Grandmaster Hee Il Cho

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Grandmaster Hee Il Cho

Grandmaster Hee Il Cho, 9th Degree, Founder of the Action International Martial Arts Association (AIMAA).

Credited as one of the pioneers who helped introduce and popularize Tae Kwon Do throughout the western world.

06/26/2026

We are planning to liquidate DVD stock of Grandmaster Hee Il Cho's instructional library. Pricing will be $10 each with a minimum purchase of 5 DVDs. All DVDs are US NTSC system. We are only gauging interest at this time and posting these images to list the full library for reference. Hard copies of books are also available for purchase. Please email Jasmine Cho at [email protected] with titles you are interested in purchasing. Worldwide shipping is available, and costs will be charged accordingly.

As a reminder, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho's full instructional library has also been digitized and is currently available on Vimeo for purchase - https://vimeo.com/grandmasterheeilcho

12/22/2025

Grandmaster Amrit Kalcutt is one of AIMAA's longest-standing members who presides over the West Midlands Schools of Tae Kwon-Do in England. First encountering Grandmaster Cho in the early 1980s, we are grateful and inspired by his unwavering support and dedication to furthering the art of Tae Kwon Do while continuing to honor AIMAA traditions.

Grandmaster Amrit Kalcutt is one of four to be promoted to Grandmaster rank within AIMAA in the last 45 years alongside Grandmaster Philip Ameris, Grandmaster John Darcy, and Grandmaster Peter Byrne.

12/02/2025

On Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 2025, daughter Jasmine Cho presented a recognition of "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT" for Grandmaster Hee Il Cho and announced his induction into the Official Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame on behalf of Grandmaster Gerard Robbins, President and Founder and Grandmaster Tae Sun Kang, Vice President.

In addition to his inductions into the Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine Hall of Fame and Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame, Grandmaster Cho has also received dozens of proclamations, keys to cities, and accolades across the world. This Lifetime Achievement recognition by the Official Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame is a most befitting way to celebrate Grandmaster Cho's retirement and mark the end of an irreplaceable influence in contemporary martial arts history.

11/24/2025

Letter from Grandmaster Philip Ameris, AIMAA Technical Director and USA Director. This letter was read aloud yesterday, Sunday, November 23rd, during the AIMAA International Black Belt Test held in Honolulu, Hawai'i—the last test Grandmaster Cho presided over before his anticipated retirement from teaching later this week.

Grandmaster Philip Ameris is Grandmaster Cho's most senior student, first meeting him at age 19, and maintaining a close student-master relationship consistently over the years that has deepened into a strong, familial bond. Grandmaster Ameris presently continues to teach students in New Kensington, PA.

11/20/2025

Last night, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho, my father, shared openly and honestly about all he has been going through, and it was the most heartfelt demonstration of what I consider makes him the embodiment of a true master.

He recounted overcoming the many health hurdles he faced over the years from his open heart operation to surgery on his two shoulders, two surgeries on his spinal cord, and one major abdominal operation in addition to his strokes last year.

Yet at age 85, he perseveres and comes alive as soon as he steps into the dojang, energized even more by the presence of his students—his most senior students now approaching 70 years themselves. It’s the responsibility my father has felt and committed to so unwaveringly to carry on the art of Tae Kwon Do. To show by living example what it means to honor your art, live by your principles, and embody integrity.

He chose to keep quiet about what he thought made him “old” and “weak,” but his resilience in the face of such human vulnerability is what I think makes him so superhuman and why generations of students around the world continue to praise him and aspire to emulate his spirit.

I am constantly awed to be his daughter, and those of us who got to be his students have truly been part of a historic, living and breathing legacy.

-Jasmine Cho

11/18/2025

Wishing safe and pleasant travels to everyone visiting AIMAA Headquarters Hawai'i this week. We look forward to seeing you all and training together very soon!

11/07/2025

Anyone able to come is welcome to attend 🥋

11/02/2025

Over the weekend, Hawai'i Headquarters welcomed young AIMAA students from Aiea who train under Mrs. Cathy Arcalas, a long-time senior student of Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. Making the days count until Grandmaster Cho's retirement at the end of the month 🙏

10/17/2025

Grandmaster Hee Il Cho will now be moving up his retirement to the end of November. We greatly look forward to welcoming AIMAA members from around the world and celebrate his remarkable lifetime of dedication to Tae Kwon Do together.

Address

Honolulu, HI

Telephone

+18083968900

Website

https://chostaekwondo.com/

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