Martial Arts Commission
MAC Meeting Packet for 2009 National Championships & Junior Olympics in Austin, Texas
Deadline is June 10, 2009
MAC Member List (updated 8/26/09)
Martial Arts Commission Timeline
MAC Article in MASuccess Magazine
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USAT Martial Arts Commissioners Inauguration in Conjunction with 2008 Junior Olympics - Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan, July 1-6, 2008
The USAT Martial Arts Commission conducted its third inauguration ceremony for the commissioners of Taekwondo masters in the USA. It was held in conjunction with the 2008 Junior Olympics held in Detroit, Michigan, inside the famous Ford Field from July 1-6, 2008.
There were nearly 3,000 competitors and the competition was exciting, leading to the selection of the USA Taekwondo junior national sparring team and Poomsae team members who will be attending the 3rd World Poomsae Taekwondo Championships to be held in Turkey in December 2008.
In sparring, the USAT utilized the Lajust electronic Hogu scoring system in several rings, and it was well received from most of the competitors, coaches and referees who ran the rings.
Ever since we started the martial arts commission (MAC) in July 2007 at the Junior Olympics in San Jose, California, we have gained more than 200 high-ranking (9-5th dan) martial artists as commissioners, and we also have claimed more than 2,000 members under the umbrella of the USAT.
It is an astonishing accomplishment to recruit so many high-ranking commissioners within a one-year period. It is a sign of the enthusiastic support of the high-ranking Masters and Grand Masters and of the USAT CEO David Askinas and Board of Directors chair Ronda Sweet.
Since July 2007, commission co-chairmen Joon Pyo Choi and Hong Kong Kim worked hard to bring new images for USAT by visiting Korea three times to meet officials of the Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo Federation and other leaders of Taekwondo in Korea.
Many profound leaders of Taekwondo in Korea were told of the significant changes of USAT attained through the establishment of the MAC, including efforts to bring the Korean-American pioneers, elders and seniors back to the organization. That helps enhance the sports side of Taekwondo as well as the martial-arts side, which includes Poomsae development, Dan-rank certification, Dojang management, seminars and international exchange programs.
The most significant results we had from this year's event:
- Kukkiwon is coming to the United States to officiate the rank test of 8th-Dan and 9th-Dan black belts during the US Open 2009, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Also, Kukkiwon agreed to work with USAT to improve administrative processes for Dan-certification.
- Through the visit with the World Taekwondo Federation Secretary General, we also visited Taekwondo Promotion and Development Corp with Secretary General Dong Keun Song, suggesting that we are trying to help to globalize Taekwondo to the world. It is necessary to work with the national governing body of USAT and the MAC to promote Taekwondo as well as the Mooju Taekwondo Theme Park. Song agreed to work with the USAT, the national governing body, through the MAC.
- At the 2008 Junior Olympics in Detroit, MAC offered to USAT instructors and Dojang owners a business seminar led by Master Rick Shin from Oregon and Master Han from Los Angeles, California. The seminar covered how to maximize a school business and how to make it a millionaire school.
Then, we had seminars for Taekwondo aerobics led by Master Dure Chang from Alaska, a Poomsae World Champion and the 2008 Poomsae National champion who will represent the United States in Turkey in December. In addition to Master Chang, Master Chang Hyeon Lim and Master Seung Bong Heo from Miami, Florida, assisted to complete the outstanding Poomsae Seminar.
After that seminar, the MAC conducted the USA Taekwondo Dan-rank certification examination. More than 30 Grand Masters attended to officiate the Dan-rank certification seminar and to establish the most efficient system for determining rank-promotion for the future of USAT.
The Dan rank test process was conducted by Joon Pyo Choi and was successfully completed with an overwhelming appreciation by the applicants and those who were testing along with the Grand Masters on the testing board. The average grade was a B-plus, and the results will be forwarded to Kukkiwon so those who tested can attain Kukkiwon Dan-certification.
On July 4th, the USAT conducted the State Presidents Meeting with newly appointed and elected state presidents. There were more than 80 masters, grand masters, state presidents and officials, and there were many open discussions for the future development of Taekwondo from the state level to the national level. The meeting lasted more than two hours and ended on a positive note by USAT CEO David Askinas, Board of Directors chair Ronda Sweet and MAC co-chairman Joon Pyo Choi, who said it is time to embrace the future and leave the past behind. Everyone felt warm and united, from younger generations to the senior Masters and Grand Masters in their 60s and beyond.
During the opening ceremony on Saturday, July 5th, there were more than 80 commissioners sitting at the main table inside the arena. The induction ceremony passed the torch to 51 newly inducted commissioners.
There was a wonderful demonstration by Taekwondo Poomsae champions, Taekwondo aerobic and traditional Korean military martial artists. There also was a Hapkido self-defense demo ended by the power breaking of Grand Master Kevin Bang from North Carolina, who broke over 10 bricks on the table without supports. It was a fantastic finale.
In conclusion, USAT CEO David Askinas, Board of Directors chair Ronda Sweet and the martial arts commissioners are committed to restoring the membership and programs of Taekwondo in the United States to the highest levels that there ever have been by recruiting 1,000 commissioners and registering at least 35 members to the USAT for each of their schools thereby securing more than 35,000 new USAT members. By doing that, we should have more than 5,000 competitors in the Junior Olympics and the Senior Nationals and will be able to offer the programs necessary to help all the Taekwondo practitioners in the United States.
Reported by Joon P. Choi / Hong Kong Kim, co-chairman
USAT Martial Arts Commission (MAC)
USAT Martial Arts Commission Visits Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
June 17, 2008
California TMAC Inauguration Ceremony
April 29, 2008
Congratulations to all Martial Arts Commissioners from California. California USAT Martial Arts Commission completed its inauguration ceremony with a great success. Thanks to Commissioner Hong Lae Kim and all organizers and supporters. Best of luck for USAT - CAMAC. GM Choi Hong Kong Kim, Co-chairman USATMAC
USAT Martial Arts Commission Formed
November 30, 2007
The fundamental purpose of the USA Taekwondo Martial Arts Commission is to assist and advise the CEO/Secretary General of USA Taekwondo in a variety of matters including: restoration of traditional Taekwondo values to promote human development through education, training, application, and teaching; preservation of the history of Taekwondo in the USA (including recognition of Taekwondo pioneers); renewal of memberships of and benefits to those excluded from the NGB by previous administrations; and, support for the CEO/Secretary General to further the US Olympic movement.
Furthering its initiative to restore martial arts traditions and values to the practice of Taekwondo, the USA Taekwondo Martial Arts Commission took a giant step forward by conducting its inaugural meeting in conjunction with the USA Taekwondo Junior Olympics and Senior Nationals in San Jose, California from July 9 - 11, 2007. The highlight of the meeting was the induction of more than 50 grandmasters and select masters and instructors as founding members, and the presentation of special awards from the World Taekwondo Federation and Kukkiwon to practitioners who have distinguished themselves with their contributions to Taekwondo in USA.
"This is a special day," said Commission co-chair Senior Grandmaster Joon P. Choi. "Previous leadership lost sight of Taekwondo as a holistic discipline for human development. Now we are back on track." Choi and co-chair Senior Grandmaster Hong Kong Kim are the driving force behind the creation of the Commission. "We worked very hard for this moment," said Kim. "We are grateful to USAT CEO/Secretary General David Askinas for his recognition of the importance of what the Commission will restore to Taekwondo. The true substance of Taekwondo study will now be preserved for the benefit of our entire society."
