On April 12th, Master Ed Rose attended the 22nd Annual U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society Annual Convention in Atlanta, GA. As a 6th Degree Black Belt, Master Rose was invited to be an associate member of the organization. The U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society was founded in 2003 as a non-profit organization in Dallas and has grown to 325 members in 40 states. This national organization consists of an elite group of martial artist instructors and Master Rose is honored to be a part of the organization.
The 22nd Anniversary Convention, the 16th Anniversary Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, and the 4th Anniversary Myongin Awards Ceremony were held at this event. During the event, participants attended seminars on topics covering ‘General Taekwondo Scope’ by Education Division Chair Jae-jin Kang, ‘Example as a Leader and Connection with the Community’ by Woo-jin Jung, publisher of Taekwondo Time magazine, and ‘Consideration of Legal issues as a safe sport’ by Director Sharon Steel.
During this event, the 16th Hall of Fame recipients in 2024, who have dedicated their lives to Taekwondo were honored. G.M. Sun Tok Choe, who established the foundation of Taekwondo in Florida, GM Young Sun Seo of Georgia, and GM Ju Hun Kim of North Carolina received awards. GM Craig Kollars received the Taekwondo Ambassador Award, GM Sung Yong Ji of Georgia State received the Peace Award, and GM Sang Bok Chung of Georgia State received the Respected Parents of the Year Award. In addition, the most honorable Myongin award, GM Hyun Ok Shin, who contributed significantly to the growth of Taekwondo in New York, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
There were also messages delivered by World Taekwondo President Chung Won Choue, Kukkiwon President Lee DongSup, and Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Secretary General Lee Jong Gab. In addition, Selection Chairperson Dr. He-Young Kimm introduced the history of the Hall of Fame, and Gwinnett Judge Shawn Bratton concluded the event with closing remarks.
Pictured below are all the instructors and fellow academy owners from our regional group who we train and compete with at our competitions. Pictured left to right are Grand Master Scott Rodgers, Nashville TN; Grand Master Rick Pope, Cleveland, TN; Grand Master Moises Contreras, Athens, TN (Mr. Rose’s instructor); Master Ed Rose; Senior Grand Master Rick Hall, Hixson, TN; Grand Master Carol Hall, Hixson, TN and Grand Master Greg Roy, Chattanooga, TN. All of the instructors pictured are members of the U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society.
Note: The U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society is a non-profit organization of regular members of 8th and 9th degrees and associate members of 5th, 6th, and 7th degrees and is registered as the longest-serving non-profit organization in the United States.
