On this Father’s Day, we take a moment to honor not only our biological fathers, but also the men whose wisdom, care, and guidance have shaped our lives in profound ways. Among them stands General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do, who was, in every sense, a father to a global family.
General Choi did more than create a martial art. He gave birth to a movement, one rooted in discipline, respect, perseverance, and indomitable spirit. As the founder, he watched over the art with the eyes of a guardian and nurtured its growth with the heart of a father.
From Korea to the far corners of the world, he travelled tirelessly, teaching, correcting, encouraging, and inspiring. Every black belt he tied, every hand he shook, every story he told, they were acts of a man who saw his students not as followers, but as sons and daughters of Taekwon-Do.
He was not perfect, like any father, but his love for Taekwon-Do and for those who dedicated themselves to it was never in question. Students often describe the deep bond they felt with him, a connection that transcended culture and language. They felt seen. They felt valued. They felt loved. And even today, many practitioners speak his name with the same reverence one reserves for a beloved parent.
To be a father is to leave a legacy, not only in name, but in values passed down through generations. General Choi’s legacy lives on in every dojang where courtesy, integrity, and self-control are taught. It lives in every instructor who puts their students first, and in every practitioner who bows with sincerity before beginning their training. His lessons echo in our lives, far beyond the mat.
So today, on Father’s Day, we remember General Choi not just as the founder of Taekwon-Do, but as a father to us all, a man who gave us not just a way to defend ourselves, but a way to live with honor and purpose.
Thank you, General Choi. Your children around the world remember you.
Grandmaster Sanders
