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TaeKwon-Do International |
December 6, 2025
Congratulations, Master Ryan Sommer!On Saturday, December 6th, Master Ryan Sommer tested for his 6th Dan during a promotion test at Asheville Sun Soo, which is lead by Grandmaster Tony Morris, 9th Dan and TKDI VP of Tournaments. Master Sommer is the newest member of TaeKwon-Do International and the Head Instructor of Traditional Taekwon Do Academy in Evans, GA.
Afterwards, Master Sommer expressed his appreciation for Grandmaster Morris and the great community at the Asheville dojang: "Great school. Lots of energy." Congratulations on your 6th Dan, Sir! |
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October 7, 2025
Seminar in Frankfurt, GermanyGrandmaster S.J. Kim has been invited to teach a seminar with Grandmaster Granzow and Grandmaster Willems of ITF - Germany. The seminar will take place on November 22nd, in Frankfurt, Germany. For updates and more information, please visit our Facebook page.
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September 30, 2025
New Project Launched!
In an effort to keep you all informed, we at TaeKwon-Do International have launched a new initiative: a monthly newsletter!
The October edition was sent out earlier today and included information about the upcoming tournament in New Jersey, a letter from TKDI Executive Director, Grandmaster Mark Nathanson, 9th Dan, plus exciting happenings at CMTKD, Master Marr's Taekwon-do, and Asheville Sun Soo.
Click here to read the article and sign up above to join the mailing list.
The October edition was sent out earlier today and included information about the upcoming tournament in New Jersey, a letter from TKDI Executive Director, Grandmaster Mark Nathanson, 9th Dan, plus exciting happenings at CMTKD, Master Marr's Taekwon-do, and Asheville Sun Soo.
Click here to read the article and sign up above to join the mailing list.
September 10, 2025
2025 US Masters Invitational Tournament
Registration is now open for the 2025 US Masters Invitational Championship, to be held on November 1st at Mt. St. Dominic Academy in Caldwell, NJ. Hosted by Glen Ridge Taekwon-do, owned by Grandmaster John Meany and Master Laura Giletti, this year's tournament will feature five events for students of all ages. New this year, we have pushed back the start of the tournament to 11:00 am EST, which should allow for more schools to travel and join us. We are committed to hosting an efficiently run, exciting, competitive, and friendly event. We look forward to seeing everyone there! Early registration is open through October 22, and late registration closes on October 28.
See their website for the rules, schedule, and to register!
See their website for the rules, schedule, and to register!
August 18, 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Technique Intensive!
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A special thanks to Hiram House Camp for hosting, Master Marr's Taekwon-do for organizing, and to Grandmaster SJ Kim, Grandmaster Mark Nathanson, Grandmaster Tony Morris, Grandmaster John Meany, Grandmaster James Marr, and Master José Cedeño for lending your expertise to this special event. If any attendees would like to provide feedback, please reach out to Master Adrian Bayless-Marr at [email protected].
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August 2, 2025
Welcome, Master Ryan Sommer!
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"Thank you for the warm welcome to your organization! I began my Taekwon-Do journey in 1993 with the Jidokwan style, and after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, I transitioned to the ITF style. I currently hold a 5th Dan in Jidokwan and was awarded a 5th Dan rank under both the UTA and ITFU in 2020. In addition to Taekwon-Do, I train in Hapkido and was recently promoted to 5th Dan by the Korea Moo Moo Kwan Hapkido Association.
Professionally, I am a college professor and also lead a part-time Taekwon-Do program two evenings a week through the Parks & Recreation Department in Grovetown, Georgia. My wife serves as a senior enlisted member of the U.S. Army, and we live in Evans, Georgia with our two daughters. I’m honored to be part of this organization, led by Grandmaster Kim and under the direct guidance of Grandmaster Marr." - Master Ryan Sommer |
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July 18, 2025
Master Malarkey, 6th Dan, has released his debut book:
“Journey from White to Black: Translating Martial Arts to Life”
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Synopsis: Making his debut as an author, internationally certified 6th degree black belt instructor and Taekwon-Do Master Chris Malarkey journals his keys to success from over 30 years spent training in the martial arts. Journey from White to Black follows Master Malarkey’s martial arts journey and experiences where he identifies the principles from his time on the mats that can be applied in daily life to enhance personal performance, mindset, and success. Venture through parts of his story as he details how wins and losses in practice, teaching, and competition help greatly overcome life’s obstacles, transform them into growth from within and be present, self-aware, and ready in all walks of life.
You can purchase a copy of Master Malarkey's book HERE. |
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June 11, 2025
Grandmaster Mark Nathanson has been appointed the
Executive Director of TKDI. Congratulations, Sir!
June 7, 2025
Congratulations on your 7th Dan, Master Silvio Borelli!
"Being part of the Taekwon Do International organization and family has always been a great honor to me. As is the case with many of us practitioners, my (still ongoing) Taekwon Do journey and the understanding of it have been anything but a straight line over the years. I started with judo at age 6, when I was no better at tying my shoes than choosing a form of self-defense. Then, as a 14-year-old, I discovered TaeKwon-Do in the illustrations of a random magazine article: white uniforms, black belts, power punches and flying kicks? I want to do that! Add some sprinkles of other self-defense disciplines here and there, like karate and judo, and my evolution kept moving along with the years. But the quantum leap only came after meeting Grandmaster S.J Kim at his school in midtown Manhattan in the early 2000s. It was pure luck: I had no idea who he was, and the difference he would make from that point on. If I could summarize a couple of decades of learning in two lines, it would read like this: more than a form of self-defense, the practice of TaeKwon-Do is a doorway to self-improvement in all dimensions of life. The human body has mechanical constraints and limitations, but the mind does not. The practice of TaeKwon-Do, as it was taught to me by Grandmaster SJ Kim over the years and every Tuesday to this day, is at least as physical as it is mental. The knowledge we amass along the way is not ours to keep. Knowledge only has meaning as a baton handed over to the next generation, propelling it farther. That is our role as instructors, and this is the combined legacy of those who taught and helped us get where we are today. Thank you, Grandmaster SJ Kim, and all my fellow practitioners, friends, and colleagues at TaeKwon-Do International."
April 15, 2025
Welcome, Grandmaster Andreas Granzow!
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August, 2023
We welcome our new 9th Dan, Grandmaster Mark Nathanson!
"First off, let me start by saying how completely honored and humbled I am with this promotion. Reaching this goal was something I always strived for, but never knew if I would achieve...and now it has become reality. When Grand Master Kim called me to let me know of his decision, I was of course thrilled, but the best part of that conversation was that he mentioned to me that whatever his legacy will be, I will always be a part of it. Just to be considered in that way is an honor in itself, and I am truly grateful.
My Taekwon Do journey began in 1974. Call it fate, destiny, or just luck, but as a young boy I had decided that I wanted to learn martial arts, and I walked into a small school in Bergenfield New Jersey, and met a man by the name of Master Kim. He was not the owner of the school at that time (he later would be), but he was the head instructor for a man named Master Lee, and it was Master Kim that signed me up to start classes. Again, fate, destiny, luck...? but I had no idea I was meeting a man that is likely one the greatest Taekwon Do practitioners in the world, and a man that would forever more shape my growth from a boy to a man.
I have continued with Grand Master Kim until this day (taking brief chapters away as I attended college and medical school), and have the distinction of being the only individual who started with GM Kim as a white belt, and now reached this ultimate level of 9th degree Grand Master.
As I reflect on this moment, it honestly is not about me, but it is more about those who have surrounded me during my journey. Grand Master Kim has created Taekwon Do International, a union of schools that is remarkable. It is this union, this gathering of students, teachers, masters, and Grand masters that should be celebrated with my promotion. Taekwon do International has supported, nurtured, and helped me grow into the master instructor I have become, and I would be remiss not to mention those individuals. There are many, and I can't name them all, but several stand out.
Grand Master Tony Morris of Asheville Sun Soo, Asheville North Carolina, Grand Master James Marr of Marrs Taekwon do, Cleveland Ohio, and Grand Master John Meany, and Master Laura Giletti, Glen Ridge Taekwon Do, Montclair New Jersey. These schools, and their entire Taekwon Do familes have welcomed me into their schools, and their homes to allow me to teach, train, and judge. Special thanks goes to Master Giletti, and Grand Master Meany who have welcomed me as a constant presence in their school to assist with their classes.
No individual reaches the level of 9th degree without support, and it is this Union, this gathering of phenomenal individuals who have allowed me to attain this goal, and for that I am forever grateful.
Of course my ultimate gratitude is with Grand Master Suk Jun Kim. Without him, none of this, my achievements, the multiple schools, the Union, would have been possible.
Again, fate, destiny, luck...but on that day in 1974, my life changed forever...thank you all.
With gratitude and humility,
Grand Master Mark N Nathanson.
My Taekwon Do journey began in 1974. Call it fate, destiny, or just luck, but as a young boy I had decided that I wanted to learn martial arts, and I walked into a small school in Bergenfield New Jersey, and met a man by the name of Master Kim. He was not the owner of the school at that time (he later would be), but he was the head instructor for a man named Master Lee, and it was Master Kim that signed me up to start classes. Again, fate, destiny, luck...? but I had no idea I was meeting a man that is likely one the greatest Taekwon Do practitioners in the world, and a man that would forever more shape my growth from a boy to a man.
I have continued with Grand Master Kim until this day (taking brief chapters away as I attended college and medical school), and have the distinction of being the only individual who started with GM Kim as a white belt, and now reached this ultimate level of 9th degree Grand Master.
As I reflect on this moment, it honestly is not about me, but it is more about those who have surrounded me during my journey. Grand Master Kim has created Taekwon Do International, a union of schools that is remarkable. It is this union, this gathering of students, teachers, masters, and Grand masters that should be celebrated with my promotion. Taekwon do International has supported, nurtured, and helped me grow into the master instructor I have become, and I would be remiss not to mention those individuals. There are many, and I can't name them all, but several stand out.
Grand Master Tony Morris of Asheville Sun Soo, Asheville North Carolina, Grand Master James Marr of Marrs Taekwon do, Cleveland Ohio, and Grand Master John Meany, and Master Laura Giletti, Glen Ridge Taekwon Do, Montclair New Jersey. These schools, and their entire Taekwon Do familes have welcomed me into their schools, and their homes to allow me to teach, train, and judge. Special thanks goes to Master Giletti, and Grand Master Meany who have welcomed me as a constant presence in their school to assist with their classes.
No individual reaches the level of 9th degree without support, and it is this Union, this gathering of phenomenal individuals who have allowed me to attain this goal, and for that I am forever grateful.
Of course my ultimate gratitude is with Grand Master Suk Jun Kim. Without him, none of this, my achievements, the multiple schools, the Union, would have been possible.
Again, fate, destiny, luck...but on that day in 1974, my life changed forever...thank you all.
With gratitude and humility,
Grand Master Mark N Nathanson.
