| I have been studying Traditional Taekwondo under Grand Master Kwon Jae Hwa since 1999. Master Kwon was chosen at age 29 to join a six man team sent to introduce taekwondo to the Western world. Master Kwon formed the German Taekwondo Federation which has grown to more than 70 schools today. Master Kwon was promoted to 7th dan in 1973 and founded the Taekwondo Center of North America in New York City. He founded the Traditional Taekwondo Federation in 1993. The Chief Instructors/owners at the Charlottesville International Black Belt Center have been James Hamrick, Virginia Hamrick, and John Oliver. | |
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My Taekwondo Story &
Why I Practice TAEKWONDO (.pdf) Includes an account of the impact of my bi-lateral quadriceps tendon tears on my training. A version of this essay appeared in TAEKWON-DO PUR, a German Publication, in March, 2008. This photo is from my black belt test, October 28, 2007, after nine years of training. I was 60 years old. Master Kwon was, I believe, 72 at the time. |
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| My belt history. "K" refers to "kup," a level designation in taekwondo. All new students are 10th Kup. One is a 1st Kup before testing for black, or 1st Dan. Master Kwon's signature appears on my red belt. |  |