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

Grandmasters often share their stories of struggle and success. These stories always motivate me. They show that Taekwondo is more than just fighting. It’s about pushing yourself and never giving up.

Conclusion

Looking at the Taekwondo grandmaster list, it’s clear these people have made a big impact. They’ve worked hard and stayed focused for years. I’ve learned a lot from their stories. Whether you want to become a grandmaster or just get better at Taekwondo, the key is never giving up. Keep learning and practicing, and you can reach your goals too.

FAQs About Taekwondo Grandmaster List

Who is the youngest Taekwondo Grandmaster?

The youngest Taekwondo grandmaster is typically recognized by their ability to achieve a high rank at an early age. Some practitioners reach the 9th dan in their 30s or 40s, though it’s rare. Learn more about notable youngest grandmasters.

What is the highest rank in Taekwondo?

The highest rank in Taekwondo is the 10th dan black belt. Achieving this rank requires decades of dedication, mastery, and contribution to the sport. It is a rare and prestigious title in the taekwondo grandmaster list.

How do I get promoted to 9th dan in Taekwondo?

To be promoted to 9th dan, you must demonstrate mastery of Taekwondo techniques, teach others, and contribute significantly to the community. It takes many years of hard work and commitment.

What is the role of Taekwondo Grandmasters in Olympic Taekwondo?

Taekwondo grandmasters play a vital role in Olympic Taekwondo by shaping the sport, teaching athletes, and setting high standards. Their expertise influences both training and competition at the Olympic level.

What are the most recognized Taekwondo organizations?

The most recognized Taekwondo organizations are World Taekwondo (WT), International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), and various national bodies. These organizations oversee ranking systems and promote global growth.