Posted by Royal Dragon on February 26, 2003 at 05:39:39:
In Reply to: Re: Go bother somebody else, troublemaker posted by Royal Dragon on February 26, 2003 at 05:20:48:
Hey, I have a question, are any of the other Blue Dragon locations still open?
You guys were under a Grandmaster Han Young Kim, weren't you?
Your web site is down, since the school closed I assume, but I saved this about your Master.
Grandmaster Han Young Kim's involvement in martial arts training and instruction spans more than 40 years. He joined the Chang Moo Kwan Association when he was 7 years old and earned his 1st Dan Black Belt at 10. Six years later, he competed in the 1963 Korean National Taekwondo Championship held in Chun Joo, Korea, and won the Silver Medal.
In 1965, Grandmaster Kim joined the Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps' 1st Division in Pohang, South Korea. He later signed on for three tours of active duty in Vietnam (1967-1970) during which time he graduated in the top third of his class in the military Taekwondo Chief Instructor's course in Saigon. As one of the Chief Master Instructors of the elite Korean Marine Corps' Blue Dragon Brigade, Grandmaster Kim trained members of the U.S. and South Vietnamese Special Forces as well as military VIP bodyguards. The Blue Dragon Brigade, one of the United States' strongest allies, was known as the 'Best of the Best.' This elite group of fighters earned renown for their ferocity, dedication, and commitment. As a martial arts specialist, Grandmaster Kim participated on the Armed Forces' Taekwondo Demonstration Team and toured with this group of highly trained soldiers throughout Southeast Asia.
After serving in the Vietnam War, Grandmaster Kim relocated to the United States. He opened the first Blue Dragon School in Baltimore in 1971. Fifteen years later, he moved the School to its current site in Timonium. During his career, Grandmaster Kim has trained regional, national and international competitors, produced over 1,200 black belts in Korea, Vietnam and America, and received numerous citations from Governors, Mayors, Police Chiefs and professional organizations, including the Maryland Taekwondo Association's 'Grandmaster of the Century' Award. Grandmaster Kim's devotion to the martial arts has resulted in a lifetime spent studying, practicing and sharing the lessons of Taekwondo and Hapkido.