THE MARTIAL ARTS OF TIGER KIM’S ACADEMY
Tiger Kim’s Academy since 1976, has incorporated the three major Korean martial arts of Taekwondo, Tang
Soo Do and Hapkido. Founded by Grandmaster Tiger Kim, the school reflects his many years
of diverse martial arts training.
Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do are the main components and the primary focus at Tiger Kim’s which certifies
black belts throughout the world from its headquarters in Seoul, Korea (The Kukkiwon).
Literally, Taekwondo means “the way of the foot and the hand”. The History and Traditions of Taekwondo can
be traced back into ancient times in Korea. Many of the long-standing traditions are still upheld at Tiger Kim’s
Academy. At this academy, students learn various forms (Poom Sae) from the arts of Taekwondo and Tang Soo
Do. They also learn self-defense and sparring techniques which are practiced with a partner. During
Taekwondo class, each student wears a white uniform (Do Bok) with the belt of their rank. Beyond the physical
techniques, students also learn the traditions of respect and discipline.
Taekwondo Promotion Rank Testing is held every three months (March, June, September and December)
normally the first week of the month. Testing gives the students the opportunity to increase their rank by
performing physical techniques, and demonstrating knowledge via a written and or oral test. Testing is not only
to increase rank, it is also a learning experience designed to increase the students’ knowledge. With dedication,
perseverance and commitment towards one’s goad; a Black Belt can be earned within two and a half years by
an average student.
Physical fitness and knowledge of self-defense are only part of the rewards of be coming a Black Belt. One also
learns confidence, discipline and self-control. A well-trained martial artist does not use his skill carelessly or
out of fear, but instead uses it only when he or she has no other choice. Resolving a situation without conflict
is the highest of ideals and achievements.
Taekwondo is an Official Olympic sport with competitors in on over 200 countries. It is recognized by the United
States Taekwondo, United States Olympic and International Olympic Committees. Taekwondo is an Olympic sport.
Competitors must still observe the traditions of respect, self-control and good sportsmanship. Because Taekwondo primarily uses foot techniques and incorporates traditional values during competition, it was selected as an Olympic sport.
Tang Soo Do is another part of Tiger Kim’s Academy, many of the techniques and philosophies of Tang Soo
Do are the same as those of Taekwondo. Tang Soo Do training also involves the practice of various weapons
for increased concentration, exercise and use in competitions and demonstrations. For this reason, Black Belts
trained by Grandmaster Tiger Kim and Master Tiger Kim are qualified as Black Belts by the Tiger Kim’s Academy, World Taekwondo Federation, Kukkiwon in Seoul, Korea and the World Taekwondo Moo Duk Gwon.
Hapkido is also taught as part of Tiger Kim’s Academy curriculum. Hapkido is taught as a self defense when
you cannot kick or when you’re being grabbed. Hapkido incorporates Taekwondo techniques as well as
Taekwondo blocks, strikes and kicks. The Hapkido arsenal includes grabbing, throwing, falling, jumping, and
joint locking techniques.
During class, students wear white uniforms. Black Belts can wear black uniforms and Instructors can wear red
uniforms. The colored uniforms deserve high respect as Instructors train over ten years before they have a class
to teach.
Chronology of Grandmaster Tiger Kim
1936 • Feb. 23, Grandmaster Kim was born in Seoul Korea.
1942 • Father introduced him to Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo at age 6.
1947 • Awarded 1st Dan Black Belt # 123 by Grandmaster Hwang Kee.
1957 • Attended Don Kuk College, Majoring in Political Science.
1958 • Graduated Korean Special Marine course ROK.
1961 • ROK Marines Special Forces Martial Arts Instructor.
1962 • Asian Martial Arts Demonstration Team Member in Tokyo, Japan.
1963 • Korean Police College Taekwondo Instructor
1966 • Passed to FBI CIDC Korean Police Investigator
1967 • Instructor at Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Headquarters
1969 • Grandmaster Kim went to Hong Kong to teach Bruce Lee the art of breaking with the head.
• Instructor for Special Task Force, US Army 2nd Infantry Division.
1971 • Grand Champion Sparring All Asian Games Championship. (Super bowl of martial arts)
1974 • Captain Korean police CID, Uijongbu, Camp Casey Korea
1975 • Awarded 8th Dan Black Belt, Master Instructor by Kukkiwon. (Taekwondo Headquarters)
1976 • Came to USA and opened Tiger Kim’s Academy in Denver, Colorado
1984 • Sponsored Denver’s first National Open Tournament at East High School
1985 • Honorary Lieutenant, Denver Police Department by Chief Coogan
1986 • Opened World Martial Arts Supply store Denver’s Only full line supplier
I 987 • Elected President of AAU Taekwondo Association
1988 • Invited to Olympics in Seoul, Korea by Korean Government as Taekwondo Judge.
1989 • Sponsored Pan Am Cup National Tournament at East High School.
Appointed Regional Director of the Pan American Moo Duk Kwan Association.
President of the Colorado ROK Marines Association.
Promoted to Hon. Captain, Denver Police by Chief Zavaras,
1990 • President of Korean People’s Colorado Taekwondo Association.
1991 • Renovated Tiger Kim’s Academy 12,000sq, ft. facilities with Olympic boxing ring.
• Awarded 9th Dan, International Grandmaster by Moo Duk Kwan Korean Taekwondo Association.
1992 • Grand opening of new headquarters February 22, with special guests Grandmaster Moo Yung Lee
•, Aurora Mayor Paul Tauer, and Denver District Attorney Norm Early.
1993 • USTU State President Colorado State Taekwondo Association. Hosted Colorado State championships,
• CO State at East High School with largest record turnout of schools and students.
1994 • Delegate for Korean Taekwondo Association as USA Branch Representative .
Special Instructor for world famous Korean Tigers Demo Team. Taught special breaking and training techniques.
Delegate for 15 Moo Duk Kwan schools in Korea, stressing quality of character in martial arts education. Along
with Jae Kyu Chon, President of World Moo Duk Kwan Federation, and Choon-Seon Hwang, Vice President of the
Kukkiwon and the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA), attended the Moo Duk Kwan Hae organizational summit,
which oversees 30,000 Moo Duk Kwan schools in the world.
1995 • Recognized for two decades of martial arts excellence, and life changing impact on thousands of Denver area residents.
Founded Tiger Kim’s Rocky Mountain National Open: the first tournament to award beautiful, ornate, tempered
steel swords for champion adult sparring as well as spirit and sportsmanship.
Awarded Meritrious Cornmcdndation from the Pan American Moo Duk Kwan Society
1996 • At the personal request of Chuck Norris, movie star and founder of “Kick Drugs Out of America” charity, attended a
private reception in Beverly Hills, in celebration Mr. Norris receiving his 8th Dan Black Belt. Other notables
attending included Lou Ferigno, Gary Shandling, Todashi Yumashita, Jeff Speakman, Bob Wall, and more.
Director, Pan American Moo Duk Kwan Strategic and Organizational Planning Committee.
1997 • Hosted Tiger Kim’s Rocky Mountain National Open in Denver, a popular tournament attended by competitors from
all across the United States, and a qualifier for international caliber events.
Offered the position of President of Pan American Moo Duk Kwan Society.
1998 • Invited to a personal conference with Dr. Un Yong Kim, President of the World Taekwondo Federation, to discuss
long range goals and objectives of the sport/art, and was invited to help oversee the historical participation of Taekwondo
as a full medal sport in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. At the request of Dr. Un Yong Kim, headed a
council on ethics and philosophy of Korean and American Instructors in the USA.
First school in western region and only in Colorado to install the Ssaurabi Robotic Training Facility, where Grand-
master Kim oversees a large Group of instructors, including senior instructors Sung Kim
7th Dan (son of Grandmaster Kim), Don Schultz 5th Dan, Stephen Bishop M.D. 5th Dan, Barry Karp 4th Dan, Greg Lester 4th Dan, John Craig 4th Dan, John Dalton 4th Dan, and many others. Tiger Kim’s Academy is the only school in Colorado to offer such a concentration of high-ranking instructors.Chronology of Grandmaster Jung Kil “Tiger” Kim
1999 • Out of 180 original ROK Marines who are retired and reside in Colorado, Grandmaster Kim has been nominated as
President of the Colorado Korean Association for year 2000. The Association has more than 30,000 members.
2000 • Coordinator of Tournament and Demonstration sponsored by Choong Chun Do Government and Choong Chung
College in Korea. This event was attended by competitors from 34 nations, and is world famous.
2000 • Hosted the 15th Annual America’s Cup Taekwondo Tournament at the Doubletree Hotel in Denver. This tournament
is one of Colorado’s premier championships. Grandmaster Kim is main sponsor and President of this very popular
tournament, and it had more than 700 people in attendance.
2001 • Awarded MVP from the Colorado Cup Committee
2002 • President of the World Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association
Provided at request a demonstration at the Sushi, Saki, and Sumo event at The Fillmore in Denver. This was a
fundraiser for women’s cancer research at University of Colorado Hospital, and was attended by more than 2,000
people. Tiger Kim’s academy was the only martial arts school invited to take part in this event.
Children’s Hospital fundraiser martial arts demonstration at Fort Carson, Colorado: The Master’s Demo, to raise
money for Children’s Hospital. This event was attended by many of the elite martial arts people in Colorado.
2003 • Grandmaster Kim leading the largest demo team in attendance at Elitch Garden’s Six Flags Martial Arts Day Demo.
TKA was the only school from Colorado to compete at the 21st North American Invitational TKD Championships.
Grandmaster Kim published the first martial arts text book that contains both “World Taekwondo Federation and
Moo Duk Kwon Tang Soo Do forms.
Grandmaster Kim received his induction into the esteemed Kentucky Col, by the gov. of Kentucky, Ernie Fletcher
2004 • TKA was the only school from Colorado to compete at the 22nd North American Invitational TKD Championships.
Inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of fame.
Moo Gung Hwa Taekwondo Grandmaster Society inducted as only Grandmaster from Colorado.
Appointed as the USA/Korea Taekwondo Liaison by KNTO to help bond US and Korea relations 20 members of
Tiger Kim’s Academy headed by Grandmaster Kim represented the US at the "World Taekwondo Hwarang Festival
in Jincheon, South Korea. Grandmaster Kim and his team was the only team from Colorado to go with such a large
group of competitors. The purpose of the trip was to learn about the history of Korea, and to participate in a world
recognized event. The team members were to participate in a special class at the Kukkiwon taught by one of the
technical advisory committee members. The World Taekwondo Festival in Jincheon unites 35 countries spiritually,
culturally, and physically. Jincheon is considered the motherland of Taekwondo because of the great Kim, Yusin
who united the three kingdoms in the Hwarang. Jineheon is the homeland of the Hwarang.
2005 • Grandmaster Kim received his induction into the esteemed Alabama Col., by the Gov. of Alabama Mr. Bob Riley.
Awarded Honorary Public Service Commissioner for the State of Alabama.
Grandmaster Kim’s 70th Great Birthday Celebration held at the Forbidden City Restaurant. March 26th over 1000 people from Korea and the ROK Marines there to witness this great day.
Awarded Mayor’s Appreciation Certificate of recognition from the Mayor of Los Angeles.
Awarded 9Th Dan Black Belt in the United States Taekwondo Grandmasters Society.
South Korea to Ambassador Dr. Un Yong Kim and to release him. (This was a success.)
Appointed Professor by the International University of United States.
Past President Presidential Award by the Korean ROK Marines.
Appreciation award 60th Moo Duk Kwan Anniversary.
2006 • Presidential Physical Fitness Award and Medal presented by United States President G.W. Bush.
Recognized by Disney to do Partnership for Elite Championships for 2007.
Recognition Award for 30th Anniversary Moo Duk Kwan in Mexico.
2007 • Disney Sponsored America’s Cup Championship hosted by Grandmaster Tiger Kim, Denver’s largest Championship
to bring all styles of martial arts in one festival held at The National Western Complex.
2008 • Award of Excellence by the International Tang Soo Do Federation Moo Duk Kwan President Lee Kang UK.
Participation Award only school from Denver, Colorado at Hanmadang by Kukkiwon.
Participation Award in Colorado State TKD Grand Championship.
2nd year Disney Sponsored America’s Cup Championship hosted by Grandmaster Tiger Kim, Denver’s largest
Championship to bring all styles of martial arts in one festival held at the National Western Complex Arena.
Award of Appreciation from Disney and Tigerclaw Elite Championships Director.
2009 • Hosted Denver’s only true "Free Women’s self defense class” as Grandmaster Instructor with over 400 attendees.
2010 • Hosted “Women’s self defense class” as Grandmaster Instructor, all proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Research.
Hall of Fame Award from US Taekwondo Grandmaster Society.
Letter of Appointment from Kukkiwon on the Education Committee.
2011 Hosted The First Free GLBT Self Defense Class benefits The Center For advancing GLBT.
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