The Greats of Tae Kwon Do
GM Young II Kong

GM  Young II Kong breaking boards with a reverse turning kick at the Pan Am Tae Kwon-Do Championship in 1974
(Photo Courtesy Photo Courtesy of Doris Hearrington, Young Brothers TKD)


GM  Young II Kong in Korea


ABOUT GM YOUNG II KONG - 9th Dan


A first-generation student of General Choi, Hong Hi, the Father of Taekwon-Do, Grand Master Kong, Young Il's
Taekwon-Do roots are in the Oh Do Kwan in Won Joo, Korea. Today, fifty-four years later, Grand Master Kong,
Young Il teaches the martial art of Taekwon-Do with the same approaches and rigor he learned from the Father of
Taekwon-Do and perfected through continuous practice of the art. Grand Master Kong, Young Il is steadfastly
focused on promoting Taekwon-Do and General Choi's legacy.

GM Kong Young Il lives in Las Vegas with his wife. His sons Andy and Douglas live in Los Angeles.

Here are some highlights from the illustrious career of this Taekwon-Do pioneer:

1952 - At age nine, with a child's curiosity, became a student of Shotakan karate;

1962 - 1967 - Attended the Kyung Hee University Physical Education College became All Star Captain of the
university's Taekwon-Do team;

1963 - 1967 - Served in the Republic of Korea Army, attaining the rank of Sergeant; Served as a Master Instructor
of the Republic of Korea Army with duties to enhance the instruction of other Taekwon-Do instructors; With General
Choi, Grand Master Nam, Tae Hi, and others, co- developed several Taekwon-Do patterns; Became the first Master
Instructor to introduce the 8th U.S. Army in Korea to Taekwon-Do; Named Captain of the competitive Taekwon-Do
All Star Team of the Republic of Korea Army; Became member of the original International Taekwon-Do  Federation;

1973 - 1980 - As member of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Demonstration Team, and in the
company of General Choi, visited more than 127 countries as part of ambassadorship for Taekwon-Do; Immigrated to
the United States upon invitation from an American Soldier who was his student of Taekwon-Do; Founded and
operated numerous dojangs across the United States and Puerto Rico; Served as Master Instructor for the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Pennsylvania;

1994 - Bame the 39th Inductee to the All-American Black Belt Hall of Fame.

1997 - Promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt by General Choi, Hong Hi in Poland.

2003 - Co-founded the International Ch'Ang-Hon Taekwon-Do Federation.

2006 - Assumed the role of President of the World Taekwon-Do Alliance.

2007 - Inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame




BACK TO THE TAEKWONDO HALL OF FAME

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