Grandmaster Hee Il Cho
--A Lifetime of Tae Kwon Do

Grandmaster Hee Il Cho A Living Legend

Grandmaster Hee Il Cho, a true legend in the martial arts community, is one of the most respected martial artist of our time.

Grandmaster Cho has been inducted to every major martial art Hall of Fame and has shared his 50 years of knowledge with thousands of people around the world.

Grandmaster Cho has students journey from all parts of the world to train and study with him. From Ireland to India and all throughout the United States and Canada, martial arts students travel several times each year to enhance their skills as a martial artist. Grandmaster Cho has also instructed some of Hollywood's biggest stars as well as co-starred in several motion pictures himself.

Career Highlights

• 9th Degree Tae Kwon Do Black Belt with over 40 years teaching experience and the leading voice in Tae Kwon Do
• Promoter of over 4,000 black belts and leader of over 100 seminars worldwide
• Featured in the following films: Fight to Win, Best of the Best, Bloodsport II and Bloodsport III
• Champion of over 30 National and International Open Competitions
• Special Forces Instructor for Army units in India and Korea
• Producer of 70 martial arts instructional video tapes and many DVDs
• Black Belt Instructor of the Year
• Black Belt Hall of Fame
• Author of 11 martial arts instructional books
• Contributor to over 70 magazine cover features

Philosophy

"If you teach long enough, you realize that you want to pass along the spirituality,
the belief that the individual can accomplish whatever they want.
It's a lifelong lesson." ~Grandmaster Cho

History

Grandmaster Hee Il Chowas born in Pohang, Korea, on October 13, 1940, during the period of Japanese occupation. He was the eldest of three brothers. He began training in the martial arts when he was around 10 years old. In an interview, he commented on his childhood in Pohang, Korea: "Although they were not really gang members, young people used to roam from town to town and beat up kids and take away their toys. One time, I was beaten up by some boys around 12 or 13 years old. At the time I thought it was pretty bad, so I wanted to protect myself." Cho attained the rank of 1st dan black belt by the age of 13, and had reached 4th dan by the age of 21. In addition to taekwondo, he also trained in boxing for two years.

Biography

For over 60 years, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho has been training and completely devoted his life to the art of Tae Kwon Do. Grandmaster Cho is an example the perfect Tae Kwon Do Master. He has a true and sincere dedication to the martial arts. There is no other martial artist in the world today who has travelled by invitation to as many schools world-wide to speak and teach than Grandmaster Cho. He sacrificed countless hours producing the most extensive training library ever known to the martial arts world. However, Grandmaster Cho remains humble and simple in his manner, continuing to train and personally teach classes daily at his headquarters.
Grandmaster Cho began his training at the age of ten in Korea. His motivation was inspired by being beat-up as a young boy. Continuing diligently and training daily, Grandmaster Cho received his black belt at the age of 13. By 21, he had achieved Fourth Dan black belt and was selected to train the Elite Special Forces of the Korean National Army. Grandmaster Cho was also recruited to train the army special forces of India. In 1968, the United States became Grandmaster Cho’s new home.
Throughout his younger life, Grandmaster Cho actively participated in many competitions and international championships, including martial arts and boxing. He quickly gained a reputation as a fierce fighting and forms competitor. In addition, Grandmaster Cho has personally written 11 books and produced 70 videos. In 1980, he founded the Action International Martial Arts Association, which today has member support internationally.
Grandmaster Cho has developed the reputation of being one of the leading practitioners and innovators in the martial arts community—sharing his experiences through the contribution to over 70 magazine cover features. He has also appeared in the Hollywood films, Fight to Win, Best of the Best, Bloodsport II and Bloodsport III. He has also been inducted into both the Black Belt and TKD Times Hall of Fame. He is a dreamer and an achiever...one to be emulated by our young people of today.
Grandmaster Hee Il Cho is by far one of the most experienced and knowledgeable martial artists of our time, “a fighter, scholar, innovator, master, and philosopher—the Tae Kwon Do Prophet...” --Martial Arts Illustrated