Nothing is impossible to a willing mind. Especially if you have the mind of Grandmaster Soo Kon Kim, U.S. Super Grand Champion and Korean National Champion.  To list all of Grandmaster Kim’s accomplishments in tournaments over the years would be impressive. His feats were actually showcased in the 1981 Martial Arts calendar. In addition, he founded the Universal Tae Kwon Do Association in 1982 and has authored two books and complete videotapes on Taekwondo, of which have been advertised in martial arts magazines for nearly three decades.

But these accomplishments are not nearly as impressive as listening to Grandmaster Soo Kon Kim himself. The philosophy of having a positive attitude is the most defining feature of Soo Kon Kim’s outlook on daily living. “If you believe you can do, you can do.” This is the root of his principles for living and reflecting on his life, one easily sees why this concept is his north star.

Inspired at an early age by an uncle, Soo Kim, who even as a youngster enjoyed kicking (his favorite sport was initially soccer) began his martial arts studies without his parents’ approval. One of his teachers was the great Grandmaster Dong Keun Park. In a very short time, Kim came to love the art and developed the desire to be the best at it—to be, as he put it, a “Superman.” To be a “Superman,” you have to be the best, and Grandmaster Kim believed that he was.

That belief led to the impressive list of titles that he holds. He was the 1970 Bronze medalist, the Korean National Champion in 1967, 1972 and 1973, the New York Grand Champion in 1974, and the U.S. Super Grand Champion in 1976. While studying economics at Korea University, Grandmaster Kim wondered which direction his life would take. His education was put on hold to be a Taekwondo instructor to Korean and Vietnam Special Air Force troops.

 

During this period, he was selected to serve as the representative competitor for the 540,000 member R.O. Korean army. It was during this time that he decided not to prove himself to others, but to himself. He began testing himself against other fighters and regional champions to test his own confidence and skill. It just so happened that his strong belief in himself merged with the talent he possessed and he did indeed prove to himself that he was capable of being the best.

On his return to college in 1973, he became captain of Korea University’s Taekwondo team. Under his leadership, the team won the championship that year. In 1974 he was selected to travel to the United States through a cultural exchange program, in which he was to introduce the art of Taekwondo to the people of the U.S. as its foremost representative. Once again, the “best” won out.

It was during this trip that he defeated some of the top 10 United States karate fighters, including Mike Warren, silver medalist at the World Taekwondo Championships in New York. Grandmaster Kim won the championship and an $800 cash prize.

After three months instructing and competing in several cities in the United States, he returned to Korea to finish his studies and operated his own Taekwondo school in Seoul. It was while he was in the U.S. that he realized that his future was in instruction and passing on his love of the philosophies that had brought him to this point in his life. Martial arts had spilled over into every aspect of Grandmaster Kim’s life. It was that discipline and desire to be the best that led him to test his potential and his self-confidence, and ultimately compete again in 1976. In Madison, Wisconsin, he claimed the Super Grand Champion title.

On August 1, 1976, without money, a car, or a place to live, Grandmaster Kim opened his first Taekwondo school in Peoria, Illinois. On August 18, 1976, his school got its first front page feature in the newspaper. As a result, Grandmaster Kim’s school drew attention from the general public, which enabled him and the school to survive.

In 1978, he was appointed as an International Referee by the World Taekwondo Federation. Since then, he worked continuously to promote the art of Taekwondo throughout the world. He has visited India, Cyprus, and numerous cities throughout the United States.

 

Grandmaster Kim credits every success in his life—from his championship titles, to his family and presidency of the Universal Tae Kwon Do Association—to the discipline he learned from Taekwondo. That is why he has dedicated his life to teaching the art coupled with the attitude of total belief in self. Winning medals is not the end goal but rather being the best that you can be is the key to success.

 

To perfect technique and fully develop one’s character are the most important concepts Grandmaster Kim wants his students to learn. To be the best in one’s life is the message of Grandmaster Kim. Being the best means believing that you can be; having a willing mind in which NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

 

On August 25, 2011, Grandmaster Soo Kon Kim was inducted into the official Taekwondo Hall of Fame. The award was presented for his dedication and contribution in popularizing Taekwondo in Korea, Vietnam, Cyprus, India and the United States over the past 40 years.