KWAN CHANG NIM

JAE CHUL SHIN

8th DAN

Founder of the World Tang Soo Do Association

He was born in Korea in 1936, and began his long and distinguished career in martial arts at the age of twelve. During his childhood, an unknown monk initially inspired in him a strong desire to learn martial arts. Later he joined Seoul Moo Duk Kwan central gym and began serious study under Master Hwang Kee, founder of the Korean Moo Duk Kwan system.

By the time he was first Dan, he had started his teaching career as an assistant instructor at the central gym. After that, he taught at Korea University, Seoul Central YMCA, various colleges, different police and military institutions and numerous other places. His many years of teaching experience and his extreme dedication have added to his scientific unique methods of teaching Tang Soo Do. His six fields of expertise include self-defence, forms, breaking, weapons, health care, and meditation. He has evolved these separate arts into one of the finest and most effective martial arts: THE WORLD TANG SOO DO ASSOCIATION.

When he was recruited to the Korean Air Force in 1958, he had his first experience teaching American soldiers. In 1968, after receiving his Master's Degree in Political Science from Korea University, he came to the United States in order to extend his instruction of foreign students.

The year he came to the United States of America, Black Belt magazine honoured him for all time by devoting a full chapter to him in the book "20th Century Warriors", putting him in the company of the most legendary martial arts figures ever!

He established the U.S. Tang Soo Do Federation in 1968 at his first school in Burlington, New Jersey. The organization expanded to all part of America and foreign countries, but because of new international demands, he had to restructure the organization. He then created the all-new "World Tang Soo Do Association" with twelve member countries, and on November 13 1982, the Charter Convention proclaimed him Grandmaster.

Grandmaster Shin, one of the most respected and well-known masters in this century, is one of the few masters who have devoted his entire life to the fighting arts. He is responsible for the training and certifications of over 5000 Black Belts.

Besides insisting on disciplined, rigorous training and exacting techniques he has always preached that the true value of martial arts training is in the application to everyday life. Teaching children is one of Grandmaster Shin's favourite pas times and he has become an expert in child development. His advice to his Black Belt instructors is good advice for teachers of all kinds. "When examining your abilities as an instructor, examine your young student's manner, attitude, school reports and health condition. Their improvements should mirror your own".

The demands of the World Tang Soo Do Association require that Grandmaster Shin travel all over the world responding to the requests for his instruction.

Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin, creator of the World Tang Soo Do Association, is a true leader, teacher, master of masters and humanitarian.

Source: student's manual by The World Tang Soo Do Association

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