Kwang Jo Choi

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Kwang Jo Choi
Born March 2, 1942
Daegu, Korea
Martial art practiced Choi Kwang Do
Website www.choikwang-do.com

Kwang Jo Choi was a Korean national champion in Taekwondo, and is one of the twelve original Masters of Taekwon-Do[1]. Choi is the founder of Choi Kwang- do, and currently heads the Choi Kwang-Do martial arts International organisation out of the Headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia USA.

[edit] Biograpghy

Kwang Jo Choi was born on March 2, 1942, in Daegu, Korea, which was under Japanese control at the time. He started training in the martial arts at the age of 12 because his father was concerned as Kwang Jo was small and physically weak, and he wanted his son to be able to protect himself in the war-torn streets. During his military service, Kwang Jo became a chief Instructor in the 20th infantry division [2] and came into contact with General Choi (the founder of Taekwon-Do) when the military began to use that system for unarmed combat. Due to injuries sustained from his martial arts training he sought medical attention in the United States and began to study the different physical therapy techniques, as a result, he began to study anatomy, physiology and human-movement sciences. In 1987 he incorporated everything he had learned into a new martial arts system called Choi Kwang Do, which translates as “the art (or method) of Kwang Choi.” Choi maintains that Choi Kwang Do is free from the mysticisms of 'traditional' martial arts. He advertises that Choi Kwang- do practises yoga-based stretching, and claims that it is proven to be the most effective form of martial arts.[3]

Choi, heads the international organisation from Atlanta, and April 2008 celebrates 20 years of Choi Kwang Do. Kwang Jo Choi's International Instructor Ralph Allison goes into the Combat Hall of Fame.[4] Choi was inducted into the Taekwondo Times Magazine Hall of Fame, 2006.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ A tribute to the original masters Retrieved on 13 June 2007.
  2. ^ Lasky, Steve. "The art of self-confidence - Master KwangChoi is spreading the gospel of his fresh approach to the - martial arts", The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution, April 17, 1986. 
  3. ^ Choi Kwang Do Kirwan Retrieved on 7 May 2008.
  4. ^ Ralph Allison. Combat Hall Of Fame.
  5. ^ Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi confirms visit to New Zealand (Press Release). Scoop (December 27, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-04-04.

[edit] External links

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