Warwick. Chosun Taekwondo Academy hosts tribute for martial arts legend
| 05 Dec 2021 | 01:45
More than 40 students from six schools across the tri-state area assembled for the 2021 Grandmaster Richard Chun Tribute Seminar held at the Chosun Taekwondo Academy in Warwick on Nov. 21. Photos provided bythe Chosun Taekwondo Academy.
Grandmaster Brad Shipp performs a high twist kick.
Grandmaster Doug Cook, owner of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy, president of the United States Taekwondo Association and a senior student of Richard Chun for more than years, sponsored the memorial celebration, simultaneously broadcast globally on the Zoom platform.
On Sunday, Nov. 21, more than 40 students from six schools across the tri-state area assembled for the 2021 Grandmaster Richard Chun Tribute Seminar held at the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located at 60 Galloway Road in Warwick.
They were there to pay their respect to a true icon of the Korean martial arts on the fourth anniversary of his passing.
Taekwondo pioneer and legend Grandmaster Richard Chun, 9th degree black belt and one of the highest-ranking master instructors within the borders of the United States, passed away on Nov. 15, 2017. He was best known for his landmark textbooks, “Tae Kwon Do: The Korean Martial Art and Advancing in Tae Kwon Do,” which serve as a blueprint for traditional taekwondo schools worldwide.
Grandmaster Doug Cook, owner of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy, president of the United States Taekwondo Association and a senior student of Richard Chun for more than years, sponsored the memorial celebration, simultaneously broadcast globally on the ZOOM platform. The program opened with a video retrospective depicting Grandmaster Chun’s contributions to taekwondo, followed by five, one-hour sessions taught by Grandmaster Brad Shipp, Grandmaster Richard Conceicao and Master Raul Acevedo, in tandem with Grandmaster Cook. Physical training consisted of martial meditation, flexibility exercises, basic technique, sword and fighting staff skills, self-defense drills and execution of poomsae – the choreographed, dance-like formal exercises unique to taekwondo.
“It was humbling to see so many martial artists from various institutes paying respect to the legacy of Grandmaster Chun,” Cook said. “My teacher was a giant in the martial arts community. I am just honored that, in my smallness, I was accepted by him as a disciple, endlessly benefiting from his wisdom. I miss him daily.”
For information, visit www.chosuntkd.com, call (845) 986-2288, or email the school at info@chosuntkd.com.