For my students, I hope you know who I am. For those of you that might be reading this that don't train with me, let me introduce myself. I'm a Kukkiwon certified 6th degree black belt (Dan) and have been studying Taekwondo for over twenty years. MY master is Grandmaster (GM) Moo Yong Lee (http://www.mooyonglee.com/). I have to admit that the universe brought me to GM Lee.
I started my martial art journey my senior year of high school. My then girlfriend, now wife's father was a 1st Degree black belt and my first instructor. He had earned his black belt in 1971 while in Vietnam. He was "old school". Deep, powerful stances, knuckle push ups (on the asphalt in the driveway), and the "one strike-one kill" mentality when it came to punches and kicks. After several months of bugging him to train us, he agreed. We loved the training, and I think he enjoyed the teaching.
My freshman year I joined the Karate Club at college. Not Taekwondo, but a hybrid of many styles. It wasn't what I was used to, or frankly what I was looking for, but they were nice. We trained hard, had fun, and got to travel a little bit for tournaments.
My sophomore year, I got a new roommate. When I met this International student that was a few years older than me I was excited. He was Korean! He must know Taekwondo! So I asked him. And I'll never forget his response...."A little." We agreed to meet in the Wrestling room where the Karate Club met to practice together. The events of the next hour would change my life.
Right away, I knew he was different, special. At a level of martial arts higher than anything I had ever experienced. I had a little sparring training under my belt at that point, so feeling confident I invited him to spar with me. It was the beating of my life.
Turns out, he was the 1982 welter weight World Champion from Korea. Cheon Jae Park. This was 1987, so he was still very much in his prime. But this blog is not about CJ Park. I will dedicate one to him later.
What CJ Park did though, was to introduce me to Grand Master Lee. I was in Springfield, Massachusetts, and GM Lee's school, United Tae Kwon Do (sound familiar?) was, and still is, in East Hartford, Connecticut. So, off I went. Driving 30-60 minutes (depending on traffic) south down I-91 South every day to train.
Grandmaster Moo Yong Lee is a Kukkiwon certified 9th degree black belt (Dan) and Moo Duk Kwan Dan Number 62, which allows him to trace his heritage directly back to the founder of Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo. Moo Duk Kwan (the original Korean Martial Arts Academy) was founded in 1945 in Korea.
Korea was occupied by the Japanese during WWII. During this period, many native Korean activities and traditions including martial arts, were forbidden. But after the occupation ended in 1945 native arts, traditions and activities began to re-appear.
Over the next two decades, 5 main schools developed in Seoul. One of these, known as Moo Duk Kwon, was founded by Hwang Ki. Moo Duk Kwon translated literally means, "the institute of martial virtue". One of Hwang Ki's original students was GM Moo Yong Lee. DAN number 62 means that he was the 62nd person to receive a black belt from Hwang Ki.
GM Lee came to the USA in the early 1970's and opened United Taekwondo. Over the years, that school has produced countless black belts, instructors, Masters, and champions. In addition to teaching classes, GM Lee was involved in the national and international development of Taekwondo. He served in several leadership positions including Connecticut State President, President of the US Taekwondo Union, USTU (now known as USA Taekwondo), and was involved in the US Olympic Committee.
But what makes GM Lee special is not what positions he has held, but what he does when he's on the mat. Firm, fierce, demanding, caring, funny. Every time I count I hear his counting in my head. Every time I demonstrate a technique, I see him doing it in my head. Pure perfection in movement and motion.
GM Lee has a way of engaging a class of students. It doesn't matter if the student is a 7 year old white belt, or a 43 year old Master. Drawing them in, making them feel comfortable, welcome, accepted, at ease. Using this, he starts to work them. Pushing them, stressing them, challenging them, frustrating them. Pushing them past what they thought they could be at that moment, and in their lives.
His lessons are subtle. A comment. A look. A suggestion. An open-ended question.
We are very lucky to have GM Lee in our family tree, and even luckier that he visits occasionally when his schedule allows for black belt testing. The next time he's here in Atlanta I encourage you to meet him. Engage him. Learn from him.
Be knowledgeable and proud of your Taekwondo heritage. Few share this lineage with you.
Until next time, train hard!
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