List of taekwondo grandmasters

List of everyone who has achieved the highest level in taekwondo

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

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

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

## Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters)

[edit]

This list includes persons who:

1. are ranked at least 9th -10th depending school dan by Kukkiwon (the highest rank normally awarded to living persons within that system);
2. are notable as individuals; and
3. are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.

Name  | Rank  | Life  | Residence  | Prominence  | References

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Hong Sung-chon | 9th dan | 1945–  | Philippines  | Kukkiwon Chairman of the Board (2016–). CEO and Chief Instructor of the Philippine Taekwondo Association (1975–)  | [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
Choi, Tae-hong | 9th dan | 1935–2009  | United States of America  | Founded first taekwondo school in Oregon, United States; former vice-president of the United States Taekwondo Union  | See main article
Chung, Sun-hwan | 9th dan | 1940–  | United States of America  | Founder of Moo Sool Do and President of World Academy of Martial Arts Association. Korean National Champion (1963–1965). Kukkiwon Advisory Council (2008). Hall of Fame - U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society. Former President, U.S.T.U. Michigan Tae Kwon Do Association.  | [2][3][4]
Kim, Ki-whang | 10th dan | 1920–1993  | United States of America  | Promoted to 9th dan by the KTA, Chairman of the US Olympic Taekwondo team 1988, awarded 10th dan while in hospital with cancer in 1993. Inducted into Taekwondo Hall of Fame 2009\.  | See main article
Samer Kamal | 9th dan | 1966–  | Canada  | President of the Arab Canadian Sports Association, 1988 Seoul Olympics medalist, 1st Class International referee since 1999, 1st Class Kukkiwon Examiner, the President of Champions Martial Arts Taekwondo in Canada and Jordan  | www.SamerKamal.info
Sell, Edward B | 10th dan | 1942–2014  | United States of America  | Highest ranked non-Asian Taekwondo black belt in the world. Only non-Korean honored at the Taekwondo Park in Seoul, Korea. Founder of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association.  | [5][6]
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
Park, Young-Ghil  | 10th dan | 1941– 2024  | Italy  | One of Founders of Italian Taekwondo (three Park Brothers - Sun-jae Park, Young-Ghil Park, Chung-un Park); Honorary President of FITA - Italian Taekwondo Federation 2016 - 2024; Technical Director of WTF Poomsae Committee 2018  | [7][8][9][10]
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.  | [11][12][13]
Cho, Byung-kon  | 9th dan | 1947–  | United States of America  | Student of Grand Master Pong-ki Kim and Grand Master Kop-soo Kwon

* Kukkiwon #05000166 - Issued: 2001-09-08
* Founder: Wisconsin Governors Cup
* Founder: Virginia Governors Cup
* Author: Korean Culture, Tourism and Language
* Author: Star Taekwon-Do Master's Course
* Author: Martial Arts Dynamic Marketing and Management Seminar
* Author: International Discipline in the Martial Arts Seminar
* Author: A Health Revolution
* Secretary General for Korean-American Foundation (KAF)
* Past President of the Virginia State Tae Kwon Do Association
* Former Secretary General for US Taekwondo Martial Arts Commission
* Former Flexibility Consultant for Green Bay Packers

| [14][15]

TaeKwonDo Times Magazine Issue March 1991

Sell, Brenda Jean (Brenda Sell)  | 9th dan | January 1955–  | Lakeland, Florida (USA)  |

* Kukkiwon Certificate number: 05001899
* first female to be awarded the World Taekwondo Federation certification for international level referee credentials
* Highest ranked non-Asian Kukkiwon female in the world
* President of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association

| See Wikipedia page for all sources
Wyllie, Gregory  | 9th dan | c. 1955 –  | Sydney, New South Wales (Australia)  | Introduced Taekwondo into the New South Wales school system, initiated the All Schools tournament which has been a great success. Runs the Wyllie Strike Taekwondo academy, which includes his sons Steve and Chris. He is the highest ranked orator in Australia and became a ninth dan in April 2016.[16]

## International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITFs)

[edit]

This list includes persons who:

1. are ranked 9th dan by the ITF (and thus officially recognised as 'Grand Masters' within that system);[17]
2. are notable as individuals; and
3. are notable for their contribution to taekwondo.

Name  | Rank  | Life  | Residence  | Prominence  | References

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Kim, Jong-Chan | 9th dan | 1936-  | Canada  | Grandmaster Jong Chan Kim (JC Kim) was born in 1936. |
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 in 1955; Founder of International Taekwon-Do Federation-ITF in 1966, inaugural president of the KTA; 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  | [18][19][20][21]
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 | [22][23][24][25]
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
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
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  | [26][27][28]
Park, Jong-soo | 9th dan | 1941–2021  | Canada  | One of the KTA's 12 original masters  | See main article
Rhee, Ki-ha | 9th dan | 1938–  | United Kingdom  | Father of British and Irish taekwondo; one of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; one of the KTA's 12 original masters  | See main article

Sereff, Charles | 9th dan | 1933–2022  | United States of America  | One of the few promoted to 9th dan by H. H. Choi; founded the United States Taekwon-Do Federation  | [29][30][31]
Trajtenberg, Pablo | 9th dan | c. 1955–2022  | Argentina  | President of one of the three ITF organisations after T. Q. Tran's death in 2010  | [32][33][34][35]
Tran, Trieu Quan | 9th dan | 1952–2010  | Canada  | President of one of the three ITF organisations from 2003 to 2010  | See main article

## Other taekwondo systems(Traditional, ATA, GTF, Chang-Hon/ITF Style, Others etc)

[edit]

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

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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
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  | [31][36]
Hwang, Jang-lee | 9th dan | 1944–  | Korea  | Hwang took Taekwondo lessons from age 14 and achieved his 7th dan (rank) black belt. In 1965 at age 21, Hwang became a martial arts instructor for the Korean and South Vietnamese Armies, specializing in taekwondo. In January 2003, Hwang received his 9th dan black belt in taekwondo. In addition, he currently holds a 9th dan rank with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation. Hwang still actively teaches martial arts. He is currently an instructor with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation and serves as Technical Advisor. He recently has completed a tour of the US and Canada in which he, along with other Korean Grandmasters, promoted the study and practice of traditional martial arts.  | See main article
Kim, Bok man | 11th Dan founder Rank as Founder Of World Chun Kuhn Taekwon-Do Federation-WCTF.

10th Dan in Traditional Taekwon-Do, Founding Member of ITF

| c. 1934–2021  | USA  | Kim Bok-man (Korean: 김복만; Hanja: 金福萬,[1] (3 December 1934 – 14 August 2021), Father of South East Asia Taekwon-Do was an early pioneer of taekwondo in the 1950s and 1960s in South East Asia, particularly Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak and Hong Kong. He started martial arts training in the Korean art of taekyun in 1941 at the age of 7. While he was a Sergeant Major in the South Korean army, he was called to Malaysia by General Choi Hong-hi Korea's ambassador, Founder of Taekwon-Do, to teach taekwondo in Malaysia and subsequently to develop taekwondo, particularly some of the forms created by General Choi, and another martial art called Chun Kuhn taekwondo.  | See main article
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
Lee, Haeng-ung | 10th dan | 20 July 1936 – 5 October 2000  | United States of America  | Founded American Taekwondo Association; first grandmaster of the ATA; author of The Way of Traditional Taekwondo | [37]
Park, Jung-tae | 9th dan | c. 1943–2002  | Canada  | One of the KTA's 12 original masters  | See main article
Rhee, Chong-chul | 9th dan | c. 1935–2023  | Australia  | Considered as the Father of Australian taekwondo; founded Rhee Taekwon-Do; one of the KTA's 12 original masters  | See main article
Rhee, Jhoon-goo | 10th dan | 1932–2018  | United States of America  | Father of American taekwondo  | [citation needed]
Vega, Orlando | 9th dan International Taekwon-Do Federation  | 1952-  | United States/Puerto Rico  | He began learning Kempo Karate with Sensei Felix Vega from New York. He studied under Sensei Vega for two years.
Yun Dukan | 9th dan | 1942-  | United States of America  | Taekwondo Pioneer and Taekwondo Grandmaster originally from the Moo Duk Kwan. Yun Dukan, with the encouragement of Choi Hong Hi, began instructing Taekwon-Do in the United States of America in 1968.  | See main article

## See also

[edit]

* Original masters of taekwondo

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Chairman of the Board". www.kukkiwon.or.kr. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
2. ^ "140G-17". chungsunhwan.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
3. ^ "Grandmaster Sun Hwan Chung - Hall of Fame Induction". usgrandmasters.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
4. ^ "The Greats of Tae Kwon Do - USA - Grand Master Sun Hwan Chung". lacancha.com.
5. ^ "United States Chung Do Kwan Association". www.USCDKA.com. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
6. ^ "My Story". tkd.GrandmasterEdwardSell.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
7. ^ Hawkins, P. (2004): An interview with Grandmaster Lee Yoo-sun Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Totally Tae Kwon Do, 5:9–15.
8. ^ Lee, K.-M. (2000): Taekwondo on the world stage Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Koreana: A quarterly on Korean art and culture, 14(4):20–23. Retrieved on 18 January 2010.
9. ^ Fumarola, M. (c. 1998): Taekwondo Magazine: Il Taekwondo in Italia Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine (in Italian). Retrieved on 18 January 2010.
10. ^ Kang, S.-W. (2009): Choue re-elected as WTF head The Korea Times (14 October 2009). Retrieved on 20 May 2010.
11. ^ Grandmaster H. K. Lee Tae Kwon Do: Grandmaster H. K. Lee Archived 9 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine (c. 2004). Retrieved on 1 June 2009.
12. ^ Richmond Sunlight: House Resolution no. 503 Archived 7 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine (Virginia General Assembly, 10 May 2006). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
13. ^ DiCicco, M. (2009): Following Tae Kwon Do to its origins: Members of area studio return from expo in Korea with medals, memories, fighting skills[permanent dead link] Connection Newspapers (26 August 2009). Retrieved on 20 March 2010.
14. ^ "Supreme Master Byung Kon Cho". Cho's Black Belt Academy Inc. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
15. ^ "Totally Tae Kwon Do Magazine". www.RaynersLaneTKD.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
16. ^ "Willoughby's taekwondo master". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
17. ^ Choi, H. H. (1993): Taekwon-Do: The Korean art of self-defence, 3rd ed. (Vol. 1, p. 122). Mississauga: International Taekwon-Do Federation.
18. ^ ITF Taekwon-Do: Grandmaster Choi Jung-hwa Archived 26 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 17 November 2016
19. ^ Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do: Grandmaster Choi Jung-hwa[usurped] Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
20. ^ Chait, L. (2008): President Choi Jung-hwa Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine (9 January 2008). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
21. ^ BBC News: N Korea 'hired taekwondo killers' Archived 28 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine (9 September 2008). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
22. ^ [1] Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
23. ^ [2] Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
24. ^ Gavan Reilly (21 September 2011). "72-year-old Dubliner promoted to Taekwon-do grandmaster". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
25. ^ "Irishman in Taekwon-do hall of fame". The Irish Times. 20 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
26. ^ Taekwon-Do Center: Grandmaster Van Binh Nguyen, IXth Degree Archived 17 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 5 March 2010.
27. ^ Van Binh Self Defense Academy: History Archived 7 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 5 March 2010.
28. ^ International Taekwon-Do Federation USA: Board of Directors Archived 9 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 5 March 2010.
29. ^ World Black Belt: Charles Sereff Archived 3 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine (c. 2005). Retrieved on 22 April 2009.
30. ^ United States Taekwon-Do Federation: Organization Archived 25 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
31. ^ a b Nowling, D. G. (2008): Hwang, Kwang-Sung Archived 17 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine (2 June 2008). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
32. ^ Loboda, T., & Jedut, J. (2004): Interview with ITF Vice-President Senior Master Pablo Trajtenberg Archived 7 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine (24 October 2004). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
33. ^ Kingdom Schools of Taekwon-Do: Adrian O'Mahoney Archived 19 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine (c. 2009). Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
34. ^ International Taekwon-Do Federation: Board of Directors Archived 26 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine (c. 2009). Retrieved on 23 February 2010.
35. ^ International Taekwon-Do Federation: Grand Master Tran update Archived 11 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine (31 January 2010). Retrieved on 19 February 2010.
36. ^ United International Taekwon-Do Federation: Grandmaster Hwang, Kwang-sung Archived 11 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine (c. 2005). Retrieved on 24 February 2010.
37. ^ "American Taekwondo Association | Martial Arts, Karate, Tae Kwon do, Tae-Kwon-Do". Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.