Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee
Master Jhoon Rhee is a world-renowned 10th Degree Black Belt. Through his expertise and knowledge of Martial Arts, he has earned the title of "Father of US Tae Kwon Do". He is well known nationally and internationally as the Founder and Chairman of the Jhoon Rhee Institute, and for his affiliation with over 60 Tae Kwon Do studios in the United States, and 65 studios in the former Soviet Union. Master Rhee has shared his Martial Arts skills with over 300 U.S. Congress members and a host of noted personalities such as Muhammad Ali, Tony Robbins, Jack Valenti, Bob Livingston, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Nick Smith and Mike Espy. In 1983 he was captured as "Man of the Year" in Black Belt Magazine. He was also featured on the cover of Parade Magazine as a senior citizen fitness model. Locally, in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do institutions in the Washington, DC area, Mayor Anthony Williams, proclaimed June 28, 2003 as "The Jhoon Rhee Day".
As a citizen of the United States, Master Rhee was appointed as the National Chairman of the July 4th, 1983 Nation's Birthday Celebration. Master Rhee was the only Korean American, who made one of the 203 most famous immigrants in U.S. History by the U.S. Immigration Office and American Immigrants Forum, along with Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Kissinger and others. In March of 1999, Master Rhee received the American Immigrants Achievement Award for his work and service with immigrants.
Under President George H.W. Bush Sr.'s administration, Master Rhee was appointed as a Special Advisor to the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. With his continued commitment to a healthy life and a strong well being, Master Rhee has made this program a huge success across the country.
Master Rhee has shown to be multi-talented in his career. He is a well accomplished writer with the publication of five books on Tae Kwon Do. He has served as creator and choreographer for a Martial Arts Ballet. In 1973, his talent in film acting was apparent when he appeared as the leading actor in "Sting of the Dragon Masters". He has conducted numerous motivational seminars in the United States, and abroad to include Moscow and Japan. He has received many social awards such as the 1970 Black Belt Hall of Fame of Martial Arts award, the 1976 Martial Arts Man of the Century award, and the Life Time Achievement Award from the Professional Martial Arts Magazine of Florida. Master Rhee was also recognized as the 721st "Daily Point of Light" by President Bush. He continues to conduct a radio talk show on Tae Kwon Do philosophy to the Soviet Union through Voice of America, United States Information Agency.
What People Say About Jhoon Rhee
* "Dear Jhoon, Your generosity and willingness to serve others merit the highest praise, and I am pleased to recognize you as the 721 Daily Point of Light." GEORGE BUSH
* "Master Rhee taught me Accu-Punch; it is so fast, you can hardly se it." MUHAMMUD ALI
* "Master Jhoon Rhee stands tall among all great people of the world I met."
Chairman and CEO of the Parade Magazine WALTER ANDERSON
* "I think Taekwondo can be useful for any age. I am 64; Master Rhee is 61, but he is wonderfully flexible, so he is my idol. Former Speaker TOM FOLEY
* "Master Rhee is the greatest American I know." Former Speaker-elect BOB LIVINGSTON
* "To Tae Kwon Do Grand Master Jhoon Rhee, whose constant love, loyalty and knowledge inspire me to greater accomplishment. I respectfully bow to you, sir."
World Renowned Motivational Speaker TONY ROBBINS
* I might say Master Jhoon Rhee has become a national treasure."
Congressman IKE SKELTON
* "Master Rhee defies the assumed rush of the years. He is an ageless patriot, whose brand of unbreakable loyalty is seldom seen, which is why he is honored by his friends.
CEO, MPAA JACK VALENTI
* "You have certainly impacted a lot of people and I am grateful I can call you my friend." Public Speaker ZIG ZIGLAR
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