other languages it has native words, but also is made of foreign words, the majority of them being of Chinese origin before the creation of the Hangul script they used Hanja 漢字 which used Chinese characters.
So in Hanja (Chinese Charaters) Taekwon-Do is written 跆拳道. As you can see in Hanja, Taekwon-Do is much more complex and is made of many characters/sub-characters. The first character comprises 12 strokes 跆 and can be broken down into two sets of characters 足 and 台. The first radical is 足 means foot, leg, to stamp, walk, or tread with foot. The pictograph originated from the Bone Script that looked like a foot then by 221 BC the pictograph changed to called the small seal script and of course today it looks like 足. The second radical used for “Tae” is 台, and means to stand or counter. So when combined with the first character it means to kick, stomp, or trample with the feet.
拳 The second character is comprised of two main characters. This is pronounced Kwon in Korean, Quan in Chinese, and Kem in Japanese. The character is made up of two radicals, the top one 龹 represents two hands holding something when you view it in the older bone script and is also pronounced as “Quan/Kwon.” The bottom radical 手 is the Hanja for “hand” and “te” as in kara TE in Japanese and “Soo” in Korean as in tang SOO do. You also see this in the Japanese/Chinese martial art of Kempo/Kenpo 拳法 which means “fist method/law.”
道 Do, which is “Tao” in Chinese is another compound charter whose original meaning means to “explain, talk about,” and today means “path, road, way” which is the “philosophical” aspect of Taekwon! In Buddhism and Taoism, it is “doctrine, teaching” which too fits the use of “Do” for us as well. In Hangul it is made of two characters, one stacked on top of the other, the character for “D” is the “ㄷ” and then the “o” is ㅗ when written out it is 도.
So, the martial art we teach/practice is “Taekwon” 태권/跆拳, and when we wish to say the “art of, or way” of “kicking, stamping smashing with foot, fist” then of course we use “Taekwon-Do/Tae Kwon Do, Taekwondo.” When we greet each other in the Dojang we would use “Taekwon” as the greeting, when we bow for demonstrations, or sometimes in general practice, we would salute with the courtesy of “Taekwon.”
Please consider making in-person tournaments a success. The Kido Kwan and all affiliate schools are encouraged to participate even if you are just a spectator!
On the occasion of the upcoming 55th anniversary of the ITF, the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) has authorized the Czech Taekwon‑Do Federation to organize an online International Technical Seminar.
The seminar was conducted personally by the Korean Grand Master Hwang Ho Yong (9th Dan), with Czech Masters Martin Zámečník (7th Dan) and Ondřej Vrábel (7th Dan) as his assistants and translators.
The two-day seminar took place from 6th to 7th February 2021 on the online platform Zoom, with a backup YouTube stream available to all participants.
The seminar was attended by 89 participants from all around the world. Besides the hosting country, the seminar was attended predominantly by students, instructors, masters, and grandmasters from the UK, Spain, Malaysia, Ireland, and Canada.
We were very happy to have further participants from the USA, Australia, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Jamaica, Norway, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, and Switzerland.
We were also honored to welcome Grand Master Wayne Brown of the United Kingdom and Grand Master Tam Fook Chee of Australia.
Exceptionally, the first session of the International Technical Seminar on Saturday morning was attended by more than 600 Czech students and instructors as spectators of the nationwide online technical seminar.
Altogether, 9 hours of taekwondo instruction were prepared for the participants of the seminar, in which Grand Master Hwang Ho Yong explained much about taekwondo theory. All 24 patterns were demonstrated and their techniques were explained, along with the system of sparring.
Watch a short video from the seminar:
We believe that all participants of the International Technical Seminar have received a lot of relevant information and a confirmation that their technique is correct, together with the extraordinary experience of a worldwide online broadcast.
Currently, the Czech Taekwon‑Do Federation, together with Grand Master Hwang Ho Yong, is already preparing another international event in a similar format, an online International Instructor Course, which will take place on 20th – 21st March 2021. Detailed information will be available soon. We are glad that even now we already receive interest from all over the world.
We are looking forward to meeting online again in a month, on the eve of the 55th anniversary of the founding of the ITF. We believe that in August we will see each other in person at the 2021 World Taekwon‑Do Championships in China.
Soon, we will be adding more updates, more historical information and the like. We have not updated very much the past year. But, our next survey will be “What martial art” is it that you practice? If you like, you can comment to this thread but, soon a poll will be up!
Grandmaster Lee Dong-sup has been elected as the new President of the Kukkiwon – the World Taekwondo headquarters.
The South Korean claimed an emphatic victory over Lim Choon-kil, the former vice-president of the Kukkiwon, to secure the top job at a by-election.
Lee clinched 55 of the 75 votes to comfortably see off Lim who polled 19 following an online voting system that was held due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The result sees the 64-year-old replace Choi Young-ryul, who had been President since March 2020.
Lee, who heads South Korea’s National Assembly Taekwondo Federation, claimed he was focused on working with World Taekwondo and the International Olympic Committee to help poomsae become an Olympic sport.
“I will solidify Kukkiwon pursuing harmony, consideration, and respect through its reform and normalization, and also I will establish an Ad-hoc committee of ’Save-Dojang’ for those dojangs ina difficult situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lee in a report by World Taekwondo United News.
Lee, a ninth-dan holder, started his new role on January 29 and is set to remain in office until October 11 next year.
The Kukkiwon, based in the South Korean capital Seoul, is the official taekwondo governing organization set up by the country’s Government.
World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won, left, and International Taekwondo Federation President Ri Yong-son sign the agreement for the integration of taekwondo, in Pyongyang, Friday. Courtesy of World Taekwondo
By Jung Min-ho
PYONGYANG, North Korea ― Two international taekwondo governing bodies will form a joint committee by the end of the year to integrate the sport.
World Taekwondo (WT), under the leadership of South Korean Choue Chung-won, and the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), led by North Korean Ri Yong-son, agreed on Friday to set up a joint body next month to narrow their differences in governing the sport.
“This is a big day for everyone who loves taekwondo,” Choue said. “Despite our differences, both of us have the same goal, and today we took a meaningful first step toward that goal.”
Details of the integration have not been specified. The committee will decide what kind of changes should be made and how to do them.
In a significant agreement, WT and the ITF will also work together for collaborative overseas events.
“The International Olympics Committee (IOC) decided to add taekwondo to one of its main sports in 1994,” Choue said. “Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the achievement. It will be great to demonstrate our sport to other countries together. I’m sure the IOC will welcome it.”
Ri said he is also glad to sign a “historic agreement” between the two organizations.
“By signing the agreement, we opened doors for a bright future for one taekwondo,” he said. “We will make sure that we execute what we have agreed to make tangible changes.”
WT and the ITF will also cooperate to list taekwondo under UNESCO.
“Taekwondo is (ours) Korea’s, but not our own anymore,” Choue said. “There will be more meetings and talks. Together, we will keep taekwondo as truly a global sport.”
The ITF was established in Seoul in 1966 by former South Korean army major general Choi Hong-hi, who later moved to Canada as a political exile. In the early 1980s, the ITF started to develop close relations with North Korea as it spread taekwondo to the world.
World taekwondo leaders later felt the necessity to found another international body for the sport and set up WT in 1973. Since then, it has grown into the official international governing body recognized by the IOC with 209 national member associations.
For a long time, WT and the ITF refused to recognize each other, maintaining that they were the only international governing body for the sport. But in recent years, their relations have improved greatly.
Choue and Ri shake hands during the signing ceremony in Pyongyang, Friday.
[FULL TEXT]
AGREEMENT
Reflecting the unanimous desire of all Taekwon-Doists all over the world for one single Taekwon-Do, and
Aspiring after the uniform development of Taekwon-Do,
The World Taekwondo (hereinafter referred to as WT) and the International Taekwon-Do Federation (hereinafterSkullcandy referred to as ITF) agree as follows in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea:
1. WT and ITF shall establish a joint body committed to the integration of Taekwon-Do and decide on the committee’s name, characteristics and mandate through consultation between the two Federations within December 2018.
2. WT and ITF shall conduct various activities to promote the integration of Taekwon-Do.
2.1 WT and ITF shall make joint efforts to realize joint demonstrations in China, Russia, Switzerland, the United States, and Japan on different occasions, including the 32nd Olympic Games. To this end, WT and ITF shall authorize the joint body to consult on the installation of a joint training center for the gradual unification of the joint demonstration.
2.2 WT and ITF shall make efforts to co-host, on a trial basis, an international tournament guided by the tournament rules of both Federations respectively.
2.3 WT and ITF shall make sure that Dan certificates, Umpire certificates, and other certificates are cross-recognized through relevant procedures so that the Taekwon-Doists under both Federations can participate in each other’s recognized and promoted tournaments as well as World and Continental Championships.
2.4 WT and ITF shall actively cooperate so that the south and north of Korea register Taekwon-Do in UNESCO jointly.
3. WT and ITF, for the sustainable implementation of the above provisions, shall meet more than once a month at a place agreed upon by both parties to consult on the relevant issues and take necessary measures for them, and shall refrain from any act that goes against each other.
The WT President and the ITF President shall meet each other frequently to consult on the establishment of the joint body and other practical issues concerning the prosperity and development of Taekwon-Do and take necessary measures for them.
GENEVA, Switzerland (April 12, 2019) – World Taekwondo (WT) and the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) today showcased the power of taekwondo to promote peace during a joint-demonstration at the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva.
The joint-demonstration was the fourth demonstration held over the last week to mark the 25th anniversary of taekwondo being included on the Olympic Programme and to celebrate the growing collaboration between the two federations.
The UN office in Geneva (UNOG), a symbol of unity, collaboration and international peace, provided the perfect setting for the joint-demonstration, which sent out a strong message about taekwondo’s power to teach values that transcend sport.
UN Geneva Director General Michael Moller, ambassadors, diplomatic corps, board members and staff from international organizations, including the UN, watched with awe as 28 delegates from WT and 23 delegates from ITF, showcased the skill, excitement and drama of taekwondo.
The athletes performed gravity-defying kicks, spectacular board-breaking, self-defense and graceful Poomsae skills, astonishing each member of the audience.
This is the second time WT has visited the UN offices in Geneva, after an initial visit in 2016 to discuss humanitarian and peace building initiatives. The WT Demonstration Team had the honor of performing a demonstration during that visit.
Prior to the joint performance, Director General Michael Moller said:
“The performance we are now going to see is a testament to the power of sport in bringing peace and reconciliation, friendship and harmony. We are proactively looking for ways to strengthen our cooperation with international sport federations. We are doing this because we see important synergies between the work of sport federations and international organizations. Sport is an important enabler to reach out to young people worldwide and to disseminate the values enshrined in the UN Charter
WT President Chungwon Choue said:
“It is an honor to be back at the UN office here in Geneva. WT and the UN share many of the same values. It was at the UN headquarters in New York in 2015 that we first announced the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF). Since then, we have supported a number of humanitarian and peace building initiatives all around the world.
“Today was a symbolic moment for our sport as it was the first time that WT and ITF have performed together at the UN. This sent out a strong message of collaboration and peace. We have different rules, use different equipment and some of the techniques used by our athletes have diverged. But as today’s event has proven, we are moving towards unity. I would like to thank UN Geneva Director General Michael Moller, who has hosted us here today.”
WT and the UN have enjoyed a close relationship for many years, particularly in providing opportunities for refugees. Establishing the THF to empower refugees is a critical part of these efforts. At the THF’s Humanitarian Taekwondo Center, they not only teach young people taekwondo but also how to live as global citizens. WT has encouraged other International Federations to join them in providing opportunities for young people to practice sport in refugee camps around the world.
ITF President Ri Yong Son added:
“ITF have conducted joint demonstrations with WT several times in the past with the purpose to unify taekwondo. Taekwondo is the legacy and pride of mankind as it promotes people’s health and aspires for peace and justice. I hope this historic event will be the opportunity to unify taekwondo.”
This event ensures the continued development of taekwondo, reinforcing the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games legacy of peace.
Prior to this event at UNOG, a WT and ITF joint demonstrations took place at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) under the theme of “Taekwondo for Peace.”
Zhao Houlin, ITU Secretary General said:
“The ancient taekwondo teaches respect, commitment, responsibility and perseverance. These values lie at the heart of the United Nations Charter. Like sport, information and communication technology is an important tool for development and for peace. Both promote understanding and cooperation, and we need this now more than ever.”
The joint WT-ITF demonstrations of the past week began on 5 April in Vienna, Austria where the ITF headquarters is located. The next demonstration took place on 11 April at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne in cooperation with IOC President Thomas Bach before today’s demonstrations capped off the celebrations.
Our website was recently the recipient of a viscous malware attack that according to SiteLock originated in China. We take a lot of pride in making sure we check and scan all photos and documents prior to being shared, but these attacks are much more viscous because they embed in members profiles and text. So, please always if you have information you store in the cloud, always have a “hard copy” with you locally!
1.a person who strongly identifies with their own nation and vigorously supports its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.”he was a staunch nationalist during his 22 years in power”
adjective
1.relating to nationalists or nationalism.”a nationalist movement”
Was the founder of Taekwondo and others a nationalist? Was Choi, Hong-hi 최홍희 / 崔泓熙 a former Major General of the Republic of Korea Army (South Korea) and a native born Korean born in what is now the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (Korea) and becoming an Ambassador to Malaysia (1962)under then President Park, Chung-hee 박정희 /朴正熙. MORE TO FOLLOW…
World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won, left, and International Taekwondo Federation President Ri Yong-son sign the agreement for the integration of taekwondo, in Pyongyang, Friday. Courtesy of World Taekwondo
By Jung Min-ho
PYONGYANG, North Korea ― Two international taekwondo governing bodies will form a joint committee by the end of the year in an effort to integrate the sport.
World Taekwondo (WT), under the leadership of South Korean Choue Chung-won, and the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), led by North Korean Ri Yong-son, agreed on Friday to set up a joint body next month to narrow their differences in governing the sport.
“This is a big day for everyone who loves taekwondo,” Choue said. “Despite our differences, both of us have the same goal, and today we took a meaningful first step toward that goal.”
Details of the integration have not been specified. The committee will decide what kind of changes should be made and how to do them.
In a significant agreement, WT and the ITF will also work together for collaborative overseas events.
“The International Olympics Committee (IOC) decided to add taekwondo to one of its main sports in 1994,” Choue said. “Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the achievement. It will be great to demonstrate our sport to other countries together. I’m sure the IOC will welcome it.”
Ri said he is also glad to sign a “historic agreement” between the two organizations.
“By signing the agreement, we opened doors for a bright future for one taekwondo,” he said. “We will make sure that we execute what we have agreed to make tangible changes.”
WT and the ITF will also cooperate to list taekwondo under UNESCO.
“Taekwondo is (ours) Korea’s, but not our own anymore,” Choue said. “There will be more meetings and talks. Together, we will keep taekwondo as truly a global sport.”
The ITF was established in Seoul in 1966 by former South Korean army major general Choi Hong-hi, who later moved to Canada as a political exile. In the early 1980s, the ITF started to develop close relations with North Korea as it spread taekwondo to the world.
World taekwondo leaders later felt the necessity to found another international body for the sport and set up WT in 1973. Since then, it has grown into the official international governing body recognized by the IOC with 209 national member associations.
For a long time, WT and the ITF refused to recognize each other, maintaining that they were the only international governing body for the sport. But in recent years, their relations have improved greatly.
Choue and Ri shake hands during the signing ceremony in Pyongyang, Friday.
[FULL TEXT]
AGREEMENT
Reflecting the unanimous desire of all Taekwon-Doists all over the world for one single Taekwon-Do, and
Aspiring after the uniform development of Taekwon-Do,
The World Taekwondo (herein after referred to as WT) and the International Taekwon-Do Federation (herein after referred to as ITF) agree as follows in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea:
1. WT and ITF shall establish a joint body committed to the integration of Taekwon-Do and decide on the committee’s name, characteristics and mandate through consultation between the two Federations within December 2018.
2. WT and ITF shall conduct various activities to promote the integration of Taekwon-Do.
2.1 WT and ITF shall make joint efforts to realize joint demonstration in China, Russia, Switzerland, the United States and Japan on different occasions, including the 32nd Olympic Games. To this end, WT and ITF shall authorize the joint body to consult on the installation of a joint training center for gradual unification of the joint demonstration.
2.2 WT and ITF shall make efforts to co-host, on a trial basis, an international tournament guided by the tournament rules of both Federations respectively.
2.3 WT and ITF shall make sure that Dan certificates, Umpire certificates and other certificates are cross-recognized through relevant procedures so that the Taekwon-Doists under both Federations can participate in each other’s recognized and promoted tournaments as well as World and Continental Championships.
2.4 WT and ITF shall actively cooperate with each other so that the south and north of Korea register Taekwon-Do in UNESCO jointly.
3. WT and ITF, for the sustainable implementation of the above provisions, shall meet more than once a month at a place agreed upon by both parties to consult on the relevant issues and take necessary measures for them, and shall refrain from any act that goes against each other.
The WT President and the ITF President shall meet each other frequently to consult on the establishment of the joint body and other practical issues concerning the prosperity and development of Taekwon-Do and take necessary measures for them.
Some years ago, back in the 1980s and early 1990s, I had the opportunity to attend several camps and workshops of Anshu Stephen K. Hayes and his personal student Robert Bussey. If you were involved in the martial arts in the 70s and 80s then, there were very few magazines that didn’t have Anshu Hayes on or in them. He has produced at least a dozen or more books, been on Japanese and asian TV and movies and was the stunt double for Richard Chamberlain in the tv mini series SHOGUN. In the early 90s sometime after I entered service, I would say may 1991 or 1992 I attended one of his workshops and he gave his “10 Attitudes for Productive Participation.” I had a booklet with them I thought but haven’t been able to locate, but did come across my not book where I would “journal” my teachings while training in the martial arts, especially guest instructors or martial arts that were not my base. Here is what I wrote, which trying to decipher my notorious handwriting from the day and my own version of shorthand.
Be involved at your 100% level (not 110% not 50%) but 100%. Don’t waste your time “checking it out”; just jump right in!
Personalize every experience. How does this fit me? Don’t make this training something outside of yourself.
Enjoyment encourages exploration of limits. Don’t forget that a spirit of fun permits freedom in everything.
Be responsible for your own health! Only you know your own body. Don’t do anything that seems too risky for you!
Stephen K. Hayes with ninja-to.
Introduce yourself. Expand your personal network. Don’t forget that making friends is a part of cultivation power.
Work at your own level. Don’t compare your experience with other people,times or arts.
Experience leads to speed and power naturally. Don’t worry about mastering technique to early.
Growth involves risk.Feel free to try out new things! Don’t worry about “image”. You have nothing to prove here or anywhere.
Sincerity is a trait of the true warrior. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need.
Maintain a respectful attitude around your dojo and teacher. Be mindful of their significance in your life. Don’t indulge in scattered boisterous behavior that distracts you from your advancement.
Stephen Hayes providing personal protection for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
I think this is a great example from a fellow martial artist, a spiritual leader and teacher that doesn’t just apply to his art of Ninjutsu or now what he teaches called To-Shin-Do, but for all martial arts, and even outside that realm. So, I would like to thank Anshu Hayes for his insights and hope to continue to learn from him, his examples rather personally or indirectly!
The Korea Hapkido Federation in the USA Branch HQ will be hosting a seminar in October 19-21, 2018 featuring Grandmaster Michael Rhoades. GM Rhoades is the US Director and working hard to unite all professional Hapkidoins who are or want to be members of the KHF. Please like and share to help spread the word.
Hap Ki 합기!
This is a great reminder of our origins, and who better to remind us then the very great commentator and patriot Paul Harvey! Everyone older than about 35 know him well, we always enjoyed his short stories and wisdom. For those who don’t know him, youtube has much of his radio cast, and I urge you to listen!
Just a very friendly reminder. Memorial Day isn’t about wishing those of us that served and by the grace of G-d came out alive! It’s those men and women who gave all you should be thinking and thanking! They gave all to allow the rest of us to do the things that make us Americans!
Like Freedom is Speech, to Assemble Peacefully, the Freedom that our Government won’t pick one religion for us all (it’s not about keeping religion out of public/government places)! The Freedom to defend our selves, home, property and keep our government in check with our right to keep and bear arms!
The right at the time of war that the citizens don’t foot the bill to “hosting” soldiers , the right to feel secure in that the government cannot search or seize your property without due process. The right to a Grande Jury, self Incrimination and due process along with double jeopardy! The right to a speedy trial by our peers and witnesses and consul! The right to jury trials for civil suits, the right to be free from excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment. The rights that are stated be actual right until ratified or justified and the rights are reserved to the states and people not the federal government!
So again don’t thank those of us that are among the living, but remember those that have left us while defending not just our Bill of Rights as above,but all our rights! It’s not about your race, your gender or anything other then your duty as an American to support and defending the Constitution of the United States and for what it stands for!
I’m sure that we will all agree that days, months and years go by much too fast as we try to learn and grow and work toward our goals. As the Kido Kwan site has been in the process of updating, I was asked to review the material connected to me. I found that my profile was lacking due to my poor maintenance of it. Yep, too many things happening.
In updating my profile, I decided to put out this shameless plug for my effort and accomplishments. It is now almost a year (Memorial weekend 2017) since I tested for my 7th Dan in Song Moo Kwan Taekwondo. It was held as part of the initial World Song Moo Kwan United training summit featuring senior masters from several distinguished Song Moo Kwan Grand Masters. The weekend also included the annual Battle of Columbus Open tournament.
It took 10 years of training to learn enough about the lineage that my Taekwondo had come from but, once I did, I’ve kept working to support and promote that lineage. The more I learned about my Song Moo Kwan lineage and the contributions that Supreme Grand Master (SGM) Byung Jick Ro made to the development of Taekwondo became more important. These things put into perspective the value of continuing tradition and teaching the principles. The opportunity to continue learning and develop greater understanding has been provided by Supreme Grand Master Joon Pyo Choi, who was promoted to 10th Dan by SGM Ro in 2013 and asked to continue the Song Moo Kwan legacy.
But…back to about me! The test panel for my 7th Dan Senior Master test was comprised of the following: 10th Dan Supreme Grand Master Joon Pyo Choi (OMAC Columbus & World Song Moo Kwan United leader), direct student of SGM Byung Jick Ro 9th Dan Senior Grand Master Young Pyo Choi (OMAC Indiana) 9th Dan Senior Grand Master Ron Coleman, a student of SMK Grand Master Il Joo Kim 8th Dan Grand Master James S. Cahn (Cleveland Taekwondo Martial Arts) 8th Dan Grand Master Roy Bushman (RBushman Taekwondo), a student of SMK Grand Master Il Kwon Kim 8th Dan Grand Master Kwang Ho Kim (OMAC Columbus)
From left to right – 8th Dan Grand Master James S. Cahn (Cleveland Taekwondo Martial Arts), 8th Dan Grand Master Roy Bushman, 10th Dan Supreme Grand Master Joon Pyo Choi (Columbus OMAC & World Song Moo Kwan United leader), 9th Dan Grand Master Young Pyo Choi (OMAC Indiana); 8th Dan Grand Master Kwang Ho Kim (OMAC Columbus), 9th Dan Grand Master Ron Coleman.
I thank all of the teachers that I’ve had along the way. Their patience and insights have helped me develop personally and create the success that I’ve had. I also thank family (those of blood and those of choice) who have put up with my drive toward these goals. THANK YOU ALL!
Rhee, Jhoon-goo AKA Jhoon Rhee, passed away early this morning 30 April, 2018. He was the first Korean to teach Korean Karate later known as Taekwon-Do first in Texas and then later in Virginia/DC area. We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, students and friends.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) A court in Tunis has banned four Israeli athletes from competing at the taekwondo world junior championships after a group of activists opposed to normalization with Israel filed an urgent lawsuit.
The competition is being held in the Tunisian seaside resort of Hammamet from April 6-13.
A judicial official said the court rendered its decision earlier this week after the Tunisian group known as the National Commission for Supporting Arab Resistance and Opposing Normalization and Zionism sued the president of the Tunisian taekwondo federation, Ahmed Gaaloul.
Prosecutor’s spokesman Sofiane Selliti told The Associated Press that the court decision stipulates that Gaaboul can’t invite, or host, the four Israeli athletes – Dana Azran, Nicol Adamskt, Abijhag Semberg and Tom Pashcousky – whose names were on the list of contestants.
Gaaloul told the AP in a phone interview that the athletes will not be invited because they did not complete the paperwork to enter the tournament.
The plaintiffs argued in their lawsuit, which was published by local media, that the athletes’ presence would clash with constitutional provisions and agreements signed by the Tunisian government. They argue that Tunisia has committed ”to denouncing and refusing Zionist occupation and colonization, as well as boycotting and not dealing with the Zionist entity (…) in any way.”
Gaaloul said the activist group ”misled the judges and used subterfuges” to exploit public opinion.
There was no immediate reaction from the Israeli taekwondo federation.
The world lost one of the most senior if not most senior Kenpo Grandmasters in the world in the early hours of 30 Oct. 2017. He was one of Ed Parkers earliest black belts and arguably the “keeper”of Original Kenpo, the Kenpo before American Kenpo! As one of his students I spoke with him often in the 90’s and his wife Pat about things he posted in the previous months newsletters he put out and which to this day I still refer to about ideas etc.
He wrote many articles and allowed me to reprint or copy any of them because he was a true Grandmaster and a sharer of knowledge. While Kenpo was not my original art, he never once demeaned or had issues with my art, he only cared that when I learned from him that I learned it correctly and always encouraged me to not just seek knowledge from him, but would discuss my experience when I went to some other Kenpo seminar and would always explain with great detail the differences between what he originally learned and what was being taught as “American Kenpo.”
I spoke with his wife Pat recently to express my condolences and as always she was steadfast, gracious and true to the Kenpo spirit and I know GM Tracy is so happy and proud of his strength. The Tracy Kenpo System will go one with his son at the helm and ever one of his students, grand students and great grand students and everyone who got to spend time with him. There will be a memorial held in California in February 2018 and we will post the info as we get it.
He is survived by his wife Pat of 33 years, his daughter Tina and son Mark and I know as every child will, they miss him greatly as they move forward.
In June, Choue and ITF counterpart Ri Yong-son, of North Korea, discussed the prospective performance of the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team at the ITF World Championships, which took place from September 15 to 21.
The meeting was held in South Korea’s capital Seoul and took place during the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, a county in the North Jeolla Province of South Korea.
In what was described as a “show of taekwondo unity and sportive goodwill”, a North Korean demonstration team from the ITF performed alongside the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships.
But World Taekwondo never received a return invitation as had been expected.
“Yes it was very disappointing because the last time they were in [South] Korea, they promised they were going to invite us to attend the ITF World Championships, but they didn’t realise that,” Choue told insidethegames here on the sidelines of the 2017 World Para-Taekwondo Championships and World Taekwondo Grand Prix.
On the last day of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships, Choue confirmed that a verbal agreement had been reached with the ITF for the two organisations’ demonstration teams to perform during next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
He said a written agreement for the Pyeongyeong 2018 performance was due to be signed during the ITF World Championships.
Any future agreement would be subject to approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Pyeongchang 2018 organisers.
“I think that will really enhance the easing of tensions between, not only the North and South, but the North East Asian region.”
Choue intends to discuss the matter with IOC President Thomas Bach during the 2017 IF Forum, which is scheduled to take place in Olympic capital Lausanne from November 8 to 10.
“The IOC and World Taekwondo will then send a letter to the ITF,” he said.
Choue is hopeful an agreement can be reached by the end of this year with Pyeongchang 2018 due to be held early next year, from February 9 to 25.
World Taekwondo is currently the only taekwondo body recognised by the IOC.
But the ITF is the older body having been founded in 1966 by Choi Hong Hi in Seoul.
Following his exile from South Korea by the Park Chung-hee administration, Choi moved to Canada and established the ITF headquarters in Toronto, before moving them to Vienna in 1985.
North Korea’s sole IOC member Chang Ung was elected President of the ITF after Choi’s death in 2002, but was replaced by Ri Yong Son in 2015.
In August 2014, Choue and Chang signed a Protocol of Accord during the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.
One year later, a 22-member ITF demonstration team, including 13 North Koreans, performed at the Opening Ceremony of the World Taekwondo Championships in Russian city Chelyabinsk.
SEOUL, Oct. 3 (Yonhap) — Kim Un-yong, former vice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), passed away Tuesday. He was 86 years old.
Sources close to the deceased said Kim, feeling under the weather, was admitted to Severance Hospital on Monday and was pronounced dead at 2:21 a.m. Tuesday.
During his sports administration career, Kim was one of the most powerful figures in the IOC, which he joined in 1986. He played an instrumental role in helping Seoul win the right to host the 1988 Summer Olympics.
He also served as the founding president of the World Taekwondo Federation — presently World Taekwondo — and of the South Korean national Olympic committee. Kim was largely responsible for helping taekwondo become an Olympic medal sport.
Kim was also credited with helping set up the joint march by the South Korean and North Korean athletes at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Summer Games.
In 2001, Kim waged an unsuccessful campaign for the IOC presidency, losing to Jacques Rogge, 59-23.
In this file photo taken Nov. 4, 2016, Kim Un-yong, former vice president of the International Olympic Committee, speaks at the launching ceremony of the Kim Un Yong Sport Committee in Seoul. Kim passed away at age 86 on Oct. 3, 2017. (Yonhap)
The latter part of Kim’s career was marred by a series of corruption allegations and a conviction in his native country.
In 1999, Kim received “the most serious” warning from the IOC in connection with the scandal surrounding the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. An IOC probe concluded that the bidding committee for Salt Lake City had helped subsidize the work of Kim’s son, John, with a local company, and that the senior Kim had used his clout to schedule piano performances for his daughter with the Utah Symphony.
In 2004, Kim was arrested and later convicted on bribery and embezzlement charges in Seoul. The Supreme Court here upheld the ruling from lower courts in early 2005. Kim resigned from the IOC in May 2005 rather than face an expulsion vote by the IOC members.
In June, Choue and ITF counterpart Ri Yong-son of North Korea discussed the prospective performance of the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team at the ITF World Championships, scheduled to take place from September 15 to 21.
The meeting was held in South Korea’s capital Seoul and took place during the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships in Muju.
In what was described as a “show of taekwondo unity and sportive goodwill”, a North Korean demonstration team from the ITF performed alongside the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships.
But Choue, here in the United Arab Emirates’ capital to attend the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly, said World Taekwondo is still waiting for an official invitation to the ITF World Championships with just a week until the event begins.
“To this date, we have not received the official invitation, but we will wait until the last minute, so that this historic visit will serve as an occasion where sport truly can contribute to reconciliation and peace,” Choue told insidethegames.
“My firm belief is that the Olympic sport of taekwondo, like other sports, can truly contribute to the promotion of peace worldwide and especially on the Korean Peninsula.”
On the last day of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships, Choue confirmed that a verbal agreement had been reached with the ITF for the two organisations’ demonstration teams to perform during next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
He said a written agreement for the Pyeongyeong 2018 performance was due to be signed during the ITF World Championships.
It would be subject to approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Pyeongchang 2018 organisers.
World Taekwondo is currently the only taekwondo body recognised by the IOC.
But the ITF is the older body having been founded in 1966 by Choi Hong Hi in Seoul.
Following his exile from South Korea by the Park Chung-hee administration, Choi moved to Canada and established the ITF headquarters in Toronto, before moving them to Vienna in 1985.
North Korea’s sole IOC member Chang Ung was elected President of the ITF after Choi’s death in 2002, but was replaced by Ri in 2015.
In August 2014, Choue and Chang signed a Protocol of Accord during the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.
One year later, a 22-member ITF demonstration team, including 13 North Koreans, performed at the Opening Ceremony of the World Taekwondo Championships in Russian city Chelyabinsk.
Last week, the IOC and Pyeongchang 2018 revealed they have contacted world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, to try to reassure that tensions with North Korea should not stop people attending next year’s Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
There is widespread concern that people are deciding against travelling to South Korea following recent instability.
Tensions increased once again last Tuesday (August 29) following the firing of a ballistic missile from North Korea over Japanese territory.
The North then claimed to have tested a hydrogen bomb.
Gen. Choi, Hong-hi, and GM Gwen F. Hall circa 1980 wearing PilSung flying sidekick pendant. As a side note, it was her Master Eun, Sang-ki that first used the term Pil Sung which was later adopted by Choi, Kwang-jo (lifelong friends) for his organization Kwang Duk Kwan then Choi Kwang Do.
The following interview with Grandmaster Gwen F. Hall, who had graciously agreed to be interviewed, was conducted via personal interview, telephone, and historical documents.
Doug Nowling (DN): Grandmaster Hall, would you share with us about your beginnings in Martial Arts and Taekwon-Do?
Grandmaster Gwen F. Hall (GH): I began martial arts training in 1963 while a student at the University of Kansas at Lawrence Kansas, USA. The style was Japanese, (Korean martial arts were unheard of then), Isshin Ryu Shorin-Kan, and my instructor’s name was Yamamoto, Suichi. “Korean Karate” as it was first called, did not appear until 1967 or 1968 in mainstream American culture. I obtained the rank of 3rd Kyu Brown Belt upon graduation from the University of Kansas in January of 1967 out of (8 levels, not 9 as is standard today). When I graduated and began my job with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago in 1967 is when I encountered Korean Karate (Korean Arts). It was not until about 1971 did the words “Taekwon-Do” come into Chicago, Omaha, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, and Evansville, Indiana (In 1968 the listing for Evansville Taekwon-Do was Korean Karate, and didn’t change to Taekwon-Do until 1973!) areas with the introduction of the International Taekwon-Do Federation®. Since I was unable to find my original martial art, it was then I found KangMoo Kwan under the 4th Dan Eun, Sang-ki. Mr. Eun gave me one month to learn everything to keep an equal rank in his art or start at a lower rank. By the end of the month, I tested and not only kept my current rank but advanced to the rank of 2nd Kup (no longer Kyu since this was Korean, not Japanese). Later I tested for 1st Kup on 10 December 1967 and then 1st Dan on 09 October 1968 issued by Euns Taekwon-Do Institutes and the Korea Taekwondo Association.
(DN): Would you share with us a bit of the history of your Kwan (style) of Taekwon-Do?
(GH): My technique execution, body, and stance movement come from the old Korean martial art of Kang-Moo Kwan. The patterns were Kibon 1-5, PyongAhn 1-5, and Bassi, etc., my instructor was Master Eun, Sang-ki. Later when most of the schools in the Midwestvoted to join the ITF around 1971-1972, we changed to Gen. Choi’s, Chang Hon (ITF) patterns. So my art is Kang Moo Kwan pedagogy – practicing the General’s patterns.
(DN): In your opinion how has Taekwon-Do changed in your years of teaching and learning?
(GH): Over time an overemphasis on the concept, performance, and applicability of sine-wave. It is being exaggerated today. As a result,lt there is a general loss of technique integrity because it affects balance control causing sloppy stances and sloppy techniques.
(DN): Are you still actively teaching? If so, how often?
(GH): Yes, three to four times a week depending on my volunteer activities.
(DN): Would you share with us your views on the Tuls (patterns) of Taekwon-Do and its links to self-defense?
(GH): All of the Chang Hon Tul has moves that are “street applicable.” Many of the Tul also have moves that are for developing athletic skills and artistic displays of what the human body can perform and accomplish. All of this leaves one to be able to defend oneself because the moves are usable, and the artistic athletic skills developed allows the person to defend themselves.
(DN): What are your views on the state of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)® in today’s world?
(GH): There is no ITF today – there are three or more groups around the world all claiming to be the “true ITF.” To me, they all fail because none of them want to step aside to form one ITF organization as it use to be when General Choi was alive.
(DN): As a long-time student of martial arts and Taekwon-Do in general what do you see as the most important part of training?
GM Hall 12/2017
(GH): The most important part of training as I see is the melding of the mental understanding of a technique’s movement as related to the stance in which it is performed to the actual performance. This means realizing how a technique is performed, why it is performed the way it is, and the consequence for or of incorrect performance. To get the most out of any technique and the stance from which it is performed, one must perfect, correct, consistency, and deliverancerepetition – first slowly until the correct, exact muscle movement is developed and instinctiveperformance is acquired in the tissuesand the mind. I always tell my Hak-sang (students) that slow and correct is better than fast and wrong when learning new movements of any kind or perfecting already acquired technique skills.
Deliberate, rapid, instinctive, explosive performance will eventually become second nature after a period of perfect practice. This will occur at a different time for every student. It is a goal not to be sought for its own sake but for knowledge’s sake.
(DN): How has being a woman involved in martial arts been different than what you have seen for the men involved?
GM Hall(r), GM Newton (m) being presented with a Letter of Commendation from U.S. Marine Corp Forces Reserve Company E 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines
(GH): In the beginning (1963) having to prove myself worthy and competent was necessary for rudimentaryacceptance, this was especially true in my training in Okinawanstyle in college. For the first two months, no one spoke to me. But by the end of my college career I was accepted and the most senior student in my club. When I went to Chicago is when I discovered the Korean arts and my new master Eun, Sang-ki, and was fully accepted he trained me no differently than his male students. He treated me the same, we trained together and fully gave mutual respect, it didn’t matter to him that I was a woman. And since then, in the martial art world, it remained that way for me personally, especially with Gen. Choi. But in the civilian world, sometimes people do not believe that my skill as a woman is the same as a man’s until they see my technique! Then my gender no longer matters.
(DN): When did you first meet General Choi, Hong-hi, and how was your relationship with him considering your status as a black belt, a woman, and a U.S. Naval Officer?
(GH): I first met Gen. Choi in 1972 when he and a small group of Koreans came to Rockford Illinois USA to conduct belt testing (color and black) for students and schools to become part of the ITF®. Up until then, the various Korean styles with their forms (patterns, Hyung, Tuls) were being taught. We all had to learn the General’s patterns and be tested to keep our ranks from our Kwans. In my case,e it was for 2nd Degree Black Belt (Dan). As to my relationship, he appreciated my being a career military officer and I never felt that he regarded me in any different way than he would have a man. He seemed to regard my technique, knowledge, and performance without gender. He committed once that if a person had the mental and physical capacity to learn and obtain Taekwon-Do rank that it did not matter what their race, gender, or country of origin. From time to time, we talked on the phone as I was stationed in various places and he was glad to know when I was to be stationed in Country Panama as I would be introducing the ITF to that country. I was a 4th Degree Black Belt at that time.
(DN): Other than Taekwon-Do, what are your other hobbies or interests?
Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
U.S. NAVY/MARINE CORPS Congressional Medal of Honor Citation
(GH): I do not consider Taekwon-Do to be a hobby. It is my “life way” – as to hobbies and interests per se – I play the violin and enjoyed riding my motorcycle all over the USA have put 89,000 miles on my last motorbike. I currently volunteer at the U.S.S. Lexington Museum (CV16) in Corpus Christi Bay (Texas USA). This is the namesake of the ship that my father served (actually CV2) during the Battle of The Coral Sea, for which he received the US Military’s highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor while flying the Douglas SBD Dauntless TORPEDO Dive Bomber.
(DN): What do you think of the World Taekwondo® (formerly World Taekwondo
Federation) and that style of Taekwondo as compared to the ITF® (ChangHon style)?
(GH): I consider the Chang Hon patterns to be more comprehensive and developmental for Taekwon-Do. The history of why the WTF (WT) was formed and the political implications involved colors its history. WTF (WT) is more “sporty” if I can coin the term in their “forms.” I consider the real-world application of Taekwon-Do and its art development through Chang Hon patterns to be more viable.
(DN): Do you think General Choi’s vision of Taekwon-Do changed while he was alive and has it changed since his passing in 2002?
(GH): Taekwon-Do has changed since his passing. The political involvement of introducing “Juche” into the pattern sequence” while he was alive” was sad. I refuse to acknowledge it or even teach it as I have previously discussed in my article “A Glimpse into Taekwon-Do and Geo-Political Intrigue.” I see a degradation in the patterns quality of movement in some schools – even moves inserted that make that pattern almost unrecognizable. A loss of quality control and the original use and reason for the sine wave seems to have been lost in many organizations and schools. It has become so exaggerated that it is not only ridiculous but detrimental to technique performance – unsettling balance and technique execution.
(DN): Why should women study Taekwon-Do?
(GH): For the same reason men do, no difference; ie, self-defense, physical fitness, art attainment, and physical rehabilitation of weak or damaged limbs. Just like men to develop mental, and spiritual well-being.
(DN): Is something missing, in your opinion from Taekwon-Do?
(GH): Yes…the respect for the past in Taekwon-Do history and Korean martial art development and all other martial art development. I see a disappearance of the concept of diligence in perfecting technique, philosophy, and lifestyle in some schools and organizations. The realization of the philosophy of nobility in purpose and character development seems missing anymore in some schools/organizations. Call me old fashioned, but I believe a lot of turmoil in our society today is because honor in one’s objectives and honesty of one’s purpose has been lost. These use to be part of martial art training, in general, years ago (the 60s to early 80s). This related specifically to the introduction of the pattern Juche at the expense of removing Ko-Dang from the pattern sequence. The geopolitical intrigue involved in the event is a subject that has been discussed previously and needs to be discussed further.
(DN): What is the best age in your opinion to start Taekwon-Do and at what age do you feel is most appropriate to test/obtain a black belt and why?
(GH): Early teens are mentally mature enough, after that any age if the person’s health is good enough ever up the to early 60s and beyond. The instructor has to be wise enough to tailor the training to the student’s health, age, and body type – ie, stocky, lean or overweight, underweight, etc. As to testing for a black belt, it must be remembered that a first-degree black belt means a person is now ready to begin learning not that they are an expert or a master. Expertise and master-ship only come after many years of training and personal practice. This element of martial art development seems to be almost lost today in many instances. “Black belt” courses or contracts guaranteeing a black belt after a certain period are frequently seen in some commercial concerns.
In these places, the martial art life way has almost been lost. When I was coming up back in the 1960’s I somehow knew that to be a martial artist meant a lifestyle dedication, not a goal to be obtained like a trophy. Instructors in my opinion need to teach this concept or it will make martial arts like current popular sports. This being understood – black belt testing must be offered when the student is ready not restricted to age per se. I believe that if instructors are going to teach little children, the instructor needs to know that skeleton development in children is fragile and that their bones are not fully developed until the early to mid or late 20s. That takes knowledge of anatomy and physiology. The objective or reason to become a black belt and to grow in that rank progression means to become a “keeper of the art.” To be a “keeper of the art” is to learn it as completely as possible to pass it on to another person.
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