Sa Woon Dang Park Chull Hee Awards Ninth
Dan to Taekwondo/JuJitsu Legend
George Anderson

By Patrick Hickey

February 16, 2007, at the Kwanmukan International Symposium, George E. Anderson from Akron, Ohio, received his ninth Dan certification from the Kukkiwon. Sa Woon Dang Park Chull Hee, founder of the Kang Duk Won in Korea, was in attendance and personally presented the certification to Grandmaster Anderson. The certification is believed to be the first ninth Dan issued to anyone outside of Korea.

This historic occasion took place at the Kwanmukan International Banquet held annually in Akron, Ohio. In attendance this year were over 250 guests, mostly martial artists, from more than four countries and ten states. World-class instruction at the seminar was provided by those recognized as Shihan ("Grandmaster") under Grandmaster Anderson's Kwanmukan organization.

Grandmaster Anderson, who is now 75 years old, has a martial arts resume that spans over 55 years. First involved with Taekwondo in the early 60's, he has been active in the international sports arena, serving as Referee Council Chairman and as the first Vice-President of the World Union of Karate-Do Organizations (now known as the World Karate Federation, a member of the United States Olympic Committee), and also as an International representative for the International JuJitsu Federation.

The kukkiwon Certification was issued by the government of Korea through a foundation. Master Sang Yong Hong, Secretary General of the World Taekwondo Kukkiwon was given the rights to issue Kukkiwon certification as approved by the government of Korea.