FORWARD to Testimonials received
by Sahun Anthony Manning VII 'Chill' Dan B.U.T.F. in close consultation with Grandmaster Choy

Master Raymond M. K. Choy IX - Grandmaster, was the first 8th Dan confirmed by the Founder Gen. Choi Hong Hi himself (ITF Certificate GB-8-1) in the UK, and only the second person to now ascend to the status of Grandmaster in the UK. He is also the first person in the U.K., having commenced training as a white belt to reach Grandmaster status. The principle of being promoted to the point of incompetence is not relevant here. His history and pedigree is very transparent for all to see. He has not taken any shortcuts or accelerated Dan grades; he has served his time, faithfully and with integrity, and deserves the honour and title of "Sasung"; Grandmaster.

The first person was Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha IX who has just celebrated his tenth anniversary in the rank, having been despatched in 1967 by Gen. Choi to promote Taekwon-Do further in this country. He saw it fit in the March of 1986 to place in the care of Grandmaster Choy the Taekwon-do grounding of his own son Andrew Rhee, currently a 6th Dan in the UKTA, who progressed successfully up to the coveted Black Belt before having to sever relationships with Grandmaster Choy due to extenuating circumstances beyond the control of both. What a credit to Grandmaster Choy, and a testimony of how highly he is regarded by Grandmaster Rhee.

A Grandmaster is a Master of Masters, someone who has excelled in a field to a level beyond that of others. It is someone who is world class. The grandmaster is the head or father figure of many, someone with great experience and wisdom, moving beyond just physical manifestation to a mental level that transcends just doing what everyone else does. Someone who brings a new insight that moves that field forward.

All the above apply to Grandmaster Choy and more. Grandmaster Choy's introduction of the sixth tenet; Humility, has been adopted internationally. For those of you who have been up close to him, you will experience a man with a bottomless pit of energy and drive to perfect the Art that was founded by General Choi Hong HI; Taekwon-Do. He is very much like a prism, with so many different perspectives.

I have known Grandmaster Choy for many years and I am still in awe of his knowledge of this Art and some of the great Korean Masters he has rubbed shoulders with. He has a tremendous mind for detail and can rivet you with some of his anecdotal stories. Some of the Masters today started with or were highly influenced by Grandmaster Choy. There are many Masters both in the UK and abroad that have been under his Instruction, interestingly some of those who started with him as children, now claim to have been training longer than him in this Art.

There are now 8th and 7th Dans: Master Tham Ying Au, Master Lakhbir Sangha, Master Roger Koo, Master Marshall Pereira, Master Trevor Nicholls, Master Wayne Brown, Master Donato Nardizzi, Master James Hogan, Master Ted Wolf, Master Ian Lawes, Master George Dosoo and myself Master Anthony Manning. Some are leading their own federations and associations, some have moved on to other things, but the seeds were planted by Grandmaster Choy, or he was instrumental in them achieving these very high grades in the art in the years they were with him. "A Master of Masters". The number of people that have achieved the coveted black belt and moved on to senior grades such as 4th, 5th and 6th Dans, is endless; what a fantastic legacy. It is therefore truly fitting for him to move to his rightful position and fulfil his destiny.

For most of you he has been your Instructor or Examiner, for me he has been all of those things and more. For nearly two decades he had also been my friend.

Congratulations Sasung Grandmaster Raymond Meng Kwong Choy IX

PLEASE NOTE: Further testimonials or acknowledgments may be emailed to headoffice@butf.com with the subject line "Grandmaster Promotion". We will endeavour to publish all appropriate messages.

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