1. Each level doesnt always mean a specific color; the system is designed to include different colored stripes representing a higher degree of the same color. This represents the 1st-dan level. Results will be updated frequently as they come in from state championships and events around the world. Welcome to the U.S. National Rankings Center, sponsored by Tusah! 2015-2019 President of the U.S. Military Taekwondo Foundation. Tae Kwon Do System was named by the late Grandmaster Kang Rhee, Memphis, Tennessee United States. he is perhaps the highest-ranking taekwondo practitioner on this list. Yinhuwu duan: Silver Tiger 6. President of Hall TaeKwon-Do Association, co-founder of American Taekwon-Do Coalition and Director of Kido Kwan Martial Art International. He is the founder of International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation and Secretary General of Young Brother's International. Hwang still actively teaches martial arts. The number of forms depends on the style used (p.e. 1984-1995 National and International player for U.S. Armed Forces. 4. 1994present: President of Sport Taekwondo Center Associates. Oriental martial arts have been practiced in the Far East for centuries, but the belt system is a relatively new phenomenon, just a little over a century old. 1973, Instructor of U.S. Army General Staff Collebe, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 1976 - 1979, International Referee, 3rd Annual World Tae Kwon Do Championship, Chicago, IL 1977, Founder of Ko's Black Belt Academy, Independence, MO 1979, Master Instructor of the Year Award, Martial Arts Times magazine. 1999-2000 World Class Athletes Program (WCAP) Coach. With the right attitude and dedication, anyone can reach the black belt, and the rewards are well worth the effort. The answer is yes ITF degree holders can participate in WTF events andvice versa but due to political tensions and quarrels, the situation was not always simple and easy for the competitors. President of the US Central Taekwondo Association (USCTA) in Oklahoma, President of the Oklahoma State Taekwondo Association (OSTA) through USA Taekwondo (Olympic body for Taekwondo in the USA). Answer (1 of 6): An interesting question. Here you can download the Excel spreadsheet that will show you exactly how your points were calculated! ITF is geared towards a taekwondo self-defense style. 2nd kyu: brown belt. President and Founder of the American Jungdo Federation, Korea Judo National Champion (1969-1974), Olympic Head Coach Netherlands, Yong In University Assistant Professor, Black Belt Man of the Year 1983, 1993, 1999, World Championships 2nd Place, Head Instructor at. April 10, 2017 - 2022 was appointed as the first president of Puerto Rico Taekwondo Chang Moo Kwan. Choi Hong Hi Choi Hong Hi, widely acknowledged as the founder of tae kwon do, a martial art that began in Korea and spread rapidly to community centers and storefronts around the United States, died on June 15 in Pyongyang, North Korea. His mission is to carry on his previous duties as requested by General Choi to work to unify all who practice Taekwon-Do. 1986 join the United States Navy. The system is based on a series of Taekwondo belts, each representing a different proficiency and skill level. He was posthumously promoted to 10th Dan on 17 January 2020. Ju Dan or 10th Dan. In the early days of taekwondo, no standard ranking system or belt colors existed. The period between promotions can range from one month to more than a year. holds ITF Umpire Certification. also 9th Dan with Traditional Changmookwan under GM Jon Weidenman Fax : +41 21 601 59 83 President of United Kingdom Taekwondo Council. Colors have essential meanings, with the red belt denoting ultimate achievement. This is generally the highest belt level in the WTF Taekwondo system awarded . President of UTTC - United Traditional Tae Kwon-Do Canada. Six Duanwei can use the title of Master as this is the highest technical grade. The only exception made was when Kim Ki-Wang received a 10th dan rank while lying in the hospital bed . First to attain 10th Dan in Taekwondo HanMooKwan by his founder Grandmaster Kyo Yoon Lee. https://uskido.org/united-states-kido-federation/home/uskf-black-belts/. Taekwondo is a martial art that offers practitioners a unique way to stay fit and hone their skills. Choi Jung-hwa was born on Cheju Island, Korea on 22 May 1951 and has studied Taekwon-Do since the age of 7, not only under his father, but also under many high ranking and pioneering Taekwon-Do Masters during their visits and stays with General Choi. also 8th Dan with Kukkiwon GM Kim was an instructor with the Korean National Police, and trained as a member of the Moo Duk Kwan under Sung Park. One way this is done is through stripes on the belts. Achieving this rank requires a deep commitment to the practice, as well as the dedication to perfecting the various techniques and forms of the martial art. In addition, he currently holds a 9th dan rank with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation. He is the founder and creator of Sun Do Sul. The journey of a Taekwondo practitioner is marked by progress from one colored belt to another over many years of dedication and hard work. The US National Ranking database system shows you not only your rank nationally but also, using the filters at the top of the column, allows you to see the rankings both for your region AND your state. He was promoted to 9th Dan by the United States Kido Federation in 2017. Co-founder of American Taekwon-Do Coalition and director of Kido Kwan Martial Art International. She holds the rank of 9th Dan black belt in the Korean art. President of the German-Korean culture Federal e.V. Additionally, you must meet time requirements and have a minimum age to be eligible for promotions to higher ranks such as Black Belt. Teaching classes daily the former champion competitor also attended Tuskegee University, Sacramento City College and California State University. The 9th Dan is the highest rank that can be attained in Taekwondo and is reserved for Taekwondo masters who have made significant contributions to the art. Father of taekwondo in Canada. Gerontology, Primary care: No. She was the first to teach Taekwon-Do to Panama as she was a US Naval officer stationed there. President of ITF England, Chairman of the ITF Children Development Committee, co-author of the study book and instructor manual of the Taekwondo Kids Development Program, 2012 Olympic Torchbearer. That system is simple enough. also 4th Dan with the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) Taekwondo is a martial art that is practiced all over the world, with practitioners ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Jamie Griffiths is a 3rd dan he will be taking his 4th this year. World Taekwondo Headquarters. Promoted to 10th Dan posthumously on 21 February 2017. Gary Edward Daniels (born 9 May 1963) is an English actor, a martial arts artist, a martial arts action film star, a producer, and a fight coordinator. 1996 USATKD Certified National Referee and Coach. GM Robinson also leads the TKD classes at American River College as adjunct professor and created the Sports Business Management course for the Los Rios College District. Founder of Australia ITF Taekwon-Do Association. They are highly sought-after by martial arts schools and academies, and often become teachers and mentors to other practitioners. She still actively teaches every class in her small Do-jang three times a week. Furthermore, practitioners who reach this level of mastery will receive recognition for their dedication to the martial art. It is important to understand that a taekwondo belt is not simply a piece of cloth but a representation of the hard work and dedication of earning it. LIVE STREAM: Watch ABC on fuboTV (free trial) Student of GM Anthony Phelan. The ATA (American Taekwondo Association) has 10 Taekwondo belts, including white, yellow, orange, green, blue, red, purple, brown, and black. This has enabled Taekwondo to become increasingly popular, with practitioners from around the world striving to achieve the highest rank. 1 for the second year in a row according to the 2023-24 rankings just released by U.S. News & World Report. Taekwon-do Martial Arts Instructor in Ponce, Puerto Rico- 1976-1987 For instance, in Karate, the highest black belt in the dan ranking set is 10th degree which can take a lifetime to achieve as a Grand Master. 1975-1977 Open the first karate school in Humacao Puerto Rico. The use of different colored belts and stripes is a unique aspect of Taekwondo and helps to visualize a students journey and progress within the discipline. Founder of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association. Among his thousands of students were Michael Ajay and Clint Robinson. Earning this honor ranks as one of the most valuable accomplishments that one can attain in Taekwondo, as it demonstrates total comprehension and skill in both physical technique and fundamental philosophical principles such as humility, respect, generosity, integrity, patience, and discipline. Senior vice president of the ITF. Each school and/or national federation determine those periods. To progress in the Taekwondo Belt Ranking System, you must complete a series of forms, technical elements, and sparring sessions. It takes approximately 40 years of . Grandmaster Han was on the Board of Directors of the Korean Tae Kwon Do Federation in its early days. Through the combination of forms, technical elements, and sparring, Taekwondo students can ultimately demonstrate their proficiency and progress through the ranks to achieve the coveted black belt. [24] Lee, Kwan-sung. He is a technical advisor for the TaeKwon-Do Hall of Fame and holds Board Advisory positions with the United States Kido Federation, and the International TaeKwon-Do Federation - HQ (USA). He is a multiple Hall of Fame inductee and frequent seminar instructor. The actor has an eight-degree black belt, while Mr Putin has a ninth-degree. The highest rank in Taekwondo is the 9th Dan and achieving it is a major accomplishment. Grandmaster Minyard has been training in Martial Arts for 50 years. What is the Taekwondo Belt Ranking System? In Seiki Juku Karate, a red belt denotes 10th Kyu, the lowest beginner rank. Dan Grades are the highest rank in Taekwondo, with nine Dan Grades ranging from the first Dan Grade, the 1st Dan, to the 9th Dan. GM Kim later broke away from the ITF at the urging of CK Kim, whom he viewed as one of his mentors, because of the growing influence of North Korea within the ITF. IOC - OS Technical Expert He is the founder of the United States Kido Federation and holds board advisory positions with the International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation, the International TaeKwon-Do Federation HQ (USA), and the World TaeSool Association. A dedication to mastering the fundamentals of Taekwondo and a commitment to practice and growth are essential. Medina is an International Instructor certified by Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo Chang Moo Kwan. Reaching the highest rank in Taekwondo is an ambitious goal, but one that can be achieved with dedication and discipline. Which martial art has the most demanding training? A vertical stripe on a belt is used as a symbol of seniority, with the number of stripes indicating the level of progress. Taekwondo is a unique martial art form that has a hierarchy of rank that allows practitioners to progress through the system. Grandmaster Jay "Flying Tiger" Blanton has written 2- books on Prevailing Against being bullied,1- book on his Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts system history and his training, and an Anti-Bullying Program for schools, colleges, etc. In order to move from one level to the next, students must demonstrate increased proficiency in their Taekwondo techniques. Most WTF schools use the system presented below, but slight variations exist worldwide. GMR has been honored by the US Congress, the Joint Houses of the CA Legislature and was honored with the NBA 'Differencemaker' Award for anti-bullying efforts in the community. 1979 - 1984 was acting as the vice-president for the Young Brothers I.T.F. We appreciate your support and thank you for your purchases, as they sustain our magazine and allow us to bring you the best content.Our experts use a first-hand testing and reviewing method. Include the Taiwan Olympic Team, Mexico Team, teams from Australia, Chile, and Brother's Taekwondo AZ, LA, AK, OK, and NC. If you see any errors,or wish to add your coach or your club to your athlete listing please [email protected] remember to include your name, USATKD number and/or GAL number, division(s) and the information you wish to add or correct. See also Facebook @GMClintRobinson, TKD Grandmaster Clint Robinson on YouTube, gmrobinson2018 on IG or robinsonstkd.com, President of Traditional Taekwondo Union (TTU), Student of Grand Master Pong-ki Kim and Grand Master Kop-soo Kwon, Former trainer of the South Korean National Team, former Trainer of the Austrian National Team, Kukkiwon Award for his Life Contributions to Tae Kwon Do, Technical Competition Director for the Austrian Tak Kwon Do Association (SVT); Hosted the Austrian Tae Kwon Do Championship in 2015. Understanding the significance of belt colors and stripes is important in Taekwondo training, as it allows students to track their progress and recognize their peers achievements. When it comes to reaching the highest rank in Taekwondo, the commitment and dedication needed are incomparable. GM Hwang began studying at the age of 11 and received his 1st Degree in Tang Soo Do in 1957, his 2nd Degree in 1961, his 3rd Degree from the I.T.F. Grandmaster Svendsen is known for having won more than 60 World Cup gold in 11 different organizations' World Cups and World Championships as of 1 March 2019; ITF, WASCO, PUMA, WTA, WTKA / WTA, UNIFIED WORLD, UFMC, TAGB, United ITF, Re-Unified, WACTO, WFMC and 20+ Euro Gold in several Taekwondo organizations (ITF, TAGB, UITF, TKDI). Founder of the San Diego Taekwondo Association, Former President of the San Diego Taekwondo Association, International Grandmaster, International Referee, Founder and Owner of Pan-Am Tae Kwon Do Academy - all classes instructed by Grandmaster NAM KIM. Executive Council member of the World Taekwondo Federation; Major player in having WTF Taekwondo recognized as an official Olympic sport; Goodwill Ambassador for the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Canada, from 3 October 2012 31 December 2013. Address: Zadarska ul. Chairman of the Technical & Education Committee. 1987 - International referee at the Pan Am Games in Indianapolis, Indiana. Produced 5 Black belt students who have represented the United States National Tae Kwon Do Team, two of whom won gold medals in the Olympic Games. The tests and standards held in Taekwondo are rigorous but attainable, and reaching the red belt is the ultimate goal for many students after years of dedication and hard work. To begin answering the question I always say that no matter how good you are at something you will never be the best. A practitioner with a Red Stripe has been training longer than those without and is seen as a mentor or role model to those with the same rank but without the stripe. Considered as the Father of Australian taekwondo; founded. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Achieving Grandmaster status in Taekwondo is an impressive feat requiring years of dedication and practice. There is no single, universally-recognized set of criteria to define a taekwondo grandmaster; different organizations and different styles have their own rules. Former Korean Four-time National Martial Arts Champion, Korean Army Tae Kwon Do Champion and Instructor, Master Instructor of the Year. Additionally, its crucial to remember that the belt stripe is only one aspect of Taekwondos overall progress and ranking system. Opened the first branch of Mun Moo Kwan in the United States of America in 1969, Founded the Portuguese Taekwondo Association, Author of the first Taekwondo book ever published in the Portuguese language (1975) also distributed in Brazil. Thegeupsystem starts with the highest number in the system and continues until the 1stgeup, the last colored rank, before attaining a black belt. Besides being a long time practitioner of Tae Kwon Do, GM Kim also studied Sumo and Judo, holding a black belt in Judo. Updated January 27, 2023. (Based on the U.S. national Sparring Rankings; posted July 18, Follow on , USATKD National Rankings Sponsored by Tusah, Click HERE to download the current Pan American Games selection period rankings. The journey is a testament to the dedication and hard work of those who attain this rank. Reaching the black belt has numerous benefits. At 6th degree one is at even more rarefied air and at this level and the main job, in addition to continuing one's own training, is to teach other instructors. Still, the general concept of using them to represent skill and experience is consistent across different organizations. Upon graduation, he began teaching physical education to junior and high school students. Related articles: The history ofbelts and belt colors in martial arts. In 1973 Gen. Choi attended the first annual Kim's Tae Kwon Do Championship Tournament in Portland, Oregon. Grandmaster HS Kim was known for his flying kicks, and retained his impressive jumping abilities well beyond middle age. Taekwondo / Taekwondo Belts: Ranking System Explained. April 24, 2023 Master's degree program in homeland security maintains No. Those who reach the highest rank are those who have mastered the techniques and forms, demonstrated their knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Taekwondo, and have proven their commitment to the art. 2017 Induced by the Revista de Artes Marciales's Puerto Rico Hall of Fame 2016 Pioneer Award by U.S. Taekwondo Champions (GM James F. Stagen and GM Ron Berry). Bruce Lee is perhaps the most famous martial arts movie actor of all time. As a student of Taekwondo, the journey begins with the mandatory white belt. There are 10 Geups until black belt and 9 dans after. The examiners were Master Fred Lee at the time 7th Dan and Master Tony Quigley also 7th dan at the time. One major factor when both people have the same skill levels is luck, so you will find it that one of the top two taekwondo artists would. Switzerland. The colors are as follows: Color Geup Meaning 10th Blankness, lack of knowledge, Beginning 9th Middle phase between white and yellow 8th A seed planted 7th Middle phase between yellow and green 6th A planted seed starts to grow, and mature 5th Middle phase between green and blue 4th The sky the grown seed tries to reach3rdMiddle phase between blue and red 2nd The color of blood, a warning about the dangers of the skill 1st Middle phase between red and black Black belt (1st dan). Svendsen is the most winning taekwondo performer in the ITF style world-wide. Secondly, it helps put on fair competition that ensures the two competing are at the same level. by Jim Coleman. The Puerto Rico team won third place in the world. Head instructor of the Czech Taekwon-do Federation ITF. For months, Philip Ameris swallowed his pride and bit his tongue as a parade of grapplers made names for themselves by beating strikers in reality combat matches all across North America. Taekwondo is an ancient martial art that has evolved and spread over centuries, becoming one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world today. Still, it is a testament to the technical and tactical skills a trainee has learned throughout their training journey. With time, he became exceptional as an instructor and changed his efforts in teaching physical education to mentally handicapped and physically impaired men and women. 1976-1977 for the first time introduced karate in Jaguar-San Lorenzo Puerto Rico. Our team had only four fighters for which he fought 16 times, while the other fighters fought only eight times. also 8th Dan with World Tangsoodo General Federation In Kyokushin Karate, as governed by the International Federation of Karate (IFK), a red belt denotes 10th and 9th kyu, the two lowest ranks after white belt. He was 83 and lived in Mississauga, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. The sections below contain ALL the ranking information you need! He represents Puerto Rico in Venezuela, United States, Canada, Scotland, Virgin Islands, Domican Republic, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. But what qualifications are needed to reach the highest rank? Sell (64 years old) is an American Taekwondo instructor, and the highest ranking non-Korean female practitioner of Taekwondo. We strive to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. This is also the highest rank that is awarded to the living people as the "10th dan black belt" is usually awarded posthumously. The different kup grades are marked by colored belts, with the 10th kup typically wearing a white belt and the 1st kup typically wearing a black belt. 1991 served in the Desert Storm War for the liberation of Kuwait. From there, he won eight times as a Grand Champion in the heavy weight division amazingly weighing only 140 pounds. World Taekwondo Lausanne Office. Black Belt August 1997. Promoted by Pioneer Grandmaster Yoo-sun Lee on 11 August 2017. All Rights Reserved. Founded Taekwondo Hall of Fame; first person of African descent to receive 9th dan from Korea, Pioneer of taekwondo in the United States of America; wrote several books; contributed, One of only two students that tested and promoted to 5th Dan at the first Korean Tae Soo Do Association exam in 1962. Grandmaster Vega holds a 9th Dan with the International Taekwon-do Federation, 6th Dan in O.S.C. What are the different Taekwondo Belts in order? It is the ultimate goal of any Taekwondo practitioner and a sign of great accomplishment. Grandmaster Creedon is also known for being a superb Instructor. Perplexity and burstiness are both key when considering this martial art: the moves are intricate and require precise timing, while the stances and techniques vary greatly. How can someone become a ninth-degree black belt in Taekwondo? 9th Degree/9th Dan Black Belt - If you reach this level, you are a Taekwondo Grand Master. What are the benefits of achieving the highest rank? (Based on the U.S. national Sparring Rankings; posted July 18, 2019). Striving for their mastery of the art, practitioners slowly accumulate skills and knowledge until they reach their highest potential holding a red belt. 2022 United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. In Vovinam, the red belt is the highest master rank. We all know that martial arts can be a great way to stay fit and learn a few self-defense moves, but for those looking to take their training a step further, achieving the highest rank possible in Taekwondo may be the ultimate goal. 1985, U.S. National Tea Ambassador for Martial Arts Summit, Seoul Korea 1987, Founder of Ko's Black Belt Academy, Overland Park, Kansas 1990, US Tae Kwon Do National Team Manager 1994. have been widely recognized masters of taekwondo for at least 30 years; 1976 Best competitor of the year presented by P.R. It wasnt until the mid-20th century that the first standardized taekwondo belt system was introduced, and this system has continued to evolve over time. I graded for 1st Dan in March 1990, Master Sidall was also grading for his 1st dan at the BTA grading on the same day. These pre-arranged patterns of movements demonstrate a students understanding of Taekwondos basic techniques and principles. Additionally, it is important to have the proper gear, such as a mouthguard, headgear, and gloves. Only non-Korean honored at the Taekwondo Park in Seoul, Korea. It is a prestigious title given to experienced martial artists who have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to reach this level. Founder: Grand Master J. Cariati, IX Dan", https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=itf%20union%20norman%20creedon&epa=SEARCH_BOX, Duc Dang Martial Arts: Grandmaster Dang Huy Duc, Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do: IX Black Belt Directory, Taekwon-Do Center: Grandmaster Van Binh Nguyen, IXth Degree, International Taekwon-Do Federation USA: Board of Directors, United States Taekwon-Do Federation: Organization, Interview with ITF Vice-President Senior Master Pablo Trajtenberg, Kingdom Schools of Taekwon-Do: Adrian O'Mahoney, International Taekwon-Do Federation: Board of Directors, International Taekwon-Do Federation: Grand Master Tran update, "Republic of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association. in Puerto Rico. Download the U.S. National Sparring Rankings Raw Data by CLICKING HERE. Former President, U.S.T.U. He is the father of popular actor and martial artist. (DKK e.V.). His school teaches a traditional style of Moo Duk Kwon Tae Kwon Do. Each Taekwondo Belt color has a different meaning, with White representing a beginner and Black representing a master of the art. Taekwon-do Martial Arts Master Instructor Norfolk, Virginia- 1991-2000 In this section you will be able to find the current rules governing the U.S. National Rankings System. And How to be prepared for Sparring, WTF Belt at ITF Competition: Understanding the Differences in Taekwondo Belts, Taekwondo Belt Colors Ranked: From White to Black Belt and ITF vs WTF Belts, and the Significance of Color, Stripe Example and Understanding the Significance of Belt Stripe in Taekwondo, including Red Stripe for Seniority, The Importance of Properly Earning and Wearing Taekwondo Belts in the TKD Community, Taekwondo Conclusions: Dive Deeper into the Martial Arts and its Belt System, Frequently asked questions about Taekwondo belts. Organization chart of the Italian Taekwondo Federation F.I.TAE. holds 1st Class Dan/Poom and Master Instructor with Kukkiwon as well as Hanmadan 2018 WT International Referee. The Taekwondo belt system is designed for 2 main reasons, first to measure a person's level at Taekwondo. 1978 won first place in the Young Brothers team battle Tae Kwon-Do Associates. The belt is typically divided into two halves, with the upper half red and the lower half black. He is credited with creating the competition format currently being used in International Taekwon-Do competition. He is Considered as one of the fathers of Australian Taekwon-Do, learned TaeKwon-Do in Malaysia under Gen. Choi and C.K Choi. GMR hosts regional competitive events throughout the year including the UWTA Black Belt Test in Reno, NV, the Sacramento International Championships and offers community service events on bullying, health and fitness in TKD training for the public. This was not a completely original idea, as he was inspired by a similar system present in the Japanese board game of go (similar to chess), but it was a revolution of belt colors in the world of martial arts. Bas is a master in many martial arts styles and he also holds a spot in our list of . Anthony Pettis. 1985 - International referee at the World TKD Collegiate Championships. NGB), 2013 Hall of Fame for the World Greatest Martial Arts Master, 2015 Pioneer of the Martial Arts on 70's award in Puerto Rico, 2015 President of the International Taekwon-do Federation UNION in America, 2015 Chairman of Promotion of the International Taekwon-do Federation UNION, 2016 vice-president of the International Taekwon-do Federation UNION. 6th Degree Black Belt. Taekwondo is by far the most popular style in America, and once you figure in tang soo do, hapkido, kuk sool won, hwa rang do, soo bahk do, kumdo and the like, Korea's dominance becomes even more apparent. Founded the "Kick Cancer Out of this World" benefit event which has raised over $120,000 for cancer charities. 1 last year. In 1965 at age 21, Hwang became a martial arts instructor for the Korean and South Vietnamese Armies, specializing in taekwondo. Actively instructs traditional taekwondo to students of all ranks. USF features 31 graduate programs ranked inside the top 100. Who is the highest ranking Taekwondo Master? Also holds a 9th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido and a 6th Degree Black Belt in Judo, Korean National Champion 19711975; US Olympic Coach; Pan-American Team Coach; author of several reference books, One of Founders of Italian Taekwondo (three Park Brothers - Sun-jae Park, Young-ghil Park, Chung-un Park); current Honorary President of FITA - Italian Taekwondo Federation; current Technical Director of WTF Poomsae Committee, 1960 - Taught the Kim Ja City, Korea, police department. also 9th Dan with USA Taekwondo (USAT) 7th Degree/Dan Black Belt - Generally 7-8 years to earn. Dan ranks were transferred to martial arts by Kan Jigor (1860-1938), the founder of judo. A successful demonstration of all these necessary skills allows the trainee to obtain a promotion. Being the ultimate black belt in Taekwondo can be hugely rewarding. The word "dan" means degree in Korean, it is used to designate ranks of black belts. Our experts use a first-hand testing and reviewing method. Founder of Original Taekwon-Do Federation (IOTF) on 17 June 2002. Since the year 2000, Taekwondo has been an official Olympic sport, with the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) responsible for setting the rules and regulations for competitions. Download the U.S. National Poomsae Rankings Raw Data by, The 2019-2020 All-American coaches are listed below. Grandmaster Pan, Sim-woon spent his life travelling around the world instructing people in Kukkiwon Taekwondo. The general rule is that the knowledge a master has is formed into a system and certain style in order to transfer it to his disciples.