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Our Staff

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Tae Hyung Kim

Master G's Grandmaster

9th Dan Taekwondo

 

Grandmaster Kim came to the United States in 1967 and began teaching Taekwondo, Hapkido, Judo and Kyukido in Chicago, Illinois. He later opened two studios in Aurora, Illinois. Grandmaster Kim taught our communities for over 50 years.

Grandmaster Kim also taught Karate and Self-Defense courses at Waubonsee Community College for many years. He was also one of the pioneers of the Art of HapKi-Ye, which he co-founded with the late Grandmaster Kim Chung Eun, Iowa, Illinois.

His legacy will be remembered for many years to come by the communities he taught.

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"Master G"

Head Instructor

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With over 39 years experience, "Master G" attended his first Taekwondo class in Aurora, IL. under Grandmaster T. H. Kim around the spring of 1985 at the age of 12.  In 1992 he was awarded his black belt and began to pursue his desire to teach.

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In 1993 he began teaching a small group of students at his residence in Naperville, IL. and as students increased he decided to move them to Naper Olympic Health Club.  While continuing a program there he also formed an additional one at Powerhouse Gym in Bolingbrook, IL. shortly after.

 

After teaching there for over 15 years, in 2010 he decided to join with another instructor at the Woodridge Park District and spent the next 8 years instructing students in Taekwondo. He now manages that Taekwondo program there.

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Also while teaching at Woodridge, he began a program at the Naperville YMCA and also continued to teach at his original Academy in Aurora.  At that time he also began Hapkido classes under Grandmaster Kim as well as continuing with Taekwondo and Judo.

 

Currently, Master G continues to help and support his original Grandmaster while running the American Taekwondo Academy in Joliet. Along with his desire to keep the American Taekwondo Federation originally founded in 1972 alive, he maintains positive relationships with his affiliate locations and continues to promote the growth and spirit of Taekwondo.

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  • 39 Years Experience Taekwondo

  • 31 Years Experience Hapkido, Judo

  • 31 Years Teaching Experience

  • Kukkiwon International Master Certification

  • Kukkiwon Certified Poom/Dan Examiner

  • 7th Dan American Taekwondo Federation

  • 6th Dan Taekwondo Ji Do Kwan

  • 5th Dan World Taekwondo Federation

  • 5th Dan International Taekwondo Federation

  • Kukkiwon Certified 5th Dan Taekwondo

  • President American Taekwondo Federation

  • Member World Taekwondo Masters Union

  • Member World Tae Kwon Do Federation

  • Member International Tae Kwon Do Federation

  • Member Korean Taekwondo Association

  • Board Member American Hapkiye Federation

  • Governors State University, Elementary and Secondary Education

  • 29 Years Tournament Official

  • 29 Years Tournament Judge

  • 22 Years Tournament Referee

  • Official at 1993, 1994 Illinois State Taekwondo Championships

  • Official at 1998 - 2006 World Taekwondo Championships

  • Judge at 1991, 1992, 1993 Illinois Cup Taekwondo Games

  • Judge at 1998, 1999, 2000-2017 Fox Valley Taekwondo Championships

  • 1994 U.S. Open Taekwondo Championships Coach 

  • 1996 United States National Taekwondo Championships

Gold Medal Sparring

Gold Medal Forms

  • 1997 Pan-American Cup Taekwondo Championships

Gold Medal Forms

Silver Medal Sparring

Bronze Medal Forms

  • 1998 United States National Taekwondo Championships

Gold Medal Forms

Bronze Medal Sparring

Gold Medal Breaking

  • 2000 United States National Taekwondo Championships

Gold Medal Forms

Silver Medal Breaking

Bronze Medal Forms

Bronze Medal Breaking​

  • Author “Fundamental Tae Kwon Do” (private publication)

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"Miss Nat"

Assistant Instructor

2nd Dan, ATF, Kukkiwon

 

Daughter of "Master G", Miss Nat began studying Taekwondo classes with her sister, Kara, at age 12 in Aurora under Grandmaster T.H. Kim. After 4 years of practice she was awarded her 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.

Miss Nat currently holds the rank of

Kukkiwon 2nd Dan Black Belt.

She is a graduate of Joliet West High School and now serves as an assistant instructor to the Youth Taekwondo Program at the American Taekwondo Academy in Joliet as well as at the Woodridge Park District.

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Miss Nat continues her passion for Taekwondo through teaching while furthering her training with her father and Grandmaster Kim.

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"Mr. John"

Taekwondo Assistant Instructor

2nd Dan, ATF, Kukkiwon

 

Mr. John began studying Taekwondo with Master G and Grandmaster T.H. Kim in the fall of 2006 as a transfer student from a park district program. Several years later he was awarded his 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.

Mr. John currently holds the rank of

Kukkiwon 2nd Dan Black Belt.

Mr. John continues to support Master G and the American Taekwondo Academy by serving as an assistant instructor to the Adult Taekwondo Program in Joliet.

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Mr. John has moved to Hawaii and continues his Taekwondo practice.

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He also is continuing his training in Taekwondo with Master G.

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"Mr. Aidan"

Taekwondo Assistant Instructor

 

Mr. Aidan joins us from his former school in the hopes of continuing his Taekwondo and Hapkido education with Master G. He is also just beginning his journey as an Instructor to our youth students.

Mr. Aidan currently holds the rank of

Kukkiwon 2nd Poom Black Belt.

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"Ms. Kim"

Administrative Support

 

Ms. Kim assists with back office administration for both the Academy and the ATF. She assists with program management, promotion and event planning.

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"Miss Kara"

Administrative Clerk

 

Miss Kara assists with student file management along with back office administration for the Academy.

We would like to thank the following individuals who continue to donate their time, support and expertise by occasionally sitting at the grading table for various rank promotion tests.

Grandmaster T.H. Kim

9th Dan Taekwondo

 

Master Randall Dittman

6th Dan Taekwondo

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Master Patrick McCrimmon

6th Dan Taekwondo

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Master Merced Gaytan

6th Dan Taekwondo

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Master Martin Yokosawa

6th Dan Taekwondo

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Master Amos Rogers

5th Dan Taekwondo

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Master Erich Schoedl

5th Dan Taekwondo

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