A
first-generation student of General Choi, Hong Hi, the Father of Taekwon-Do,
Grand Master Kong, Young Il's Taekwon-Do roots are in the Oh Do Kwan in
Won Joo, Korea. Today, fifty-four years later, Grand Master Kong, Young
Il teaches the martial art of Taekwon-Do with the same approaches and
rigor he learned from the Father of Taekwon-Do and perfected through continuous
practice of the art. Grand Master Kong, Young Il is steadfastly focused
on promoting Taekwon-Do and General Choi's legacy.
GM Kong Young Il lives in Las Vegas with his wife. His sons Andy and Douglas live in Los Angeles.
Here are some highlights from the illustrious career of this Taekwon-Do pioneer:
1952 - At age nine, with a child's curiosity, became a student of Shotakan karate;
1962 - 1967 - Attended the Kyung Hee University Physical Education College became All Star Captain of the university's Taekwon-Do team;
1963 - 1967 - Served in the Republic of Korea Army, attaining
the rank of Sergeant; Served as a Master Instructor of the Republic of
Korea Army with duties to enhance the instruction of other Taekwon-Do
instructors; With General Choi, Grand Master Nam, Tae Hi, and others,
co- developed several Taekwon-Do patterns; Became the first Master Instructor
to introduce the 8th U.S. Army in Korea to Taekwon-Do; Named Captain of
the competitive Taekwon-Do All Star Team of the Republic of Korea Army;
Became member of the original International Taekwon-Do
Federation (ITF);
1973 - 1980 - As member of the International Taekwon-Do Federation
(ITF) Demonstration Team, and in the company of General Choi, visited
more than 127 countries as part of ambassadorship for Taekwon-Do; Immigrated
to the United States upon invitation from an American Soldier who was
his student of Taekwon-Do; Founded and operated numerous dojangs across
the United States
and Puerto Rico; Served as Master Instructor for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) in Pennsylvania;
1994 - Bame the 39th Inductee to the All-American Black Belt Hall
of Fame.
1997 - Promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt by General Choi, Hong
Hi in Poland.
2003 - Co-founded the International Ch'Ang-Hon Taekwon-Do Federation.
2006 - Assumed the role of President of the World Taekwon-Do Alliance.