How many Tae Kwon Do masters are there?

Answer 1

"Master" is a title conferred upon an instructor by his own teacher or Grandmaster. These titles are dependant upon the organization, and are usually not automatic with specific ranks, but require a minimum rank to attain, as well as additional training, dedication and service to the art of Taekwondo. The title of Instructor, Master, or Grandmaster is only valid within the organization issuing such a title, but is often respected and widely accepted throughout the Taekwondo community when it comes from a legitimately recognized source.

Some organizations, such as the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) require a minimum of 7th-8th degree (dan) for Master, and only one individual, the current President, is a 9th and Grand Master.

In most Taekwondo organizations, the title of Master is first eligible to those 4th Dan and higher. In older times, a 5th or even 6th Dan was required for Master as this was the lowest rank that could run a Dojang (Taekwondo School). The World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea called the Kukkiwon requires an instructor to be a certified 4th Dan or higher to be able to issue geup certificates (for color belts) in his/her name, and to recommend students for Black Belt certificates from the Kukkiwon. Although the title Master is not defined by the Kukkiwon, it is left to the Kwanjang (Grandmaster) of an organization to decide what titles to use and at what rank.

Answer 2

There are, for the most part, 9 dans (or degrees) when it comes to a taekwondo black belt that can be achieved.

what i mean by 'for the most part': there are only about five 10th dan belts that have ever been issued (and only one to a person who was still alive when it was awarded) to persons who were considered to have added great accomplishment to the art.

Answer 3

A Master is an Instructor who has learned the art well enough to instruct other black Belts. Although there are typically minimum rank requirements, the title of "Master Instructor" is level of teaching credentials, and is separate from rank promotions. It is conferred upon a Black Belt by their teacher or Grandmaster. It differs from one organization to the next, and there is no specific mention of qualifications for "Master" by the kukkiwon criteria for promotions. However, the Kukkiwon does require that an Instructor to be at least 4th Dan in order to be permitted to issue geup certificates (for color belts) in their name, or to recommend students for Black Belt Dan ranks through the Kukkiwon.

Answer 4

In Taekwondo, titles such as "Instructor," "Master," and "Grandmaster" are organizational, and separate from rank requirements. While a minimum rank is often required for such titles, there are different rules applied throughout the Taekwondo community worldwide. Such titles should always be conferred on the Black Belt student by their teacher, and never self-appointed.

In General, an "Instructor" is a Black Belt who has been specially trained in the field of teaching the art of Taekwondo. The Black Belt is a rank, and becoming a 1st Degree does not automatically qualify one to teach, but beginner Instructors are typically required to be a minimum of 1st Degree (often 1st, 2nd or 3rd Degree).

A "Master" is one who teaches the Instructors, therefore is typically a 4th Degree or higher. The Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea) requires an instructor to be certified as a 4th Dan, and complete an Instructor's course in order to issue geup (color belt grade) certificates in their own name, and to be able to recommend a student for any Black Belt Dan (degree).

Some Taekwondo organizations require a minimum of 5th or 6th Dan before using the title of "Master." Others will distinguish different levels with titles such as "Junior Master," "Associate Master," "Head Master," "Senior Master," or "Chief Master." In Korean terminology, the ranking Instructor who opens a Dojang is a "Sabeom" (Honorific: Sabeomnim), which means "Master" or "School Master" as the director of a training hall. In most cases, a 4th Degree is required to open an official school; while 1st through 3rd Dan either assist the Master, or run annex programs and clubs under the Master's supervision.

The title of "Grandmaster" means one who teaches the Masters, and is typically reserved for 7th, 8th, or 9th Degree. Like the term "Master," "Grandmaster" is a title that generally only has merit within a particular organization, therefore the criteria differs from one organization to the next. Some organizations will reserve the title for 8th Dan and above, while others will use it only for the one head, or president of the organization.

(It should be noted that the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) is a sport governing body that has nothing to do with the instruction of Taekwondo, it has no student or Black Belt members (only national Member Associations), and does not issue rank, nor titles of Master or Grandmaster. The WTF trains and certifies coaches, judges, referees and other officials for WTF approved Taekwondo competition.)

Answer 5

A Black Belt is considered an "expert" of the basics, or one who has mastered the rudimentary skills of Taekwondo. This means that they have a solid foundation to build their advanced training upon, and know the color belt material well enough that they do not need to ask questions about it, although there is always room for improvement, and even Black Belts need senior Instructors and Masters to teach and guide them through their advanced levels.

There are different degrees of the black belt (called dan), and each higher degree indicates an increased level of skill in performance of techniques, ability to defend one's self, and a more comprehensive understanding of the art as a whole. Being a Black Belt holder does not automatically qualify someone to teach, and the skill of Instructing is separate from rank and additional training and Instructor certification is typically required.

1st through 3rd dan are generally considered beginner Black Belts who sometimes assist instruction or teach under the supervision of a master.

4th through 6th dan represent various levels of masters who often are the senior Instructors or school owners. The most senior Instructor and/or owner of a dojang (school) is called the Sabeom (honorific: Sabeomnim).

7th through 9th dan are sometimes referred to as senior masters, chief masters, or Grandmasters.

Answer 6

The highest black belt degree in tae kwon do is the 10th degree black belt. This is reserved for the founder or president of the tae kwon do association.

Answer 7

There is no easy way to tell, since there is no international registry of all the masters.

Answer 8

10th degree black belt

Answer 9

5