The advent of a new year is always a hopeful anticipation of new beginnings.
For us it is the continuation of hard work to build on the success of 2016.The year seemed to have gone quickly with all the activities: Conferences and Seminars and Black Belt promotions that occurred during the year. It is the effort of so many that you all need to be complimented for your dedication and hard work.
The New structure was officially launched last October was designed to honor the pioneers whose past and current presence inspires us all while keeping an eye on the future through the newly formed Executive Council.
In anticipation to the work that lies ahead I am asking you to consolidate and to work closer together as members of one family do while our office looks at the development of our Kwan.
Let’s hope that the New Year bring us more together and shall look forward to hearing news of your activities and successes.
By KIM, UN-YONG
September 4th is a historical day in which I had Taekwondo adopted as an official Olympic sport in 1994 during the IOC session in Paris, which commemorated the 10th anniversary of IOC.
It just so happens that Hong Seungchon has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Kukkiwon, while OH Hyun-deuk has been appointed as the President of Kukkiwon. The two of them have now embarked on a new journey, promising a new leap forward for Taekwondo. Since they have devoted their whole lives to Taekwondo, I strongly believe that they will devote themselves to the development of Taekwondo.
Kukkiwon is the World Taekwondo Headquarters, which is the root of the country that gave birth to Taekwondo. In order to fulfill the expectations of Taekwondo practitioners, I established Kukkiwon in 1 year in 1972.
Modern Taekwondo began in 1972 with the foundation of Kukkiwon. In the process of making it into a national martial art, many innovations, growths, and stabilizations were accomplished, such as the integration of 30 “Kwans”, unification of the Dan Promotion Test, implementation of instructor training courses, establishment of Dobok (uniform), development of Poomsae, establishment of competition regulations, development of electronic Hogu (protective gear), establishment of a Hanmadang to succeed martial arts spirit, and the opening of Taekwondo Memorial Hall .
Furthermore, striving for globalization after achieving nationalization, Kukkiwon established the 1stWorld Taekwondo Championships and the World Taekwondo Federation in 1973, and joined GAISF, CISM, FISU, Asian Games, Pan Am Games, and the AfricanGames . In the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Taekwondo was chosen as a demonstration sport, and Kukkiwon was used as the official practice hall. Finally, in the IOC session in Paris in 1994, with a unanimous voting of 85 to 0, it was adopted as official Olympic sport, which occurred with Kukkiwon as the mother organization. Without this reformation and growth, the honor of Taekwondo being adopted as Olympic sport would not have been achieved even today.
In this process, by my own decision, I divided Taekwondo organization into 3 organizations, separating the roles for each organization. Kukkiwon was the root of Taekwondo, Korea Taekwondo Association was the center of the country that gave birth to Taekwondo, and World Taekwondo Federation was the mother organization of global distribution and international sports activities.
The mother organization for all of them was Kukkiwon. Thinking of Korea Taekwondo Association and World Taekwondo Federation without Kukkiwon or the background and support from Kukkiwon, I wonder if it would have been possible for them to become proud organizations looked up by the world, as they are now.
In this process, many world sports leaders came to Kukkiwon and learned about Taekwondo, which they were originally unfamiliar with. These leaders include the IOC President Antonio Samaranch, many IOC members, sports ministers from various countries, president of the International Taekwon-do Federation, president of Olympic Council of Asia(OCA), board of directors of International Military Sports Council(CISM) , presidents of National Olympic Committee(NOC) including USSR, East Germany and USA, and Muhammad Ali.
Taekwondo is an Olympic sport that developed while maintaining the spirit and tradition of martial arts spirit. I am very grateful that the government protects and supports it through domestic laws, and that corporations sponsor Taekwondo. However, those other than Taekwondo practitioners are just temporary custodians, and the owners of Taekwondo are Taekwondo practitioners.
The Chairman of the Board of Kukkiwon Hong Seungchon, who was elected this time, was originally a Taekwondo practitioner, and President OH Hyun-deuk is originally a Taekwondo practitioner as well as an administrator. They have newly launched with a new vision of Taekwondo. Since they are Taekwondo practitioners, I believe that they will devote themselves to develop towards the vision of Taekwondo.
Just as Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo Federation, and Korea Taekwondo Association formed a trinity and strove for the creation of Olympic history that surprised the world in the past, it is now time for every one of us to cooperate and put our forces together for the new leap forward for Taekwondo.
Un Yong Kim
Founder of Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo Federation
Former Vice President of the IOC
As many of you know, I’m passionate about giving back to our nation’s service members – the few who fight to protect the freedom of this great country. Often times many of these inspiring individuals come home with wounds you can and can’t see, like a missing limb, combat stress, or depression. Because they’ve risked everything for us, I’m committed to raising awareness and funds for these wounded service members and their caregivers.
I am proud to host an event benefiting an organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has a big, audacious goal: to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history. I’m challenging myself to help WWP reach this vision, and I need your help.
WWP offers 20 holistic programs to wounded service members and their caregivers completely free of charge and 100% of the funds raised through the this event go directly to Wounded Warrior Project to help fuel these programs.
Please join my effort and give what you can by donating through my page. Click the donate button at the top and enter the amount you are able to give. Thank you in advance for your support!
SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) – The South Korean government has blocked North Korea’s participation in a martial arts competition here in September, after Pyongyang accepted an invitation, a Washington-based news media report said Wednesday.
According to Voice of America (VOA), the organizers of World Martial Arts Masterships asked George Vitale, the spokesman of the North Korea-led International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), to check whether North Korean taekwondo practitioners are willing to participate in its inaugural event in Cheongju, some 130 kilometers south of Seoul.
George Vitale receiving honorary doctorate from DPRK
Vitale, who was in Pyongyang last month for the ITF’s 50-year anniversary event, told the VOA that North Korea accepted the organizer’s offer. However, the South Korean government blocked the North Koreans from competing in the event, citing the recent situation with the North. Following Pyongyang’s fourth nuclear test in January and additional missile tests, the relationship between the South and the North has been cold.
According to the VOA, the South Korean government told the organizers that it will not allow North Korean athletes to enter South Korea and added that since North Chungcheong Province, not a private entity, is the main organizer, it will not oppose the central government’s decision.
The World Martial Arts Masterships is set for Sept. 2-8. The event aims to bring together some 2,100 people from 60 countries and offer 15 martial arts programs, including taekwondo, judo and kickboxing.
We are sad to learn of the passing of Grandmaster John Tompkins July 6, 2016. GM Tompkins was 72 and first joined the ITF after his service with the U.S. Army and served as a aviation crew member for the Huey platform while in Vietnam. GM Tompkins was known for his technical ability and could both verbally and in writing detail minute Taekwon-Do movements and ideas and his written color belt manual is still one of the best out there.
General Choi 7 Gwen F. Hall, 1981 Chicago, IL. U.S.A.
With the birth of Taekwon-Do on April 11 1955 when Taekwon-Do was given its name, many in the name of Taekwon-Do have been promoted to 9th Dan (degree). General Choi first appointed 9th Dan was Rhee, Ki-ha of Scotland, followed closely by Chuck Sereff and then Hwang, Kwang-sung in 1997. These are of course 9th Dans in the International Taekwon-Do Federation and do not include those promoted in any of the ITF’s since or other organizations in the world. However, with so many grandmasters its a matter of time in grade, or connections of financially motivated promotions that we see all to much in the world of Taekwon-Do.
Today is one of those days that I can say is a great day in the world of Taekwon-Do, the Kido Kwan and its members and martial artist in general. I am pleased to announce that
Master Gwen F. Hall of Corpus Christi Texas USA is now recognized as GRANDMASTER GWEN F. HALL 9th Dan. Grandmaster Hall has been involved in the martial arts for over fifty years actively teaching during the whole time. She has been involved in Taekwon-Do since 1968 and is senior to so many other Grandmasters that have been promoted before her. So please take the time to thank Grandmaster Hall by sending her a congratulations email message and please feel free to contact her for any help in the Taekwon-Do field.
DEAR KIND AND HONORABLE READER,
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE:
1.
With the authority and responsibility to maintain “global standards,” the Kukkiwon is implementing regulations in the U.S. that are already successfully established in Korea and other countries.
2.
The Kukkiwon policy does not change anything for the individuals testing for 1st and 2nd Dans. Individuals testing for 3rd through 7th Dans will need to be tested by a licensed Kukkiwon Test Examiner.
3.
Masters and Grandmasters who want to certify their own students should know current Kukkiwon standards by becoming licensed Kukkiwon Test Examiners. They can then promote their own students at their own location and with their own schedule.
4.
Regional Panels of Test Examiners will be set up in each state and will only need to be responsible for their own state.
5.
The Kukkiwon has a very clear picture of dojang operations worldwide, and as a “base” for examinations, the Kukkiwon standard was created as a minimum and allow instructors to include their personal material.
6.
Testing is supposed to be an “Examination,” where the student is tested on the required material as articulated in the Kukkiwon rules. Those conducting the examination need to have command of the testing material and be trained in how to score the different elements of the examination, in order to render a fair and qualified opinion on the student’s ability to meet a “specified” standard during the examination. Testing is not a “demonstration”; it is an examination. Testing is about the “student,” not the audience.
7.
The organization that was given the lead five years ago to assist the Kukkiwon with the regulations not only failed in their attempts, but their actions have delayed the standardization in the U.S., and they are now working to discredit the Kukkiwon.
8.
To retain some semblance of order and presence for the Kukkiwon practitioners in America, MOU organizations were selected and were given the same opportunity, as was given to the WTMU, to assist in establishing the standards. Only the WTMU has fully invested the time, effort, and its resources, into helping the Kukkiwon here in America.
9.
Bringing high standards and respect to Taekwondo, the Kukkiwon will continue to execute their federated strategy and regionalized examination panels with an inclusive mindset, so all Taekwondo practitioners in America have access to the Kukkiwon.
10.
The Kukkiwon urges all Taekwondo masters to come into compliance with existing policies of the Kukkiwon. Active resistance to adopting the Kukkiwon test policies will not be tolerated.
Respectfully,
KH Kim, 9th Dan Kukkiwon
World Taekwondo Masters Union
3141 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kukkiwoninfo.org
Office: (847) 480-9224
Direct: (630) 390-9975
Fax: (847) 480-9255
— for more information and to register —
Please visit KUKKIWON AMERICA at www.kukkiwoninfo.org.
Kukkiwon Poom/Dan Promotion Test Examiner Course Schedule & Guideline
DATE: November 19-22, 2015
VENUE: Hyatt Deerfield ADDRESS: 1750 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015
RESERVATION: $89 per night inc. breakfast, Special Hotel rate through WTMU
RESERVATION HOTLINE: (888) 421-1442
RESERVATION BLOCK NAME: Taekwondo
RESERVATION LINK: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/TAEKWONDO2015
TRANSPORTATION: English-American Taxi (847) 673-1000
Korean language – Express Taxi (847) 253-9000
MANDATORY CHECK-IN: Thursday, November 19 (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
Bring a form of identification.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE: Friday, November 20 – full day
Saturday, November 21 – full day
FINAL REVIEW & TEST: Sunday, November 22 ( 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Must stay for the duration; Anyone leaving before 3pm will be disqualified.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT: Taekwondo Masters, 4th Dan & higher
Non-U.S. citizens must provide a copy of their Green Card or Driver’s License.
Please submit the Kukkiwon Events Registration Form
either via email ([email protected]), fax (847) 480-9255, or send to:
Kukkiwon America
3141 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Please click on this link to download the below Registration
KH Kim Taekwondo | 3141 Dundee Rd. | Northbrook | IL | 60062
The film will be the first co-production project between the two countries in over 25 years.
Russia is planning the first co-production with North Korea since the Soviet era as part of a larger scheme aimed at stepping up film collaboration with the rogue nation.
State-backed Russian and North Korean filmmakers are planning a feature on the history of traditional Korean martial art of taekwondo, producer Yuri Mityushin told a news conference in Moscow on Tuesday.
“This picture will tell the story of taekwondo development,” he said. “It has a very long history and was known even in Czarist Russia. In addition, we are planning several more co-productions [with North Korea].”
A delegation of North Korean filmmakers is currently on a visit to Moscow, timed to a series of screenings of North Korean films.
According to Mityushin, who organized the screenings and the visit, the North Korean filmmakers are also scheduled to discuss collaboration with the state-run studios Mosfilm and Gorky Studio and talk with Russia’s main film school, VGIK, about accepting North Korean students.
Film ties between Russia and North Korea broke with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Before that, the Soviet Union and North Korea co-produced several movies, mostly focused on World War II events.
The most recent of those, Bereg spaseniya (Salvation Shore), directed by Arya Dashiyev, was released in 1990.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of Russia trying to step up co-production with other countries. Recently, co-production projects with China and India have been discussed.
The date of birth of the founder of Taekwon-Do, Choi, Hong-Hi is approaching. November 9th, make a difference! Show the would that you are TaekwonDo! Hold the sign, or make your own declaring ” I am TaekwonDo” and then give to your local community in any fashion, monetarily or with your time! Spread peace and good will with your actions, not your words only! Help others in the name of “Taekwon-Do”
The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has revealed details of the pilot project for its Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, which aims to deliver the sport and education programmes to refugee camps around the world.
Scheduled to begin on January 1, 2016, the 12-month project in Jordan is split into six phases, with each phase being conducted across two-month periods.
Participants aged from as young as six-years-old will undertake theoretical and practical classes in each of the six phases, at the end of which they will be tested in both elements.
Studying English literature, including taekwondo terminology, history and concepts, provides the basis for the theoretical classes, while the practical sessions will focus on the taekwondo disciplines of poomsae and kyorugi.
The initiative comes in response to the migrant crisis, with figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), putting the number of refugees worldwide at almost 20 million, and the number of forcibly displaced people at nearly 60 million.
“It is time to act,” said Choue, who is here for day one of the WTF Grand Prix Series 2.
“The World Taekwondo Federation, which administers the Olympic sport globally, is doing just that.
“We are establishing the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation this year in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“Its mandate is to deploy taekwondo coaches to refugee camps worldwide, bringing the benefits of fitness, sport, self-defence, self-belief and self-respect to those who need it most.
“Taekwondo is an economical, easily deployed deliverable that can help raise the quality of life for refugees in camps worldwide, both children and adults.
“As an International Federation of the International Olympic Committee, the WTF is fulfilling its social responsibility.
“And our sport has precedents for helping people overcome adversity.”
Choue, 67, who is in his fourth term now as WTF President having taken up the post in 2004, already has one successful sports humanitarian intervention to his credit in the shape of the Taekwondo Peace Corps (TPC) project, active since 2008.
TPC was set up in 2008 to help spread Korean culture through taekwondo, a sport that is closely associated with the country and is embedded in society there.
“It’s very satisfying to spread our sport to the world and the young kids are really happy to be receiving the Taekwondo Peace Corps teams,” he told insidethegames.
“Through that programme, the young kids are finding their hopes and dreams through the Olympic sport of taekwondo.”
Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that an emergency fund of $2 million (£1.3 million/€1.8 million) will be made available to National Olympic Committees to fund programmes aimed at helping refugees.
Thomas Bach, IOC President, said the decision to set up the fund was taken quickly in response to the growing crisis which has seen refugees attempt to reach Europe in search of safety.
Coming soon will be a history of Song Moo Kwan (松武館-송무관) and really the history of the Korean Kicking and Punching arts from 1944 on. It was very influential in the formation of the Korean Kwans (Chung Do Kwan 청도관-靑濤館, Moo Duk Kwan 무덕관-武德館, Chang Moo Kwan 창무관-彰武館) etc……learn directly from the founder and the current leader(s) of the Song Moo Kwan!
Wall art for your home, school or office! Hangul (Korean) and Hanja (Kanji/Chinese) related to your Korean martial art school, style or even organization. There will be no more then 27 of any one design. Each design will be hand made, inked and individually numbered by the up and coming calligrapher BongHwang 봉황.
Depending on what is being made most calligraphy will be on single set of the same material, below we see “HwaRang” in both Hangul and Hanga. The first series will play a role in promoting the patterns of the Chang Hon system by providing high quality, one of a kind art work for your Dojang, home or office. You will be able to pick and choose one or all the 25 patterns of the modern era of Taekwondo-Do! But remember, not many will be made of each, so once they come up you will want to be quick!
SEOUL, Korea (August 19, 2015) – International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was made an honorary 10th Dan black belt in the martial art of taekwondo today, during a visit to the headquarters of the sport’s world governing body.
The IOC chief was personally awarded the belt by World Taekwondo Federation President Chungwon Choue.
“Thank you very much for the honor of the 10th Dan black belt,” Bach said – adding with a joke, “After I was informed of it, I started practicing!”
“There have only been three people in the world awarded the 10thDan,” Choue explained. “Former IOC Presidents Juan Antonio Samaranch and Jacques Rogge well as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.”
Attired in a taekwondo uniform, Bach then smashed a board with a punch before the awarding ceremony.
The IOC president had been greeted at the entrance to the WTF headquarters – opposite the West Gate of Seoul’s medieval Gyeongbok Palace – by uniformed members of the WTF Demonstration Team.
He then held a round-table discussion between himself, Choue and officials including IOC Member and Chair of the IOC Coordination Committee for PyeongChang Ms. Gunilla Lindberg, IOC Protocol Chief Ms. Marina Baramia, IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper as well as WTF Secretary General Hoss Rafaty, WTF Council Member and Russian Taekwondo Union President Anatoly Terekhov and Korean Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Chong.
During the meeting, taekwondo’s preparations for the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the spread of taekwondo worldwide and an upcoming initiative by the WTF, the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, which will teach taekwondo at refugee camps, were all discussed.
Bach was particularly interested in the status of female and Muslim athletes in the sport. In the 2015 WTF World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series 1, which had concluded in Moscow just three days ago, two Muslim female athletes – Turkey’s Nafia Kus and Iran’s Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin– had won gold medals.
The IOC president and his delegation were on a two-day visit to Korea. Before their courtesy call to the WTF headquarters, they had met Korean President Park Geun-hye at the nearby presidential residence, the Blue House, to discuss progress on the upcoming 2018 PyeongyChang Winter Olympics.
Absent political considerations there should be no valid reason to exclude Gen. Choi from any Martial Art Hall Of Fame. While his many accomplishments speak for themselves, many do not realize that some of what he did was unprecedented & at times unmatched in the TKD world. However because at various points in his life some of his personal political views concerning his unfairly divided homeland of Korea & certain governmental leaders back home resulted in some negativity that has unfortunately tainted his TKD record.
While Gen. Choi’s personal politics & views are his own, many feel that it should not impact what he did for TKD & how his work continues to influence millions globally in a very positive way. As a result you, as a TKD person, should take the time out to send an email to the new Taekwondowon in MuJu, South Korea respectfully requesting that Gen. Choi receive the highest honor possible for his international impact on TKD. We know 1 thing for sure, without Gen. Choi there would be no TKD. He of course named it. Now there still may have been another Korean Martial Sport that made it into the Olympics, but it would not have been TKD. So every single student of TKD, no matter his or her age, rank or location on this planet, owes some small debt of gratitude to Gen. Choi. PLEASE take a brief moment of your time to send an email to: [email protected]
It is the least we can do & if not Gen. Choi, then really, who does deserve this honor?
You are not limited with your nominations. You can feel free to nominate anyone you feel is worthy. However if we don’t succeed in getting Gen. Choi honored, it probably will not be possible initially to have any of his followers acknowledged. Also please understand the Taekwondowon put out requests on their Korean language Facebook Page & website. They have also sent a request to the WTF for nominations. So if you don’t nominate Gen. Choi who will? There is no apparent visible outreach to the ITF side. Please do not allow politics to continue to get disrupt the martial art way of TKD’s “DO”! The Taekwondowon needs to here from all of us, as they are on record saying their new TKD Park is for all. So lets please give them the opportunity to demonstrate that wonderful posture with fair & just action by honoring the man who started it all.
Thank you
Two Kido Kwan black belts competed April 26, 2014 in Corpus Christi, Texas U.S.A.
Eddie (left) 3rd place breaking, 2nd place Patterns(Choong Moo), 2nd place Weapons (Bo Staff)
Alan (right) 3rd place breaking (Me and Eddie tied), 2nd place sparring, 1st place Patterns (Po Eun !!! ), 1st place Weapons (Bo Staff).
These two black belts are direct students of Master (senior) Gwen F. Hall, VIII Dan (center) who helped judge in the tournament hosted by WarCats by Reymundo Gonzales, VII Dan.
IF you take this survey, your answers will only count if you fill in the basic information asked. This is in part to insure we don’t have duplicate posts etc. [SURVEYS 2]
AS OF 14/ July/2015
4098 VOTES
President Choi, Jung-Hwa aka ITF-C HQ Middlesex United Kingdom 24%
President Chang Ung aka ITF-NK HQ Vienna, Austria 28%
President Pablo Trajtenberg aka ITF-V HQ Beindorn, Spain 19%
Secretary General Oh Chang Jin aka ITF-K HQ Seoul South Korea 9%
GM Hwang, Kwang-sung aka UITF Manchester , CT USA 11%
It is with great sadness to inform that Grandmaster Benny S. Rivera “Father of Taekwon-do in Puerto Rico” has passed away suffering from heart attack. Our sincere condolences go to GM Rivera’s family and students. May his soul rest in perfect peace!
About His Taekwon-Do Life
Puerto Rico counts on one of the biggest martial advocates of the art in the world. At the moment he possesses the rank of eighth Dan and is the first Latin American in obtaining this rank.
Furthermore he is one of the figure heads in the development of the art of Taekwon-Do at world level. Master Rivera began his studies of Taekwon-Do in 1969 with his instructor G.M. Kong Young Il obtaining the rank of first Dan. In 1975 he returned to Puerto Rico where he started a school for the first time. Master Benny Rivera is physically active in the education of Taekwon-Do and continues the legacy of Taekwon- Do. In the course of time Master Rivera is obtaining great recognition with the number of events, national and international. Managing to spread his knowledge through all the islands by means of its instructors.
In 1978 Masters Rivera obtained a gold medal in the world Championship celebrated in Oklahoma City. Through the representation of Masters Rivera, Puerto Rico has been awarded the best instructor of Taekwon-Do by the founder General Choi Hong Hi. In 1987 Master Rivera was inducted to the Hall of the Fame next to Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, on April 6 of 2007 he was nominated once again to the Hall of Fame of Taekwon-Do along with some of the great pioneers in the history of the art. At the moment he is the President of the Pan-American council of Taekwon-Do and Chairman of the committee “elite pro fight” of the International Taekwon-Do Federation.
It’s with deep regret that we notify you that Grandmaster Nam, Tae-Hi (March 19, 1923- November 7, 2013) has passed away in a hospital near his home in Garden Grove, CA. USA. More to follow soon!
The 2013 Midwest Open is less than 6 weeks away. I want to personally invite you to the Midwest Open Taekwondo Championship November 23rd & 24th in Decatur, Illinois. Every year we try to make things better than the last if possible. We will be starting the weekend with registrations & pre-registrations on Friday November 22nd from 5:00-8:00pm at the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel. There will also be plenty of training area for teams to practice before the event. 2013 midwest open poster
2013 midwest open packet
Saturday will consist of forms, sparring and grand champion award in forms along with our Chris Canning award and black belt scholarship. New for 2013!!! We have added electronic chest protectors (kpp) for all black belt divisions. The socks will be available for black belt sparer’s to rent for $5 at the tournament.
Sunday will be breaking, weapons and grand champion in those events. Again this year we will be having grand champion in forms, breaking and weapons and anyone that places 1st in their division will be allowed to compete for that award. We have added another Grand champion award in breaking as well. All grand champion awards this year will be 6′ trophies!!! In addition to those awards we will be having our special Chris Canning grand champion award. Instructors please submit names of anyone that you would like to recommend for this award.
We will also be having our Chris Canning $500 scholarship awarded to 1 black belt at the event. Please go to the tournament website for information.
We have worked hard on the tournament schedule to make sure that everyone knows what time they will compete. We have also improved our tournament website by adding spectator passes online. We also have discount competitor rates for multiple family members.
The tournament venue consists of a huge competition area with 6 matted rings and electronic scoring, staging area and separate warm up area. We also have a play area for young ones. The Decatur Conference Center & Hotel also is offering discount rates for rooms for anyone that is at the Midwest Open Taekwondo Championship. The newly remodeled hotel offers 2 restaurants, and indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, sports bar and a video game area.
As we have done in past years if you are an instructor bringing competitors, you will receive 1 free night stay at the tournament hotel for every 10 pre-registered competitors! The top 3 schools will receive an award. All children age 12 and under will receive an award and everyone that wins in forms, breaking or weapons has an opportunity at grand champion awards regardless of age or belt rank.
I am attaching all the tournament information for you and your school to look over. Feel free to pass this on. We are making every effort to assure that everyone has a great experience. The tournament staff will do their best to make sure the event runs smoothly and expeditiously. That all competitors, guests, coaches and officials are treated fairly and with respect. And that competitors get great and fair competition along with a great experience. I am always available for questions, comments or concerns before, during or after the event. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call or email me.
The Kido Kwan and several of it’s members have been featured or written articles that have appeared in Totally Tae Kwon Do, which is a downloadable PDF magazine for Tae Kwon Do enthusiasts across the globe. The magazine dedicated to all aspects of the martial art of Tae Kwon Do, arguably the world’s most popular martial art and Olympic sport. The magazine caters for all styles of the art, so whether you’re Ch’ang Hon/ITF, KKW/WTF or any other style of Tae Kwon Do, then the magazine will be of interest to you. So if you do Taekwon-Do, Taekwondo or Tae Kwon Do, then this magazines for you.
An instructor of one of the Kido Kwan Directors has sadley passed…
BY STAFF REPORTORS of the CHEROKEE PHOENIX
WICHITA, Kan. – Wilson Vann, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and master instructor of martial arts, died on Aug. 8 at age 89.
Grandmaster In Hui Won, Grandmaster Wilson Vann, Grandmaster Kyo Yoon Lee
Born on June 11, 1924, in Short, Okla., he eventually joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific theater during World War II. After the war, he worked 36 years at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita before retiring and moving to Tahlequah, Okla., where he resided until 2011.
He owned Judo and Tae Kwon Do schools for more than 50 years, which produced many champions in national and international competition. He had a reputation as a noted instructor of martial arts in the U.S. and Korea, specializing in Tae Kwon Do and Kodokan Judo. He held a black belt in Judo and a ninth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do from the Han Moo Kwan. Han Moo Kwan was founded in August 1954 by Kyo Yoon Lee and is one of the nine original Kwans that later formed Kukkiwon Tae Kwon Do.
Vann is survived by his wife Loretta (Riner) of 65 years, three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
According to a Cherokee Nation email, “Vann was a proud Cherokee and a WWII veteran. For many years he taught young men and women Tae Kwon Do. Using martial arts as a platform, he also taught them much of what they needed to succeed in life. That teaching included working hard, being honest, never giving up. His students learned courage and commitment. He left us hundreds of heroes in waiting. They will support their families, help their friends, maintain a sense of honor; and, God willing, live a peaceful life. But when courage is needed, they will have it. And in great part, it will be due to the quiet, unassuming mentoring of a great man.”
GM Wilson Vann
Funeral and graveside services were expected be held on Aug. 14 at the Old Mission Cemetery and Funeral Home in Wichita. Memorials in Vann’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at oldmissionmortuary.com.
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https://fundraise.woundedwarriorproject.org/rtt/Fundraising/individual/37161383
Choue, 67, who is in his fourth term now as WTF President having taken up the post in 2004, already has one successful sports humanitarian intervention to his credit in the shape of the Taekwondo Peace Corps (TPC) project, active since 2008.
