General Choi Hong Hi
The story about the International Taekwon-Do Federation, ITF, cannot be told without telling the story avout the person who founded Taekwon-Do - General Choi Hong Hi. It's thanks to his tireless efforts and devotion that Taekwon-Do is what it is today.
General Choi Hong Hi was born 9th of November, 1928 in Hwa Dae, Myong Chun in North Korea. In his youth he was always weak and sick, which constantly concerned his parents. Even this he showed a strong spirit. At the age of twelve he was suspended from his school due to his attitude towards the japanese leaders, who controlled Korea (1910-45). This was the beginning of what would become a long connection to the Kwang Ju student's independent movement.
After his suspension from the school, young Choi was sent away by his father to study stenography below one of the most famous teachers in Korea, Mr. Han Il Dong. His skill in stenography was followed by his success as master of Tay Kyon, the ancient korean art of foot-fighting. The teacher was worried of his new student's health condition and started helping building his strength and stamina. 1937 Choi was sent to Kyoto, Japan, to continue his education. In Kyoto, Choi met a korean, Mr. Kim, who taught, the japanese martial art, Karate. After two years of hard practice he earned his first black belt in Karate. Tay Kyon, mixed with Karate, was the beginning of the todays Taekwon-Do.
During the second World War's beginning, he was forced against his will to join the japanese army. During his service in Pyonggyang, North Korea, he was accused of being the founder of the korean independent student-movement, that was know as Pyongyang - the student's soldiers. He was therefor sent to a japanese jail as a consequence of these suspicions. During his time at jail, Choi started to develop his personal style. As first student, Choi taught his cell-mate, and from this point the whole prison started getting interested. Eventually it became a gigantic training-ground, with the permit of the prison-management.
During the liberation, august of 1945, Choi was released from his seven years sentence as was his cell-mate. They went together to Seoul, where they arranged a convention for soldiers. In january hte following year, he was promoted to the second degree lieutenant in the new korean army, where he conveyed his own style: Taekwon-Do. Choi soon became company-leader in Kwang-Ju, and there the young lieutenant introduced Taekwon-Do for the whole company! Choi was promoted to first degree lieutenant and relocated to Tae Jon. There he was responsible for the second infantry regiment. At his new outpost he started spreading his style - not only to korean soldiers but even to the american soldiers located there. At 1947, Choi was promoted to captain and later to major. During the later parts of 1948 he continued to climb the ranks and became lieutenant-colonel. 1949 he became lieutenant and visited the U.S.A for the first time during an education at Fort Riley Ground General School. 1951 he was promote to brigade general.
At 1953 he brought the 29th infantry divisionto the island Cheju, which later became the leading group within military usage of Taekwon-Do. There was Oh Do Kwan (Gym of my way) established, where he not only teached instructors. He even succeeded in creating a newer combination of Tae Kyon- and Karatetechniques to a more modern way of Taekwon-Do. This was made with help from his partner, Mr. Nam Tae Hi.
1955 Taekwon-Do was officially recognized in Korea. During that year a special committee was founded that educated instructors, historians and other leaders within the society. A number of suggestions for the new martial art was suggested. The 11th of april the committee was called together by General Choi Hong Hi. It was at this point they decided about the name Taekwon-DO. This name reflects all the different names Taek Kyon, Dang Soo, Gong Soo and Kwon Bup.
1959 General Choi Hong hi started spreading Taekwon-Do abroad for the first time. General Choi Hong Hi and 19 blackbelted followers started touring in the far east. The tour was a huge success. The advanced foot- and handtechniques impressed the crowns. 1959 General Choi Hong Hi was assigned to two eminent posts; President for the newly founded Korean Taekwon-Do Federation and deputy for the second army in Tae Gu.
Året därpå, 1960, besökte Gen. Choi Jhoon Rhees karateklubb i San Antonio, där han övertygade eleverna dem att använda namnet Taekwon-Do istället för Karate. Följaktligen blev Jhoon Rhee den första kända Taekwon-Do instruktören i amerika.
During 1960 the martial art spread quickly, not only amongst the population and army of Korea, but also in the rest of the world. This was the beginning of a time that not only spread Taekwon-Do to other countries. It also formed Taekwon-Do to what we see today.
In 1966 the dreams became reality for the stenographer, moreover ambassador and president for the Taekwon-Do organization, that today is one of the biggest martial arts in the world. The 22nd of march the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)was founded with connections in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, USA, Turkey, Italy, Egypt and Korea. The following years ITF Taekwon-Do flourished and kept developing and Gen. Choi Hong Hi was constantly travelling world wide. The arts of Taekwon-Do kept spreading...
In 1972 Gen. Choi Hong Hi moved the headquarters of the International Taekwon-Do Federation from Korea to Toronto, Canada, with only one purpose - spreading Taekwon-Do world wide. At 1985 Gen. Choi Hong Hi moved the HQ to Vienna, where it still is located.
Through his whole life, Gen. Choi Hong Hi's greatest wish has been to spread Taekwon-Do, to all people, despite race, skin-color or politicial opinions. The whole story can be found in the book "Taekwon-Do".
General Choi Hong Hi quotes:
"Everything is controlled by the law; Yin and Yang, good and evil... Joy can often come from catastrophic events. My life has been turbulent with sometimes sad, lonely battles and unfortunate adventures that few would envy. A life in exile, thousands of miles from my beloved homeland. Despite all this, it's been educational and giving.
It is one of the ironies in nature that beautiful plants such as orchids or tulips needs care to be able to keep living but plants such as weeds doesn't need any care at all to live. Some simple weeds can sometimes be confused with wheat and rice due to their resemblance - this can fool us to believe that it is the real plant that continues to live. I can't do anything about this; the false image of Taekwon-Do, that haven't got anything to do with the original one. The only thing this style has in common with the original is the name.
I comfort myself with this thought: Like a false diamond can't cut through glass, Taekwon-Do is deceived in a appearance without substance and like a summer-rain that dries out from the earth or like a hurricane quickly passing by, false Taekwon-Do practicians can't endure forever. Their existence is based upon the strength of political influence and totally lack fundamental philosophy or technique based upon logic.
My dream has finally come true... Dreams of spreading and teaching Taekwon-Do without any influence of religion, ideology, national borders or race. I can say - without doubt - that I am the happiest man on earth! It is my highest wish that Taekwon-Do keeps its original concept and principals. It is also one of my wishes that Taekwon-Do is practiced to get a healthier and stronger body, and that the practicer shall become as mentally strong as possible. This will help in an important evolution of people many generations ahead."