Park Jong-soo
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Park Jong-soo
Grandmaster Park Jong-soo (1941 – 27 November 2021) was one of the twelve original pioneers dispatched by General Choi Hong Hi to spread Taekwon-Do around the world. General Choi himself called him the best student he ever had. Standing nearly 1.83 m tall and weighing 90 kg, he was nicknamed Hercules during his early years in Korea—a reputation built on devastating breaking demonstrations and spectacular jumping kicks that dominated exhibitions worldwide.
In 1965, he was part of the legendary four-man demonstration team that travelled with General Choi through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe to introduce Taekwon-Do to the world. For practitioners in the Benelux, Park Jong-soo holds particular historical significance: sent to West Germany in 1965 to train the national association, he moved to the Netherlands in 1966, where he founded the Nederlandse Taekwon-Do Associatie (NTA), laying the absolute foundation for the sport in the Netherlands.
In 1968, he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he opened his own main dojang and became the most important pioneer of ITF Taekwon-Do in North America. On 1 May 2001, General Choi formally promoted him to 9th Dan Grandmaster—the highest rank within the art.
Like several other pioneers, he broke with General Choi in the 1970s when the General established ties with North Korea. The two reconciled shortly before Choi’s death in 2002, and Park Jong-soo stood at his bedside. He remained one of the most respected voices in the global ITF community until his death in 2021.
In 1965, he was part of the legendary four-man demonstration team that travelled with General Choi through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe to introduce Taekwon-Do to the world. For practitioners in the Benelux, Park Jong-soo holds particular historical significance: sent to West Germany in 1965 to train the national association, he moved to the Netherlands in 1966, where he founded the Nederlandse Taekwon-Do Associatie (NTA), laying the absolute foundation for the sport in the Netherlands.
In 1968, he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he opened his own main dojang and became the most important pioneer of ITF Taekwon-Do in North America. On 1 May 2001, General Choi formally promoted him to 9th Dan Grandmaster—the highest rank within the art.
Like several other pioneers, he broke with General Choi in the 1970s when the General established ties with North Korea. The two reconciled shortly before Choi’s death in 2002, and Park Jong-soo stood at his bedside. He remained one of the most respected voices in the global ITF community until his death in 2021.
Trainer profile
- Country
-
South Korea
- Born
- 01-01-1941
- Deceased
- 27-11-2021
- Specialization
- Kicking technique, breaking demonstrations, ITF pioneer
- Tradition group
- Korean
Profile
The story
Grandmaster Park Jong-soo (1941 – 27 November 2021) was one of the twelve original pioneers dispatched by General Choi Hong Hi to spread Taekwon-Do around the world. General Choi himself called him the best student he ever had. Standing nearly 1.83 m tall and weighing 90 kg, he was nicknamed Hercules during his early years in Korea—a reputation built on devastating breaking demonstrations and spectacular jumping kicks that dominated exhibitions worldwide.
In 1965, he was part of the legendary four-man demonstration team that travelled with General Choi through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe to introduce Taekwon-Do to the world. For practitioners in the Benelux, Park Jong-soo holds particular historical significance: sent to West Germany in 1965 to train the national association, he moved to the Netherlands in 1966, where he founded the Nederlandse Taekwon-Do Associatie (NTA), laying the absolute foundation for the sport in the Netherlands.
In 1968, he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he opened his own main dojang and became the most important pioneer of ITF Taekwon-Do in North America. On 1 May 2001, General Choi formally promoted him to 9th Dan Grandmaster—the highest rank within the art.
Like several other pioneers, he broke with General Choi in the 1970s when the General established ties with North Korea. The two reconciled shortly before Choi’s death in 2002, and Park Jong-soo stood at his bedside. He remained one of the most respected voices in the global ITF community until his death in 2021.
In 1965, he was part of the legendary four-man demonstration team that travelled with General Choi through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe to introduce Taekwon-Do to the world. For practitioners in the Benelux, Park Jong-soo holds particular historical significance: sent to West Germany in 1965 to train the national association, he moved to the Netherlands in 1966, where he founded the Nederlandse Taekwon-Do Associatie (NTA), laying the absolute foundation for the sport in the Netherlands.
In 1968, he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he opened his own main dojang and became the most important pioneer of ITF Taekwon-Do in North America. On 1 May 2001, General Choi formally promoted him to 9th Dan Grandmaster—the highest rank within the art.
Like several other pioneers, he broke with General Choi in the 1970s when the General established ties with North Korea. The two reconciled shortly before Choi’s death in 2002, and Park Jong-soo stood at his bedside. He remained one of the most respected voices in the global ITF community until his death in 2021.
Training
Trained by
Background
Role and legacy
Pionier
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