Jack Martin
June 20, 2002
Colorado Texas Steakhouse
My favourite moment was meeting our Founder at the first seminar back in the seventies when I was just a teenager. I have been lucky enough to have several moments with General Choi, along with Master Lang where we shared bulgulgi and kimchi at a favorite Denver, CO restaurant.
However, one of the moments that makes me smile is the time we were celebrating a post testing dinner here in Denver, CO at a Texas style steak house. This specific steakhouse is known for cutting off the tie of the visiting Guest who is being honoured. We all didn't know how to explain to General Choi that a female server would be approaching him with a pair of scissors to cut his tie off and mount it on the wall where he would sign his name from his homeland.
It was quite a discussion between the black belts, and the servers didn't quite understand that we needed to approach this delicately.
We tried as best we could to explain the concept to General Choi. That this was a custom, tradition and an honour for the event. He said softly as he wasn't quite sure of the intent, "No custom." We talked a little bit more about the tradition of a visitor, especially of his status and what an honour it would be to have his tie on the wall. There was quite a discussion going back and forth between General Choi and the Senior black belts as the Female Server approached. It was an uneasy moment as General Choi's eyes got a little bigger. I think everyone in the room was holding their breath, and snip. There was a beat, and she lead him over to the wall where they mounted the portion of his tie to the wall. General Choi signed it and turned around with a grin, not saying anything, but if you read it right, it said, "You funny Gringo's." The rest of the night was spent with dining and the celebration of Taekwon Do.
Yours in Taekwon Do,
Jack Martin, A-3-560
ITF/YOMCHI
Scott Downey
June 20, 2002
The Battery Hotel on Signal Hill
My favourite moment was during General Choi's historic visit to Newfoundland in March, 2001. During his first night in St. John's, Myself, my wife, General Choi, GM Park Joong Soo, and Master Phap Lu went to the Battery Hotel on Signal Hill for Dinner.
We sat at a table which had an excellent view of St. John's Harbour. I can clearly picture General Choi sitting in his chair with his arms folded and a huge smile on his face. He had just finished his meal and was looking out the window at the beautiful view of the harbour lights and the boats that were docked in the harbour. He looked very happy and content and was the picture of health.
Now when I think of General Choi I think of this image and it makes me feel many emotions. I first feel a sense of warmth and happiness knowing that General Choi enjoyed his visit to our province and that I was able to personally know the legendary founder of Taekwon-Do. Then I feel an extremely strong feeling of sadness and emptiness, and sometimes anger, for I have lost my instructor and he can never be replaced.
I thank the moderator of this web site for giving me the opportunity to express my feelings in such an open forum. It can be very theraputic. I am planning on going to North Korea to pay my respects to General Choi. It is the least I can do for the man who has given me something that helped me believe in myself and helped me to become the person that I am today.
Taekwon!
Scott Downey, VI th Dan (C-6-19)
President, ITF Newfoundland
Stephen LeGrow
June 21, 2002
International Course in Mississauga
My favorite moment with General Choi was in the seminar in April 2001 in Mississauga, Ontario.
The participants were extremely quiet during this seminar. It was to the point that General Choi was starting to crack more jokes to get us smiling. He thought this group was too serious.
He was then explaining about the way we can identify a true Taekwon-Do technique by its realism and effect, regardless of sex, age and size.
He asked me to grab his small but strong wrist. I grabbed him with both hands on one of his wrists. At first he told me not to be afraid and grab more tightly. When I grabbed as tight as I could (and I am over 6 feet tall weighing over 200 lbs.) he asked if I was weak or strong? Then he released out of the grab and said "I win, he dead."
The sense of humour in the General Choi was incredible. He knew how to keep a seminar running smoothly while keeping it serious and fun at the same time. During the seminar while going back and forth performing fundamental exercises he stopped me and told me "you no need practice." "You help correct".
For me, it was also the first time he asked what my name was. I replied my name is Steven LeGrow from Ottawa sir. He gave me this face like he didn't care where I was from and then said "You very good". That was one of the best compliments a practitioner could have.
I will never forget the founder. I have attended 4 of his seminars and I believe that a man such as this one will never be replacable. I will ensure that I continue to follow his teachings of this wonderful art to which we all owe great thanks to this great General.
Taekwon
Steven LeGrow
C-4-97
Earl Wiess
June 21, 2002
Chicago and Newfoundland
Certainly, hosting General Choi here in Chicago was a highlight. Spending time informally revealed a wealth of information. A second highlight was at a dinner in Newfoundland at the 2001 course. GM Park was present as was Master Lu, the host, Mr. Downey, Mr. Stanley, and others. General Choi asked us "Do you think General Choi will live forever?" To which I replied, "So long as people do Taekwon-Do, General Choi will live forever."
Earl Weiss
Phil Mageau
June 21, 2002
Instructor Seminar
This is not my favourite moment, but it is the one I remember most...
I was attending an International Instructor Seminar, which was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 98, and I volunteered? to demonstrate Do-San. After performing the pattern General Choi ripped it to shreds. While executing the straight fingertip thrust he decided to go into a long in-depth explanation of the move. I had a friend videotape the seminar; he told me that I was holding that move for 8 and a half minutes.
While doing the pattern I didn't really notice the length of time I was holding the move, but once I thought about it and attempted to match that time, I realized that's a long time to hold a straight fingertip.
My favourite moment would be when I demonsrtated Chon-Ji with another black belt, one of General Choi's little competitions, as he called them; this was also at an Instructor Seminar in '95. He asked the crowd whose was better, the vote went 50-50, so he choose me!
I hope he enjoys the FUTURE of his Martial Art!
Phil Mageau
June 20, 2002
Colorado Texas Steakhouse
My favourite moment was meeting our Founder at the first seminar back in the seventies when I was just a teenager. I have been lucky enough to have several moments with General Choi, along with Master Lang where we shared bulgulgi and kimchi at a favorite Denver, CO restaurant.
However, one of the moments that makes me smile is the time we were celebrating a post testing dinner here in Denver, CO at a Texas style steak house. This specific steakhouse is known for cutting off the tie of the visiting Guest who is being honoured. We all didn't know how to explain to General Choi that a female server would be approaching him with a pair of scissors to cut his tie off and mount it on the wall where he would sign his name from his homeland.
It was quite a discussion between the black belts, and the servers didn't quite understand that we needed to approach this delicately.
We tried as best we could to explain the concept to General Choi. That this was a custom, tradition and an honour for the event. He said softly as he wasn't quite sure of the intent, "No custom." We talked a little bit more about the tradition of a visitor, especially of his status and what an honour it would be to have his tie on the wall. There was quite a discussion going back and forth between General Choi and the Senior black belts as the Female Server approached. It was an uneasy moment as General Choi's eyes got a little bigger. I think everyone in the room was holding their breath, and snip. There was a beat, and she lead him over to the wall where they mounted the portion of his tie to the wall. General Choi signed it and turned around with a grin, not saying anything, but if you read it right, it said, "You funny Gringo's." The rest of the night was spent with dining and the celebration of Taekwon Do.
Yours in Taekwon Do,
Jack Martin, A-3-560
ITF/YOMCHI
Scott Downey
June 20, 2002
The Battery Hotel on Signal Hill
My favourite moment was during General Choi's historic visit to Newfoundland in March, 2001. During his first night in St. John's, Myself, my wife, General Choi, GM Park Joong Soo, and Master Phap Lu went to the Battery Hotel on Signal Hill for Dinner.
We sat at a table which had an excellent view of St. John's Harbour. I can clearly picture General Choi sitting in his chair with his arms folded and a huge smile on his face. He had just finished his meal and was looking out the window at the beautiful view of the harbour lights and the boats that were docked in the harbour. He looked very happy and content and was the picture of health.
Now when I think of General Choi I think of this image and it makes me feel many emotions. I first feel a sense of warmth and happiness knowing that General Choi enjoyed his visit to our province and that I was able to personally know the legendary founder of Taekwon-Do. Then I feel an extremely strong feeling of sadness and emptiness, and sometimes anger, for I have lost my instructor and he can never be replaced.
I thank the moderator of this web site for giving me the opportunity to express my feelings in such an open forum. It can be very theraputic. I am planning on going to North Korea to pay my respects to General Choi. It is the least I can do for the man who has given me something that helped me believe in myself and helped me to become the person that I am today.
Taekwon!
Scott Downey, VI th Dan (C-6-19)
President, ITF Newfoundland
Stephen LeGrow
June 21, 2002
International Course in Mississauga
My favorite moment with General Choi was in the seminar in April 2001 in Mississauga, Ontario.
The participants were extremely quiet during this seminar. It was to the point that General Choi was starting to crack more jokes to get us smiling. He thought this group was too serious.
He was then explaining about the way we can identify a true Taekwon-Do technique by its realism and effect, regardless of sex, age and size.
He asked me to grab his small but strong wrist. I grabbed him with both hands on one of his wrists. At first he told me not to be afraid and grab more tightly. When I grabbed as tight as I could (and I am over 6 feet tall weighing over 200 lbs.) he asked if I was weak or strong? Then he released out of the grab and said "I win, he dead."
The sense of humour in the General Choi was incredible. He knew how to keep a seminar running smoothly while keeping it serious and fun at the same time. During the seminar while going back and forth performing fundamental exercises he stopped me and told me "you no need practice." "You help correct".
For me, it was also the first time he asked what my name was. I replied my name is Steven LeGrow from Ottawa sir. He gave me this face like he didn't care where I was from and then said "You very good". That was one of the best compliments a practitioner could have.
I will never forget the founder. I have attended 4 of his seminars and I believe that a man such as this one will never be replacable. I will ensure that I continue to follow his teachings of this wonderful art to which we all owe great thanks to this great General.
Taekwon
Steven LeGrow
C-4-97
Earl Wiess
June 21, 2002
Chicago and Newfoundland
Certainly, hosting General Choi here in Chicago was a highlight. Spending time informally revealed a wealth of information. A second highlight was at a dinner in Newfoundland at the 2001 course. GM Park was present as was Master Lu, the host, Mr. Downey, Mr. Stanley, and others. General Choi asked us "Do you think General Choi will live forever?" To which I replied, "So long as people do Taekwon-Do, General Choi will live forever."
Earl Weiss
Phil Mageau
June 21, 2002
Instructor Seminar
This is not my favourite moment, but it is the one I remember most...
I was attending an International Instructor Seminar, which was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 98, and I volunteered? to demonstrate Do-San. After performing the pattern General Choi ripped it to shreds. While executing the straight fingertip thrust he decided to go into a long in-depth explanation of the move. I had a friend videotape the seminar; he told me that I was holding that move for 8 and a half minutes.
While doing the pattern I didn't really notice the length of time I was holding the move, but once I thought about it and attempted to match that time, I realized that's a long time to hold a straight fingertip.
My favourite moment would be when I demonsrtated Chon-Ji with another black belt, one of General Choi's little competitions, as he called them; this was also at an Instructor Seminar in '95. He asked the crowd whose was better, the vote went 50-50, so he choose me!
I hope he enjoys the FUTURE of his Martial Art!
Phil Mageau
