Leave the ITF for the ICTF

If you are in the ITF lineage of any of the Masters listed below then you and your school should look into leaving the ITF and Joining the ICTF.
-mr.mustache

Stuart Anslow: What do you think of the ITF organizations now?

Grand Master Kong, Yong Il: Since General Choi's health began to deteriorate, many of the senior instructors of Taekwon-Do appeared to be maneuvering for positions of power and favors. Now that the General has passed away, the ITF has split into three different organizations all claiming to be the "true" or "rightful" one.


Stuart Anslow: What do you think of the current ITF situation? What is going on there with 3 organizations claiming to be the ITF?

Grand Master Kong, Yong Il: I think it is obvious that with three organizations all fighting for power, they certainly cannot be focusing on the members needs. The focus of an organization should be in supporting, educating and servicing its membership.


Stuart Anslow: Is that why did you left the ITF organization you were in and formed the ICTF?

Grand Master Kong, Yong Il: I did not leave the ITF to from any organization. I left the ITF along with many other faithful members due to the disappointment in how it was being lead.


Stuart Anslow: Whose idea was it to form the ICTF?

Grand Master Kong, Yong Il: Grand Master CK Choy and Grand Master JC Kim (both from Vancouver, Canada) and Grand Master Nam Tae Hi (presently living in LA, USA) and I all felt that the existing organizations were not "true" to its members. As pioneers of Taekwon-do and all members of the original Taekwon-do Demonstration Team with General Choi, we felt it was time to form an organization for the members to carrying on the General's legacy.

Another good friend of mine from Spain, Master Kim Mu Won, who was my student in the 60s, also came on board along with Grand Master Park Bu Kwan from Texas and Master Kong, Young Bo (from Pennsylvania - who was the first ITF World Champion in 1974). Together we had to tools and experience to ensure a very strong organization which focused on its members and further Taekwon-Do techniques.

We all got together and had a meeting in February 2003 and formed the WITF and then went on to change the name to the International Ch'ang-Hon Taekwon-Do Federation. It was officially established on October 23, 2003.

Beat with the Basics

Beat with the Basics
Images straight out of
FM 21-75, and FM 3-25.150





I am a firm believer that the basics are not just the beginning but they are also the most important thing in the end.
I always hear people say that you never stop using the basics but in true combat I have learned the basics are really all you use. Sure there are always going to be the stories of guys using the jump reverse hook kick but I find that to be rare. I really think the basics are the most advanced techniques in any system.

When you think of Military Taekwon-do you probably don't think of what you were taught. That's just it though, it's the pink elephant in the room, we were all taught it. I find that classes just don't make it the class focus. But all the styles make room for these teachings. Taegeuk Chli Jang, ITF's Choong Moo, and yes even the Military all teach the Knee strike. Or how about the step behind side kick? Are you kidding me! That's right the Military teaches that too.

It's not the moves that are the problem but the applications. If you are only teaching the moves that the forms have in sparing style, then you might not be teaching TKD because of the way you make your students do them. See TKD is wholistic, and if you are only teaching one part of it then that's just it, you are teaching the sport. I have seen many ITF and WTF schools make this mistake. The climate out there, in the Martial Arts world, is cold right now and if we don't stick together for warmth then we might become frozen in the past. Keep your classes focused on spreading the art.

Much love,
mr.mustache