List of taekwondo grandmasters

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

List of Taekwondo Grandmasters includes notable persons who have been recognised as grandmasters of the Korean martial art of taekwondo. There is no single, universally-recognised set of criteria to define a taekwondo grandmaster; different organisations and different styles have their own rules. Those listed below are grouped by system: Kukkiwon (widely known as the World Taekwondo Federation or WTF system), International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), and other systems (which includes some persons receiving ranks from taekwondo organisations that predate the other two systems, e.g., the original Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA)) and United Taekwondo Association UWTA. Also WANIN DO By Grandmaster Kyong Lee of Toronto Canada.

Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Federation)

This list includes persons who: (1) are ranked at least 9th dan by Kukkiwon (the highest rank normally awarded to living persons within that system); (2) are notable as individuals; and (3) are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.

Name	Rank	Life	Residence	Prominence	References
Lee, Eun Woo	9th dan	1948	South Africa	President of Kwanjangdo(KJD) in South Africa and the United Kingdom, Technical Director of the Mozambique Taekwondo Federation and Technical Advisor for Swaziland. Kukkiwon Technical Advisor.	[1]
Ahn, Kyongwon	9th dan	1937–	United States of America	Founded United Taekwondo Association; former President of the United States Taekwondo Union	See main article
Cha, Yong-Kil	9th dan	1946–	Germany	President of the Jidokwan Europe Federation	[2]
Chang, Seong Dong	9th dan	1953–	South Korea	President of Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy, founder of Taekwondo in India	[3]
Choi, Tae-hong	9th dan	1935–2009	United States of America	Founded first taekwondo school in Oregon, USA; former Vice-President of the United States Taekwondo Union	See main article
Chung, Sun Hwan	9th dan	1940–	United States of America	Founder of Moo Sool Do and President of World Academy of Martial Arts Association. Korean National Champion (1963-1965). Kukkiwon Advisory Council (2008). Hall of Fame - U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society. Former President, U.S.T.U. Michigan Tae Kwon Do Association.	[4][5][6]
Dong, Seung Gyoo	9th dan	1946–	United States of America	President of Advanced World Martial Arts System; author of several books	[7]
Kailian, Gregory S.	9th dan	1946 -	United States of America	9th dan (Kukkiwon #05001960) 1st Class Master Instructor (Kukkiwon #1647001) 1st Class Poom/Dan Promotion Test Examiner (Kukkiwon #1020001) "S" Class World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), International Referee (WTF IR #013-0625) Author, Sport Taekwondo Referee Primer	Sport Taekwondo Referee Primer
Kil, Sang Sup	9th dan	Unknown	United States of America	Korean National Champion between the years of 1965 and 1968, Founding President of the United States Han Mu Kwan Federation, President of the Michigan Tae Kwon Do Association	[8]
Kim, Il-Kwon	9th dan	1942–2015	United States of America	Founder and President of the I. K. Kim Ja Be Ryu Tae Kwon Do Organization located in Cincinnati Ohio & President of the World Martial Arts Federation	[9]
Kim, Ki Whang	9th dan	1920–1993	United States of America	Promoted to 9th dan by the KTA; Chairman of the US Olympic Taekwondo team 1988. Inducted into Taekwondo Hall of Fame 2009	See main article
Lee, Bum-I	9th dan	1938–	Germany	President of the German-Korean culture Federal e.V. (DKK e.V.). Chairman of Taekwondo Instructor Association in Europe. Chairman of the European Taekwondo delegation in Korea. Highest Dan-grade of Europe (1985) and "father of Taekwondo" in Germany. Lives in Hanover.	[10][11]
Lee, Chong Soo	9th dan	1938–	Canada	Father of Canadian Taekwondo	[12]
Lee, Tae Eun	9th dan	Unknown	Canada	Executive Council member of the World Taekwondo Federation; Major player in having WTF Taekwondo recognized as an official Olympic sport; Goodwill Ambassador for the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Canada, from 3 October 2012 – 31 December 2013	[13]
Lee, Hyeon Kon	9th dan	c. 1947–	United States of America	Chairman of Board of Education of Kukkiwon; former Vice Chairman of Education of the WTF; author of taekwondo textbook	[14][15][16]
Lee, Kwan Sung	9th dan	c. 194?–2003	United States of America	President of Kentucky Taekwondo Association.	[17]
Mayes, Myong Sok Namkung	9th dan	c. 1954–	United States of America	Highest-ranked woman in taekwondo, 1988 US Olympic Coach (Women's)	[18][19][20]
Nguyen, Dang Phung	9th dan	Unknown	Australia	President of Chang Moo Kwan Australasia, Order of Australia Medal (OAM) 2009	See main article
Paik, Sang Kee	9th dan	1929–2009	United States of America	Early student of B. I. Yoon and first Black Belt of Grand Master Ki Whang Kim; created Sa-Sang Kwan system. Inducted into Taekwondo Hall of Fame 2013	See main article
Park, Dong Keun	9th dan	c. 1941–	United States of America	Father of Thai taekwondo; Head Coach of US Olympic taekwondo team in 1988 and 1992	See main article
Pak, Jang Hee	9th dan		United States of America	Produced 5 Black belt students who have represented the United States National Tae Kwon Do Team, two of whom won gold medals in the Olympic Games.
Park, Yeon Hwan	9th dan	1952–	United States of America	Korean National Champion 1971–1975; US Olympic Coach; Pan-American Team Coach; author of several reference books	See main article
Park, Young Ghil	9th dan	1941–	Italy	One of Founders of Italian Taekwondo (three Park Brothers - Sun Jae Park, Young Ghil Park, Chung Un Park); current Honorary President of FITA - Italian Taekwondo Federation; current Technical Director of WTF Poomsae Committee	[21][22][23][24]
Shin, Jang-Hwan	9th dan	1951–	Austria	Father of Austrian taekwondo	[25]
Lee, Hyeon Kon	9th dan	c. 1947–	United States of America	Chairman of Board of Education of Kukkiwon; former Vice Chairman of Education of the WTF; author of taekwondo textbook. Uses Western and Eastern Medicine concurrently with great success. Became an M.D. in 2000. Published medical scientist in over 10 journals and one book. Life dedicated to helping the sick return to health.	[14][15][16]
Ko, Tai Jeong	9th dan	Unknown	Denmark	Former national coach of Denmark
Park, Suk Byung	9th dan	Unknown -	South Korea	Founder of Jungdo Federation, Korea Judo National Champion (1969-1974), Olympic Head Coach – Netherlands, Yongin University Assistant Professor, Black Belt Man of the Year 1983, 1993, 1999, World Championships – 2nd Place
Nam, Kil, Kim	9th Dan	Unknown	United States of America	Founder of the San Diego taekwondo Association	founder of the California Tae Kwon Do championship	International referee	for over 55 years grandmaster NOM killed Kim has teeth thousands of students and military and law-enforcement Korean martial art
Robinson, Clint	9th dan	Unknown	United States of America	Co-founder of the United World Taekwondo Association. Since 1975 Grandmaster Robinson has trained thousands of students to the highest levels of expertise in the Korean-based martial art.	See main article

International Taekwon-Do Federation

This list includes persons who: (1) are ranked 9th dan by the ITF (and thus officially recognised as 'Grand Masters' within that system);^[26] (2) are notable as individuals; and (3) are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.

Name	Rank	Life	Residence	Prominence	References
Tompkins, John F.	9th dan	1944-2016	USA
Bos, Willem Jacob	9th dan	1952–	Italy	President of the All European Taekwon-Do Federation 2004–2006; Technical Director for the Italian Taekwon-Do Federation 1992–	[27][28]
Choi, Chang Keun	9th dan	c. 1940–	Canada	Leading campaign to reunite the ITF; one of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Choi, Hong Hi	9th dan	1918–2002	Canada	Played major role in establishing Taekwon-Do; inaugural President of the KTA; founded the ITF; co-led the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Choi, Jung Hwa	9th dan	1951–	Canada	President of one of the three ITF organisations; son of H. H. Choi; involvement in Korean political controversy. Choi Jung Hwa was born on Cheju Island, Korea on 22nd May, 1951 and has studied Taekwon-Do since the age of 7, not only under his father, but also under many high ranking and pioneering Taekwon-Do Masters during their visits and stays with General Choi. He served many years on the ITF Executive Board and, later on, Choi Jung Hwa would assist General Choi on many of his International Seminars throughout the world, and later would be appointed by the ITF to conduct these International courses on General Choi’s behalf. Grandmaster Choi held the post as Secretary General of the ITF for several years until elected as General Choi’s successor to the Presidency by the ITF members in 2001 at the ITF Congress. Choi Jung Hwa was promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt in 2004 and to the rank of Grandmaster, is the only son of the Founder of Taekwon-Do General Choi Hong Hi.	[29][30][31][32]
Hwang, Kwang Sung	9th dan K-9-1 on 12/08/1997	Born 1942 Taegu, Korea -	United States of America Manchester,Ct.	GM Hwang was one of the first three instructors that General Choi, Hong Hi promoted to the rank of 9th Dan. The list consisted of FGM Rhee, Ki Ha UK-9-1, GM Hwang Kwang Sung K-9-1, and GM Charles "Chuck" Seriff A-9-1 who was also the first non-Asian to receive this Honor.	GM Hwang began studying at the age of 11 and received his 1st Degree in Tang Soo Do in 1957, hid 2nd Degree in 1961, his 3rd Degree from the I.T.F. K-3-40 09/18/1968 staying loyal to General Choi Hong Hi through the years. He was at General Choi's side where he transcribed General Choi's last words. GM Hwang retired a Captain in the ROK Army where he had instructed The Korean Tiger Division, The Korean Army, The U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, Marine, and the Vietnamese Army receiving many Commendations. GM Hwang simultaneously served as special assistant to General Choi, official spokesman of the ITF, chairman of the ITF promotion and merger committees, and Secretary General of the ITF. GM Hwang also served as the Head of the KoreAmerica Taekwon-Do Union as requested by General Choi Hong Hi. GM Hwang is now Head of the International Taekwon-Do Federation Unified. His mission is to carry on his previous duties as requested by General Choi to work to unify all who practice Taekwon-DO. Ref. http://www.unified-itf.com/index.php/about-us/history-of-gm-hwang , http://katu-itf.tripod.com/gmhwang.htm ,http://www.taekwondoschoolofexcellence.com/TaekwondoSchoolofExcellence/The_Grand_Master.html, Personal Conversations with GM Hwang, Kwang Sung and General Choi Hong Hi ; Peter M. Thompson
Howard, Robert	9th dan	c. 1938–	Ireland	President of the Republic of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association; helped establish taekwondo in Ireland; first European man promoted to 9th dan	[33][34][35][36]
Kong, Young Il	9th dan	1943–	United States of America	One of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; one of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Massar, Frank	9th dan	1958–	United Kingdom	Founded Massar Taekwondo Association	See main article
Nam, Tae Hi	9th dan	1929–2013	United States of America	Father of Vietnamese taekwondo; pivotal performance in martial arts demonstration 1954; co-led the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Dang, Huy Duc	9th dan	1944–	United States of America	Director of Martial Arts Training Center, South Vietnam National Police Force Headquarters; one of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi	[37][38][39]
Nguyen, Van Binh	9th dan	1936–	United States of America	Chairman of ITF Masters Promotion Committee; President of ITF-USA; pioneer of taekwondo in Vietnam	[40][41][42]
Park, Jong Soo	9th dan	1941–	Canada	One of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Rhee, Ki Ha	9th dan	1938–	United Kingdom	Father of British and Irish taekwondo; one of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; one of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Sereff, Charles	9th dan	1933–	United States of America	One of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; founded the United States Taekwon-Do Federation	[43][44][45]
Tran, Trieu Quan	9th dan	1952–2010	Canada	President of one of the three ITF organisations from 2003 to 2010	See main article
Trajtenberg, Pablo	9th dan	c. 1955–	Argentina	President of one of the three ITF organisations after T. Q. Tran's death in 2010	[46][47][48][49]
Kirschbaum, Len G.	9th dan	1955-	United States of America	President of IOTF and Founder of the International Academy of TKD. Delegate for H.H. Choi for special certification seminars for ITF.

Other taekwondo systems

This list includes persons who: (1) have been widely recognized masters of taekwondo for at least 30 years; (2) are notable as individuals; and (3) are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.

Name	Rank	Life	Residence	Prominence	References
Cho, Hee Il	9th dan	1940–	United States of America	Founded Action International Martial Arts Association; wrote several taekwondo books	See main article
Cho, Sihak Henry	9th dan	1934–2012	United States of America	Pioneer of taekwondo in the United States of America; wrote several books; contributed karate article in World Book Encyclopedia (1976)	See main article
Kim, Pyung-soo	10th dan	1939 -	United States of America	One of only two students that tested and promoted to 5th Dan at the first Korean Tae Soo Do Association exam in 1962. First correspondent from South Korea to Black Belt Magazine(1964–68). Founder of The International Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts Association. Author of three Taekwondo Books (Ohara Publications): Palgue 1-2-3 of Taekwondo Hyung, Palgue 4-5-6 of Taekwondo Hyung, Palgue 7-8 of Taekwondo Hyung, and one Taekwondo book published in Russia.	See main article
Choi, Kwang Jo	9th dan	1942–	United States of America	Founded Choi Kwang-Do; one of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Han, Cha Kyo	9th dan	1934–1996	United States of America	One of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Hwang, Kwang Sung	9th dan	c. 1942–	United States of America	One of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi	[45][50]
Kyong Lee	9th dan		Canada	Founded Wanin Do
Park, Jung Tae	9th dan	c. 1943–2002	Canada	One of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Rhee, Chong Chul	8th dan	c. 1935–	Australia	Father of Australian taekwondo; founded Rhee Taekwon-Do; one of the KTA's 12 original masters	See main article
Rhee, Jhoon Goo	10th dan	1932–	United States of America	Father of American taekwondo
Kirschbaum, Len G.	9th dan	1955-	United States of America	Founder of Original Taekwon-Do Federation (IOTF) on June 17, 2002. Served as special ITF seminar instructor and loyal student of Taekwon-Do founder, General Choi Hong Hi.

See also

• Original masters of taekwondo

References

1. Grandmaster Eun Woo Lee
2. Grandmaster Cha Yong-Kil Retrieved on 17 December 2012.
3. "SANGROK World Taekwondo Academy". sangrokgym.com.
4. "140G-17". chungsunhwan.com.
5. Grandmaster Sun Hwan Chung - Hall of Fame Induction
6. "The Greats of Tae Kwon Do - USA - Grand Master Sun Hwan Chung". lacancha.com.
7. Grandmaster Seung Gyoo Dong Tae Kwon Do: Grandmaster S. Dong (c. 2012). Retrieved on 11 December 2012.
8. Grandmaster Sang Sup Kil Tae Kwon Do (c. 2013). Retrieved on 20 November 2013.
9. Grandmaster Grand Master Il-Kwon Kim Retrieved on 10 Feb 2013.
10. Großmeister LEE, BUM-I (9. Dan) (2009). Retrieved on 28 March 2016.
11. Grandmaster LEE, BUM-I (9th Dan) (2009). Retrieved on 28 March 2016.
12. Chong Lee Taekwondo: Grand Master Chong Lee (2010). Retrieved on 24 December 2010.
13. Tae E. Lee Taekwondo (2011). Retrieved on 31 July 2015.
14. Grandmaster H. K. Lee Tae Kwon Do: Grandmaster H. K. Lee (c. 2004). Retrieved on 1 June 2009.
15. Richmond Sunlight: House Resolution no. 503 (Virginia General Assembly, 10 May 2006). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
16. DiCicco, M. (2009): Following Tae Kwon Do to its origins: Members of area studio return from expo in Korea with medals, memories, fighting skills Connection Newspapers (26 August 2009). Retrieved on 20 March 2010.
17. Grandmaster K. S. Lee Tae Kwon Do: Grandmaster K. S. Lee (c. 2011). Retrieved on 24 May 2012.
18. Amadio, K. (c. 2008): Tae Kwon Do belt system Retrieved on 22 April 2009.
19. US Taekwondo Center: Grand Master Myong Sok Namkung Mayes (c. 2008). Retrieved on 22 April 2009.
20. USA Taekwondo: Life Members & Application (2009). Retrieved on 20 March 2010.
21. Hawkins, P. (2004): An interview with Grandmaster Lee Yoo Sun Totally Tae Kwon Do, 5:9–15.
22. Lee, K.-M. (2000): Taekwondo on the world stage Koreana: A quarterly on Korean art and culture, 14(4):20–23. Retrieved on 18 January 2010.
23. Fumarola, M. (c. 1998): Taekwondo Magazine: Il Taekwondo in Italia (Italian). Retrieved on 18 January 2010.
24. Kang, S.-W. (2009): Choue re-elected as WTF head The Korea Times (14 October 2009). Retrieved on 20 May 2010.
25. Grandmaster Shin. Retrieved on 25 August 2013.
26. Choi, H. H. (1993): Taekwon-Do: The Korean art of self-defence, 3rd ed. (Vol. 1, p. 122). Mississauga: International Taekwon-Do Federation.
27. Biography GM 9th degree Black Belt ITF: .
28. Organization chart of the Italian Taekwondo Federation F.I.TAE.: .
29. ITF Taekwon-Do: Grandmaster Choi Jung Hwa Retrieved on 17 November 2016
30. Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do: Grandmaster Choi Jung Hwa Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
31. Chait, L. (2008): President Choi Jung Hwa (9 January 2008). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
32. BBC News: N Korea 'hired taekwondo killers' (9 September 2008). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
33. Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
34. Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
35. Gavan Reilly. "72-year-old Dubliner promoted to Taekwon-do grandmaster". TheJournal.ie.
36. "Irishman in Taekwon-do hall of fame". The Irish Times. 20 September 2011.
37. Duc Dang Martial Arts: Grandmaster Dang Huy Duc Retrieved on 2 August 2011.
38. Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do: IX Black Belt Directory Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
39. Anslow, S. (2010): Totally TKD Q & A Totally Tae Kwon Do, 11:13–14.
40. Taekwon-Do Center: Grandmaster Van Binh Nguyen, IXth Degree Retrieved on 5 March 2010.
41. Van Binh Self Defense Academy: History Retrieved on 5 March 2010.
42. International Taekwon-Do Federation USA: Board of Directors Retrieved on 5 March 2010.
43. World Black Belt: Charles Sereff (c. 2005). Retrieved on 22 April 2009.
44. United States Taekwon-Do Federation: Organization Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
45. Nowling, D. G. (2008): Hwang, Kwang-Sung (2 June 2008). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
46. Loboda, T., & Jedut, J. (2004): Interview with ITF Vice-President Senior Master Pablo Trajtenberg (24 October 2004). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
47. Kingdom Schools of Taekwon-Do: Adrian O'Mahoney (c. 2009). Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
48. International Taekwon-Do Federation: Board of Directors (c. 2009). Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
49. International Taekwon-Do Federation: Grand Master Tran update (31 January 2010). Retrieved on 19 February 2010.
50. United International Taekwon-Do Federation: Grandmaster Hwang, Kwang Sung (c. 2005). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.