Congratulations to Grandmaster Taejoon Lee for the Extremely Rare Achievement of 8th Dan in Hwa Rang Do...
On May 23rd, 2009 Hwa Rang Do's, Chief Master Taejoon Lee was promoted to 8th Dan Hwa Rang Do® Black Sash and became Grandmaster Taejoon Lee.
This was a historic day for many reasons...
On April 18th, Supreme Grandmaster (Dojoonim) Dr. Joo Bang Lee formally tested, then Chief Master Taejoon Lee to qualify him for his 8th degree Black Sash promotion in Hwa Rang Do®.
Very few people in the world can fathom the dedication, skill, knowledge and time it requires to achieve an 8th Dan title in Hwa Rang Do®. Hwa Rang Do® is the only martial art which has curriculum all the way through 7th Dan, encompasses over 4,000+ techniques and requires a test for promotion to 8th Dan.
Only 3 other people in the world hold an equal or higher rank in Hwa Rang Do®.
Grandmaster Taejoon Lee has proven himself to be one of the world’s finest martial artists, in a style that spans an unusually broad skill-set of striking, joint locking, throwing, grappling, submissions and training in 108 different weapons.
His speed, precision, power, and encyclopedic knowledge of body mechanics converge into a beautiful yet lethal blur of movement, which can only be appreciated by seeing him in action.
Not surprisingly, his talents have been recognized by industry press, which has featured him in nearly two dozen articles including two covers of Black Belt magazine (World’s Leading Martial Arts Journal). He has trained many members of the Elite U.S. Military & Law Enforcement, and has performed celebrated demonstrations in the United States, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
Aside from physical ability, over the 30 years of teaching Hwa Rang Do®, Grandmaster Lee has selflessly given his life to his students, with the goal of self-betterment. Personal development and spiritual growth is a central focus of training in Hwa Rang Do® and his mentorship has been directly responsible for the extraordinary success of many of his students, which include leaders in corporate America, entrepreneurs, actors, singers, medical and legal professionals, to touch on a few.
In an industry focused on the spectacle of mixed martial arts, the unusual focus on personal development and important life skills stands out as a powerful testament to the mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as the physical, benefits of martial arts training.
We have no doubt that if Grandmaster Lee had chosen a different profession, he would be a multi-Billionaire conquering the business world because of his unmatched drive, skill and wisdom. Hwa Rang Do, the martial arts world and his students are blessed, more than they realize, to have him.
Marking the 100th Black Sash Test & 50 Year Anniversary...
For this reasons stated above, Grandmaster Lee's students and instructors at the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy took it upon themselves to honor Master Lee by completely organizing and funding his 8th Dan ceremony, banquet and celebration.
If this had been up to Grandmaster Lee, this special day would come and pass with not much more than a small private dinner and ceremony. In fact, last year Dojoonim had offered then Chief Master Lee the opportunity to test for his 8th Dan. He respectfully declined the opportunity to test, because he didn't deem it appropriate this early in his life.
Grandmaster Lee had been 7th Dan for the past 13 years and this is only his 3rd Dan promotion in the past 27 years. However, this year marks the 100th Black Sash test and next year marks the 50 year anniversary of Hwa Rang Do® existing, as a modern martial art. To honor this milestone, Grandmaster Lee humbly accepted this historic promotion Dojoonim awarded to his son and heir to the Hwa Rang Do legacy.
Read about Grandmaster Taejoon Lee's 8th Dan ceremony and celebration including exclusive pictures and the surprise gift Grandmaster presented to his father, Supreme Grandmaster Dr. Joo Bang Lee.
