General Choi Hong Hi

This relatively modern form of Korean martial art was recognised in 1955 as Taekwon-Do, literally translating as 'hand and foot way'. General Choi Hong Hi was not only responsible for suggesting the name, but he has been a major influence in the worldwide popularity of the martial art and is often referred to as the 'father of Taekwon-Do'.

Born in 1918, Choi was a frail child with a strong spirit. When he was twelve he was sent to study calligraphy under the famous Mr Han Il Dong, who was also a master of Taek Kyon (the ancient art of foot fighting). During his teenage years, Han taught him the rigorous exercises of Taek Kyon to help strengthen his body. After leaving Korea in 1937 to continue his education in Japan, he met with a fellow Korean who taught Karate. Within two years Choi had reached the level of first degree black belt, and began teaching at a YMCA in Tokyo. World War II saw him imprisoned, but he used the time to practice relentlessly his combined techniques of Taek Kyon and Karate.

Returning to Seoul after the war, Choi was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the new South Korean army. Throughout 1946 Choi took the opportunity of teaching his martial arts techniques to the Korean soldiers under his charge, as well as some of the Americans stationed at his post in Tae Jon. Within two years he was back in Seoul as an instructor to the American Military Police, and he subsequently visited the United States in 1949.

By 1953 Choi had established the Oh Do Kwan (gym of My Way) used for training military instructors and developing his techniques further with Mr Nam Tae Hi into a 'modern' martial arts system. Towards the end of 1954 he was in charge of the largest civilian gym in Korea, Chong Do Kwan (gym of the Blue Wave), and was promoted to major general.

Once formally recognised as a Korean martial art, Taekwon-Do was gradually introduced to the rest of the world. A tour of the Far East was made by Choi and 19 of his top instructors in 1959, and Choi published his first Korean text on Taekwon-Do. But this was only the beginning. Throughout the next three decades, Choi undertook worldwide tours to introduce Taekwon-Do as the national marial art of Korea. His extremely busy schedule included giving demonstrations and teachings, making presentations, compiling books and an encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, and lecturing at prominent universities and international conferences. At the same time he was also instrumental in setting up many national organisations and International Taekwon-Do Federations.

This was a life-long achievement for General Choi Hong Hi, and he would have had much to reflect on by the time of his death in 2002.