Grandmaster Hee Il Cho
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BLACK BELT TESTING
WASHINGTON, D.C. USA
JULY 11TH 2010
Mr. Michael Fitzgerald
6th Degree Black Belt Thesis
Washington D.C. Testing – July 2010
I have had the good fortune to have practiced Tae Kwon Do for the past twenty five years. I started late in life in my twenties. My sisters were training and loving it.
I realised quickly that I had found something physically and intellectually challenging. I trained hard over the years and progressed to both first and second degree testings with my friend Master Peter Byrne.
In those days we thought of Tae Kwon Do mostly in a sporting context. We were never taught of the importance of discipline and respect for other fellow martial artists. Changes were proposed in the Association and a group of black belts, including myself and Master Byrne decided that we wanted to stay loyal to Grandmaster Cho.
This was the best decision I ever made. A.I.M.A.A was officially established in Ireland under the careful guidance of Master Darcy. From this point forward I began to understand what it meant to strive towards becoming a better person in all my roles in life.
Tae Kwon do has taught me so much in life. It has taught me patience, respect for others, determination, tolerance for other s and the importance of positivity in all areas of our lives. These core concepts have helped me in my working, family and wider social life.
I have taught many students in my school over the years. Teaching others and passing on Tae Kwon Do to younger generations’ remains a priority for me. It is a pleasure to get a student who has natural ability and to watch them develop. But it is the student who isn’t naturally brilliant, who struggles to become flexible and has to work hard to learn their elements that I love to see progress in Tae Kwon Do. These students show real indomitable spirit. These students learn how to work hard towards their goals. These students overcome their inhibitions and learn to achieve in Tae Kwon Do. This in turn helps them to achieve in other areas such as education and careers. Parents often tell me that their son or daughter has blossomed since they started training in Tae Kwon Do.
I have found many excellent role models in A.I.M.A.A. Master Peter Byrne, whom I have known throughout my training years. We have always made a good team. I met Master John Darcy in 1996 and have both enjoyed his company and his excellent training sessions. He has shown great leadership qualities through his dedication and loyalty to A.I.M.A.A and Grandmaster Cho. I look forward to training with him in Dublin every Monday night where he has given me great encouragement, instruction and advice. I am proud to call him a genuine friend.
Master John Kirkwood from Scotland has been to Master Darcy’s school in Dublin more than most Irish Instructors. He is a true gentleman and an excellent instructor. I have been to Scotland many times through my other pastime, playing bagpipes and I travelled over to Grandmaster Cho’s seminar there in 2009 where I found everyone to be very friendly and hospitable.
I met Master Philip Ameris for the first time on a trip to Los Angeles. Within seconds he had me on the floor with numerous locks and grappling techniques and introduced me to grappling for the first time. I travelled to his school in Pittsburgh to train with him and then realized just how strong, fit and dedicated Master Ameris is to his training and to Grandmaster Cho.
Grandmaster Cho has been an inspiration to me. It is difficult to explain the effect he has had on my life. I have trained in his schools in Los Angeles, Albuquerque and Hawaii and I always find it hard to leave to come home after visiting him. To have dedicated your entire life to furthering Tae Kwon Do is an amazing feat. It takes courage, vision and self belief to channel your energies into living your dream and Grandmaster Cho has pursued his dream. I am proud to be associated with him and the A.I.M.A.A. family.
People often ask me what motivates me to continue training. My reply is that it gives me great satisfaction to teach and I know that I still have a lot to learn.
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