Mike Morningstar
June 21, 2002
1994 Trip with General Choi
I had the fortunate opportunity to travel with General Choi a few times. I went with General Choi to Vienna and
assisted him giving seminars in Sweeden Czech Republic and Japan.
My most memorable was on the way to Sweden and Czech for 2 weeks. It was October 1994 and I was a 3rd dan. I was
going to be testing in November at General Choi's seminar in the Laurentien Mountains.
Once on the plane General Choi asked me how long I have been a 3rd dan. I told him that I was going to be testing
under him the following month in Montreal. General Choi said "your test starts now". Talk about being
nervous.
I tried even harder to be the best student on the trip, not making any mistakes. At one point General Choi said
to me "do not take your eyes off of my briefcase. I am writing my biography and I keep it in this case. If
I loose the case, I loose all my work".
We arrived in Vienna and I stayed at the Berger Hotel (those of you who have been to Vienna for Taekwon-Do know
this hotel well). I remember being in my room (General Choi stayed at the ITF office) and not believing that I
was here, In Europe, with the Founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi.
The Seminar in Czech went well and I was even allowed to conduct the warm up. I even sat at the testing table with
General Choi during the promotion of the Czech Taekwon-Do President to 4th dan. What an honour. General Choi was
telling me what things to look for during testing and even asking me questions as to what I noticed was write or
wrong with a particular movement. I got to sit in on an interview with a martial art magazine there as General
Choi explained his idea for the IMGC. All went great in Czech.
From there we drove back to Vienna and stayed a night. We had a big dinner feast upstairs at ITF HQ (the first
of a few).
We proceeded to Malmo Sweden to meet with Master Yeo Chin Huat. Master Yeo was organizing the Instructor course
there. The three of us had dinner at a Japanese restaurant and had a few cups of sake. The next day was the seminar.
That night I remembered that General Choi likes to get up at 7:00am for exercise and breakfast so I set my watch
alarm for 6:55am so I would be awake before General Choi. At 6:54am I thought I heard some movement in the room
but I was still half asleep. Suddenly, I hear the blinds go flying up and light blaring in my eyes. I fly out of
bed only to see General Choi standing by the window, already awake. Here I am in attention stance, half awake with
a major head rush. I say "good morning Sir" and bow as General Choi casually walks by me to the washroom
and says good morning. I collapse back to the bed.
I remember thinking that was strange. The next day I thought I will be a little ahead of the game and set my alarm
for 6:50. Low and behold, General Choi did it again to me, 1 minute early. I couldn't figure it out.
We got home safe and in November I tested for my 4th dan.
That is my most favourite personal memory of General Choi Hong Hi, the Founder of Taekwon-Do!
Taekwon
Mike Morningstar
THE FOUNDER: Favourite Moments with the General
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