Choi HongHi

Position : Founding President of IMGC

Born on Nov 9, 1918 in Haga myon, Myongchon County, North Hamgyong Province, DPRK (now Hwadae County, North Hamgyong Province). In his childhood he learned calligraphy and Taek Kyon, the Korean martial art, under the care of his parents and Han Il Dong, a famous teacher. Before and after the defeat of the Japanese imperialism, he, with the dream to further develop the Korean martial art, started studying martial arts in 1946 and created Taekwondo on April 11, 1955. Later, he spread Taekwondo worldwide. On March 22, 1966 he founded the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). In April 1968 he formed the Asia Taekwondo Federation, in June 1979 the Europe Taekwondo Federation, in 1987 Pan-America Taekwondo Federation, and in 1994 Ocean Taekwondo Federation. In 1969 he arranged the Asian Taekwondo Tournament, the very first international Taekwondo games, in 1974 the 1st Taekwondo World Championship, and in 1993 the 1st Junior Taekwondo World Championship, all of which served as the beginning of the international Taekwondo games and prelude to their development. In September 1999 he formed the International Martial-arts Games Committee in Argentina to be its first Chairman. During his term of IMGC President from 1999-2002 he laid the groundwork for the development of IMGC. Gen. Choi Hong Hi made a tour to over 80 countries over the world in his lifetime, giving Taekwondo demonstration performances, conducting seminars, and meeting over 20 heads of states and over 100 public figures and VIPs in the political, public, scientific and martial art circles to spread Taekwondo.