First Western GrandMaster

[Fluffy]

I think your reference is to GM Chuck Serriff (sp?) being with the ITF. He's been their highest ranking American for a long time. GM Sell is WTF certified. As for Chuck Norris, I've never heard of him being involved with either organization.

Gosh, its hard to tell the players without a scorecard.

ITF/USTF GM is 9th Dan so technically GM Seriff did not make GM till 9th even though he made his 8th in the 80's (I believe)

 

[Hand Sword]

I read In Chuck's Book that he studied Tang Soo Do not Tae Kwon do. Is this just different terminology for the same thing?

 

[IcemanSK]

I read In Chuck's Book that he studied Tang Soo Do not Tae Kwon do. Is this just different terminology for the same thing?

Nope, they are two different arts. Close, but not the same. Just ask Karatekid1975

 

[phlaw]

Chuck Norris hold belts in Tang Soo Do and tae Kwon Do.

 

[Fluffy]

Chuck Norris hold belts in Tang Soo Do and tae Kwon Do.

True; but he'll always be a TSD guy first.

 

[Marginal]

Didn't the ITF award Norris an honorary 8th dan a while back? If that's the one, it's not a GM's ranking.

 

[mystic warrior]

The 9th Dan test was taken at the Kukkiwon on Sept. 11, 2001, and is an official Kukkiwon Dan rank, but these ranks are also recognized and certified through the W.T.F. [/quote]

The WTF only recognizes Kukkiwon ranks. So if there is a World Championship or Olympics, the WTF requires the competitors to be certified by the Kukkiwon. Kwan or school certificates and Kinko's certificates are not sufficient.

The WTF no longer issues rank certificates or master instructor certificates. I think it stopped in 1975 but would have to check on that.


[/quote]From what I am told, the K.T.A. only certifies ranks for citizens of Korea. To receive international recognition of your rank, you need the W.T.F. connection to the Kukkiwon (that's why the W.T.F. was created along with organizing sports - it's everyone else's link to the Kukkiwon. The Kukkiwon is a builiding, of course (the world headquarters), and the Dan certificates are certified by the W.T.F. through the Kukkiwon's authority.[/quote]

The KTA no longer certifies rank either though a few years ago there was a guy in Florida who was selling KTA rank. Long time practitioners (like GM Sell and my instructor) received KTA dan rank certificates and instructor certificates, but that was during the 60's. Non-Koreans had to be in Korea for at least 6 months, and that is how US Military personnel were ranked by the KTA.

Korean citizens test for and receive Kukkiwon rank, often at the Kukkiwon.

Sorry Mystic Warrior, I was only looking at the 8th dans of the individuals as that is the rank the Chuck Norris article mentioned.

Miles[/quote]
thats all good no biggie

 

[Fluffy]

Didn't the ITF award Norris an honorary 8th dan a while back? If that's the one, it's not a GM's ranking.

No, ITF 8th Dan is not a GM rank. But I wonder how many "honorary" ranks he has been given? I'm sure some have the title of GM.

 

[IcemanSK]

I think Mr. Norris had more desire to be "on his own" than he did being associated with ranking organizations.