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THE FOUNDER
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General Choi Hong Hi
November 09, 1918 to June 15, 2002

The Founder of Taekwon-Do passed away at 8:35 pm on the 15th of June in Pyongyang, DPR Korea. He worked tirelessly towards the furthering of his beloved Taekwon-Do throughout the world and tributes to his memory poured into the site from everywhere. They were later collected and bound for presentation to the Choi family at the memorial service in Canada. Some of the bulletin board participants from our ITF-Information site posted stories and anecdotes—these can be found in the information section under "Favourite Moments with the General."

 
The Ode To General Choi
Download MP3 4765 KB

Lyrics and music written and performed by Mr. Scott Downey, VI Dan
President of ITF Newfoundland, Canada

General Choi, General Choi
created TaeKwon-Do for all to enjoy.
He studied Karate, he studied TaeKyon
from a calligrapher known as Master Ill Dong

He was sent to the US in June 1949
for military training, had to leave his wife behind.
He returned to Korea, to fight in the war,
and the "fist division" insignia he wore.

Chorus:
Thank you General Choi, Thank you General Choi,
for creating TaeKwon-Do for all to enjoy.
Regardless of religion, nationality, or race,
you've given TaeKwon-Do to the entire human race.

He trained all his soldiers in the art of Tang Soo,
but the techniques were different, so that name would not do.
So he created a committee, to name his new Martial Art,
of which prominent citizens would be a part.

And on April 11th, 1955,
the name "TaeKwon-Do" was given its life.
The name was submitted, by General Choi
'cause the name resembled "TaeKyon" that he learned as a boy.

Chorus

"Tae" means to kick, "Kwon" means to punch,
"Do" is the art that we all love so much.
Based on scientific movement and Asian philosophy,
General Choi leaves the world his "Legacy".

And through the International TaeKwon-Do Federation,
"True" TaeKwon-Do was spread to every nation.
And although he had many enemies along the way,
the "little giant" General perseveres to this day.

Chorus (twice)

Copyright © 2000 Scott Downey, All rights reserved
The Ode to General Choi is reproduced with permission of Scott Downey
 
 
 

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