Taekwondo Grandmaster List: High Inspiring Legends
Becoming a taekwondo grandmaster is a big achievement. It takes years of hard work and dedication. I’ve seen many legends in taekwondo, and each one has a unique story. In this article, we’ll look at the taekwondo grandmaster list and see who has reached this top rank. Keep reading to learn what it takes to become a grandmaster and how you can get there, too.
Understanding the Taekwondo Grandmaster Rank
Becoming a taekwondo grandmaster takes years of practice. It’s about more than just mastering moves—it’s about dedication and respect for the art. I’ve seen many practitioners work hard to reach this level. In this section, let’s explore what it means to be a grandmaster and how to get there.
What is a Taekwondo Grandmaster?
A taekwondo grandmaster is someone who has reached a high rank, often 9th or 10th dan. These grandmasters are skilled and respected. They are more than just experts—they also teach and guide others. I’ve watched many grandmasters work hard and help others grow in Taekwondo.
Requirements for Becoming a Grandmaster
Becoming a taekwondo grandmaster takes time and effort. Different organizations, like World Taekwondo and ITF Taekwondo, have their own rules. But, all require dedication, mastery of techniques, and a passion for teaching. From my experience, the path is about more than rank—it’s about living the values of Taekwondo.
The Process of Promotion: 9th Dan and 10th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo
Promotion to the 9th dan or 10th degree black belt takes time and effort. It’s not just about skill—it’s also about teaching and leading. I’ve seen how much dedication it takes to reach this level. The process involves exams, time spent in training, and proving your ability to teach.
The Importance of Taekwondo Grandmasters
Grandmasters in Taekwondo are more than just skilled fighters. They shape the art and inspire others. I’ve seen how their impact reaches far beyond the mat. Let’s take a look at how these grandmasters influence Taekwondo and the world.
Pioneers of the Art
Grandmasters like Choi Hong-Hi helped spread Taekwondo beyond South Korea. He worked hard to teach and organize the sport worldwide. I’ve always admired how he traveled so much to share his knowledge and love for Taekwondo.
Cultural Influence and Legacy
Taekwondo grandmasters helped build strong communities in places like the U.S. and Vietnam. They taught Taekwondo to people who made it their own. I’ve seen Taekwondo become a part of people’s lives, connecting different cultures.
Beyond the Rank: Taekwondo as a Lifestyle
For many grandmasters, Taekwondo is more than a sport—it’s a way of living. Even after reaching high ranks, they keep teaching others. From my experience, their lessons go beyond Taekwondo, showing us how to live with respect and dedication.
Taekwondo Grandmaster List: Notable Figures
Taekwondo has many grandmasters who shaped the sport. They made Taekwondo global and inspiring. Let’s look at some top figures from Kukkiwon, ITF, and other Taekwondo systems.
Top Kukkiwon Grandmasters
Kukkiwon has produced many famous grandmasters. These figures helped spread Taekwondo across the world. They led tournaments and developed new programs for Taekwondo. Grandmasters like Kim Ki-whang helped shape the sport for generations.
| Name | Rank | Life | Prominence | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Sung-chon | 9th dan | 1945–present | Kukkiwon Chairman (2016–); CEO of the Philippine Taekwondo Association | Philippines |
| Kim Ki-whang | 10th dan | 1920–1993 | Chair of US Olympic Taekwondo Team 1988; Hall of Fame inductee | United States |
| Park Young-Ghil | 10th dan | 1941–2024 | Founder of Italian Taekwondo; Technical Director of WTF Poomsae Committee 2018 | Italy |
| Chung Sun-hwan | 9th dan | 1940–present | Founder of Moo Sool Do; U.S. National Champion (1963–1965) | United States |
| Samer Kamal | 9th dan | 1966–present | President of Arab Canadian Sports Association; 1988 Seoul Olympics medalist | Canada |
| Sell, Edward B | 10th dan | 1942–2014 | Highest ranked non-Asian Taekwondo black belt in the world | United States |
| Paik, Sang-kee | 9th dan | 1929–2009 | Early student of Grand Master Ki Whang Kim; created the Sa-Sang Kwan system | United States |
| Lee, Hyeon-kon | 9th dan | 1947–present | Chairman of Board of Education of Kukkiwon; published medical scientist | United States |
| Cho, Byung-kon | 9th dan | 1947–present | Founder of Wisconsin and Virginia Governors Cup; author of multiple Taekwondo books | United States |
| Wyllie, Gregory | 9th dan | 1955–present | Introduced Taekwondo into New South Wales schools; runs Wyllie Strike Taekwondo academy | Australia |
ITF Grandmasters
ITF Taekwondo also has grandmasters who changed the game. Choi Hong-Hi founded the ITF and spread Taekwondo around the world. These grandmasters’ work still shapes how Taekwondo is practiced today.
| Name | Rank | Life | Prominence | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Jong-Chan | 9th dan | 1936–present | Grandmaster Jong Chan Kim, a key figure in ITF history | Canada |
| Choi Chang-keun | 9th dan | 1940–present | Led efforts to reunite the ITF; one of KTA’s 12 original masters | Canada |
| Choi Hong-Hi | 9th dan | 1918–2002 | Founder of ITF, instrumental in spreading Taekwondo worldwide | Canada |
| Choi Jung-hwa | 9th dan | 1951–present | President of ITF organization; son of Choi Hong-Hi | Canada |
| Robert Howard | 9th dan | 1938–present | Helped establish Taekwondo in Ireland; first European man promoted to 9th dan | Ireland |
| Kong Young-il | 9th dan | 1943–present | Promoted to 9th dan by Choi Hong-Hi; one of KTA’s original masters | United States |
| Nam Tae-Hi | 9th dan | 1929–2013 | Father of Vietnamese Taekwondo; co-led KTA’s 12 original masters | United States |
| Nguyen Van Binh | 9th dan | 1936–present | Chairman of ITF Masters Promotion Committee; pioneer in Vietnam | United States |
| Park Jong-soo | 9th dan | 1941–2021 | One of KTA’s original masters | Canada |
| Rhee Ki-ha | 9th dan | 1938–present | Father of British and Irish Taekwondo; key figure in ITF history | United Kingdom |
| Charles Sereff | 9th dan | 1933–2022 | Founder of United States Taekwon-Do Federation | United States |
| Pablo Trajtenberg | 9th dan | 1955–2022 | President of ITF organization after 2010 | Argentina |
| Trieu Quan Tran | 9th dan | 1952–2010 | President of ITF organization from 2003 to 2010 | Canada |
Other Taekwondo Grandmaster List
In addition to well-known figures from Kukkiwon and ITF, there are many grandmasters from other Taekwondo systems. These include ATA, Chang-Hon/ITF Style, and Traditional Taekwondo. They have made big contributions by spreading Taekwondo to new places and creating their own styles.
| Name | Rank | Life | Prominence | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cho, Hee-il | 9th dan | 1940–present | Founded Action International Martial Arts Association; author of multiple Taekwondo books | United States |
| Cho, Sihak Henry | 9th dan | 1934–2012 | Pioneer of Taekwondo in the U.S.; contributed to the World Book Encyclopedia | United States |
| Choi, Kwang-jo | 9th dan | 1942–present | Founder of Choi Kwang-Do; one of KTA’s 12 original masters | United States |
| Han, Cha-kyo | 9th dan | 1934–1996 | One of the KTA’s 12 original masters | United States |
| Hwang, Kwang-sung | 9th dan | 1942–present | Promoted to 9th dan by Choi Hong-Hi; key figure in Taekwondo development | United States |
| Hwang, Jang-lee | 9th dan | 1944–present | Taekwondo instructor and Technical Advisor at World Tang Soo Do General Federation | Korea |
| Kim, Bok-man | 11th dan | 1934–2021 | Founder of World Chun Kuhn Taekwon-Do Federation; key figure in Southeast Asia Taekwondo | USA |
| Kim, Pyung-soo | 10th dan | 1939–present | Founder of International Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts Association; author of multiple Taekwondo books | United States |
| Lee, Haeng-ung | 10th dan | 1936–2000 | Founder of American Taekwondo Association (ATA); author of The Way of Traditional Taekwondo | USA |
| Park, Jung-tae | 9th dan | 1943–2002 | One of the KTA’s 12 original masters | Canada |
| Rhee, Chong-chul | 9th dan | 1935–2023 | Father of Australian Taekwondo; founder of Rhee Taekwon-Do | Australia |
| Rhee, Jhoon-goo | 10th dan | 1932–2018 | Father of American Taekwondo | USA |
| Vega, Orlando | 9th dan | 1952–present | Influential figure in ITF; studied Kempo Karate before focusing on Taekwondo | USA/Puerto Rico |
| Yun Dukan | 9th dan | 1942–present | Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo pioneer; began teaching in the United States in 1968 | USA |
How Does One Become a Taekwondo Grandmaster?
Becoming a Taekwondo grandmaster is more than just learning moves. It takes time, effort, and dedication. From my experience, I’ve seen how focused and patient you need to be to reach the highest levels. Let’s take a look at the path to becoming a grandmaster.
The Path to 9th Dan and Beyond
9th dan is the highest rank in Taekwondo. It takes many years of practice and teaching. It’s about perfecting your skills and understanding the art. The 10th degree black belt is the ultimate goal, given after a lifetime of contribution. Reaching 9th dan is a big achievement, showing true mastery.
Training, Dedication, and Teaching
Becoming a grandmaster requires hard work. It takes years of training, studying, and teaching. I’ve seen grandmasters train endlessly, not just in techniques but in philosophy. Training is constant, and teaching is key. The path to 9th dan is all about learning and helping others learn.
How Aspiring Practitioners Can Learn from Grandmasters
Aspiring practitioners can learn from grandmasters by watching and listening. Grandmasters have so much wisdom to share. I’ve learned from them by attending their classes and watching how they teach. You can pick up not just moves, but also their mindset.
How to Follow in the Footsteps of Taekwondo Grandmasters
Becoming a Taekwondo grandmaster takes more than learning moves. It takes patience, hard work, and dedication. I have seen many start from nothing and rise to the top. Let me share how you can follow their path.
Finding the Right Taekwondo School
When I began Taekwondo, I didn’t know what to look for. It’s important to find a school with a mix of traditional and modern methods. The right school will teach the basics and also help you improve. Look for a school that values respect and progress.
Setting Goals for Your Taekwondo Journey
Setting goals helped me stay focused in Taekwondo. I started with small goals and worked my way up. Whether you want to reach 9th dan or just improve, focus on progress. Make small goals to reach big ones.
Learning from Grandmasters’ Stories
Comments
0 comment