Significant figures in Taekwondo

[IcemanSK]

I'm not here to start an arguement; but rather an appreciation thread for those who have gone before us. I'm interested in knowing (& learning) about the important figures in Taekwondo (& early Kwan) history. As you reply, pick one person & talk about the contributions that they made. Again, I don't want this to be a "why GM X is more important that GM Y": but only about the contributions GM X made.

 

[stoneheart]

Jhoon Rhee almost singlehandedly popularized Korean martial arts in Texas. He taught TKD at Southwest Texas State University. One of his early students was Allen Steen and Steen also went on to teach. The so-called 'Blood and Guts' era in tournament karate was inaugurated in with no small contribution from these rough and tumble TKD fighters.

Rhee now resides in the DC area and he has created his own set of forms that are taught to students in his federation. He also wrote a popular series of books on the Chang Hon forms. Rhee has been called the 'Father of American Tae Kwon Do' for his contributions in furthering the practice of TKD in the United States.

 

[terryl965]

Also in Texas is GM Won Cik park located in Ft.Worth, he has done more for the tournament aspect of TKD here in the metroplex than any other GM. He host the FT Worth internation was President of The Texas State Association and is the President of The Grand Master Society and past Pres of the FMAT where he is still on the chair for that org. He was a militarry man in Korea and tought people Like GM Roy Kurban who was one of the best fighters in the seventies along with him having a few legitimate 6th and 7th Dan under him that started training with him some 45 years ago.

 

[stoneheart]

Texas seems to have lots of significant Korean arts masters. The Kuk Sool Won founder, In Hyuk Suh, resides in the Houston area as does Kim Soo, the founder of Chayon-Ryu.

GM Kim Soo taught at Rice University for many years and while he is a a proud Korean, he also is very honest about the history of the Korean martial arts, being around during many of the formative events of TKD. GM Kim's Chayon-Ryu preserves various forms he learned including forms from Shudokan karate as well as some Chinese chuan'fa. At one point, Chayon-Ryu was the largest Korean style in the southwest region of the United States.

GM Kim's website has many interesting articles published for those interested in the Korea arts: http://www.kimsookarate.com/

 

[terryl965]

Texas seems to have lots of significant Korean arts masters. The Kuk Sool Won founder, In Hyuk Suh, resides in the Houston area as does Kim Soo, the founder of Chayon-Ryu.

GM Kim Soo taught at Rice University for many years and while he is a a proud Korean, he also is very honest about the history of the Korean martial arts, being around during many of the formative events of TKD. GM Kim's Chayon-Ryu preserves various forms he learned including forms from Shudokan karate as well as some Chinese chuan'fa. At one point, Chayon-Ryu was the largest Korean style in the southwest region of the United States.

GM Kim's website has many interesting articles published for those interested in the Korea arts: http://www.kimsookarate.com/

Yea Master McLain is one of his senior student he is here in Arlington as well. Lets also not forget GM Chang Lee and his chain of school around the DFW area as well.

 

[IcemanSK]

From Wikipedia:

Woon Kyu Um

Woon Kyu Um was the third Chung Do Kwan Kwan Jang, after Lee and Duk Sung Son. He is also the present leader of the Chung Do Kwan, as well as the current President of the Kukkiwon, succeeding longtime President Dr.[citation needed] Un Yong Kim. One of the first Chung Do Kwan black belts, Uhm was a student of Founder Won Kuk Lee. Um's nickname was "Sliding Side Kick God," due to his unmatched ability with that technique. Reportedly, he could kick an opponent from ten feet away using it.
Um helped devise the current rules governing modern Taekwondo free sparring, and is one of the pioneers responsible for the formation of modern Taekwondo. He was also Special Instructor for the South Korean Military. He also played a large part in the formation and development of the World Taekwondo Federation and the Kukkiwon.
As one of Won Kuk Lee's original and first students, Uhm remains a link to the earliest days of Taekwondo. He was also a well known competitor and coach in Taekwondo's early days. As Head of Chung Do Kwan and President of the Kukkiwon, he has spent decades ensuring that Kukkiwon Taekwondo retains the power, etiquette, high technique, manners, and Way that makes it one of the world's pre-eminent martial arts. He is one of the most important Taekwondo person in Korea, and one of the most important in the world today.

I thought this was a really great description of the man.