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Carrying the Olympic Torch


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Grandmaster Yoon was born in Korea. At the age of 7,
he was a very small child and often bullied by other children because of
his size. So his father knowing he would need to build up his body and
find the inner ability to protect himself, decided that he would learn
Tae Kwon Do. He not only learned how to stand up for himself, he learned
how to teach others, respect, courtesy, kindness and the grace of the
art of Tae Kwon Do. After graduating high school he went into the Korean
Army, as a Special Course Trainer for Tae Kwon Do. Later he would travel
to Vietnam to train their military. Returning to Korea for one year,
after which he came to America where he opened several schools in PA, WV
and NC. He has given over 1500 black belts to students.
Grandmaster Joe Fox is Master Yoon’s highest ranking student. He has
this to say about Grandmaster Yoon. “Although I was a young black belt
when I came to train with Grandmaster Yoon, he taught me inspiration
discipline and conditioning of the mind, body and spirit. I assisted
Grand Master Yoon in running a studio in Durham NC, and although times
were lean and difficult he always managed to laugh and bring a positive
attitude. Over the years it is that indomitable spirit that has been
with Grand Master Yoon and a spirit that he passes down to his
students of which there have been over 10,000.”
In 1988 Grand master Yoon carried the Olympic Torch. This was a first in
many ways. It was the first time that someone in a Tae Kwon Do uniform
carried the torch and it was the first time that the Olympics recognized
Tae Kwon Do. To take the torch and carry it for two countries
representing Tae Kwon Do as a future Olympic sport that is a way of life
for Grand Master Yoon was an honor that will be talked about for many
years to come. A man’s heart and soul shine forth in the grace and
courage of mastering a skill, and in mastering the skills and styles of
Tae Kwon Do, Grandmaster Yoon would find himself holding many positions.
President – Alabama State Tae Kwon Do Association
Former President – World International Referee Association
Former Vice Chairman – National Training Committee of Tae Kwon Doe US
Olympic Center.
1988 – Selected to the US Olympic delegation and carried the torch at
the 24th Olympiad in Seoul. (This was the first time in the history of
the Olympiad that anyone wore a Tae Kwon Do uniform while carrying the
torch)
1989 – 1993 – US Olympic Festival Official Staff
1992 – US Olympic Team Trial Head of Judges at the US Olympic center.
1993 – The World Championship Head of Judges at Madison Square Garden in
New York City.
1995 – US Head of Team in Osaka Japan in the International Games.
International Referee of the Year 1998 There are many more accomplishments in National and International
Levels.
Many years serving as the Alabama State Sport Festival Tae Kwon Do
Commissioner and Tournament Director
Inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of
Fame.2006
Voted Tae Kwon Do Grand Master of the year for
2006 by his peers.
Proclaimed Grand Master Yoon Day 4/29 by the
City of Mobile
Numerous awards form the Korean Government,
the IOC, the state of Alabama and Georgia, and the City of
Mobile
Appointed Honorary Deputy Sheriff.
Raising awareness and funds for Muscular
Dystrophy, March of Dimes, and The Women's and Children's
hospital of Mobile, and still continues to contribute.
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