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About Headmaster W.D. Grady...
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In 1967, while in college, William D. Grady joined the Silver Spring academy
of the highly respected Grandmaster Ki Whang Kim, one of the pioneers who brought Korean martial arts to the U.S.
"I began martial arts for self defense, but immediately I saw it offered
so much more - physically, mentally and philosophically," Mr. Grady said. "Plus, it helped me bring
grades way up to straight A’s in college and graduate work including a Master of Business Administration."
After college, Mr. Grady served as a medic in the Army Reserves while working
as a writer for a daily newspaper. From the mid 1970’s to the early 1980’s, he continued to practice Korean
Martial Art for short periods of time at three other martial art academies while working in residential real estate.
In 1982, Mr. Grady moved to northern Virginia to work in commercial real estate
and joined the Herndon Tae Kwon Do academy of Grandmaster Hyeon Kon (H.K.) Lee.
Grandmaster H.K. Lee was internationally respected as an excellent Tae Kwon Do
technician, a top competitor, a great teacher and a deep philosopher. Among his many accomplishments, the World
Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF) appointed him Chairman of the Education Committee for the U.S.
"When I met Grandmaster H.K. Lee, I began serious training. I recognized
he had the very highest quality of knowledge and communication skills. So I attended every black belt class,
leadership training, instructor training camp and seminar," Mr. Grady said.
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Mr. Grady Practicing Leadership at ETF Headquarters
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Grandmaster Lee personally certified Mr. Grady as Tae Kwon Do
Master Instructor, Examiner and Referee. Grandmaster Lee appointed Mr. Grady to the Eagle Tae Kwon Do
Federation (ETF) Executive Leadership Council and had him lead many instructor training camps and black belt classes.
For 14 years, Mr. Grady served as Grandmaster Lee’s master-of-ceremonies
and co-chairman for all the events at ETF Headquarters, including USTU/USTA Virginia state championships, regional
championships, ETF championships and international masters’ exhibitions for charities.
In the middle 1980’s, Grandmaster Lee was writing his 180-page Tae Kwon Do
Instructional Reference and Curriculum Guide and he involved Mr. Grady in some of it. That involvement
gave Mr. Grady a greater knowledge of the curriculum to share with others.
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Mr. Grady practicing with Head Instructor Rafael Sobrino at ETF Headquarters
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In the late 1980's, Mr. Grady was involved when Grandmaster Lee opened
four ETF academies. In 1991, Mr. Grady opened and taught Grandmaster Lee's flagship ETF club at Arlington Health
and Fitness and was involved with Grandmaster Lee opening four other ETF clubs.
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Mr. Grady with Masters Jun Lee and Adam Schainblatt before they each opened ETF Academies
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"By early 1992, Grandmaster Lee persuaded and helped me open
my own ETF academy in Charlotte. For the next five years, I continued to travel to his special events at ETF
Headquarters in Herndon, and Grandmaster Lee traveled to special events at my academy in Charlotte," Mr. Grady said.
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Grandmaster H.K. Lee demonstrates chambering for side kick at Charlotte ETF academy
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"Grandmaster Lee continues to motivate and teach me my
responsibilities as a headmaster, so I can continue to provide a place for students to practice authentic
and complete Tae Kwon Do.
"In 2001, after much research, I began to offer a transported
After Academy Martial Art program and Kids' Summer Sports Camp. Our training and experiences in both the
After School and Summer Camp help us improve the teaching we provide for both adults as well as children.
"As time goes by," Mr. Grady said, "I am continually reminded
and helped by the effectiveness of the Three Principles of Peace that Grandmaster Lee teaches as follows:
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Three Times Consider. Three Times Be Patient. Three Times Forgive."
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Headmaster W.D. Grady
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About Grandmaster H.K. Lee...
"In the world of Tae Kwon Do, Hyeon Kon Lee is a superstar."
- USA Today, 11/05/85
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Grandmaster Hyeon Kon Lee is the owner of H.K. Lee TaeKwonDo
Academy and the founder of Eagle TaeKwonDo Federation (ETF), headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.
"We emphasize personal attention to help you become a
more confident individual, both physically and mentally, regardless of your age, gender or physical
ability," Grandmaster H.K. Lee said.
Grandmaster H.K. Lee was born in Korea and immigrated to the
United States where he made Herndon, Virginia his second home. He received his U.S. citizenship in 1981.
Grandmaster H.K. Lee has dedicated himself to being a strong community-minded citizen of his new country.
Grandmaster H.K. Lee has traveled all over the United States
and to many other countries around the world in order to help needy people and promote the benefits of
Tae Kwon Do for everyone for the purpose of making the world a more peaceful place to live.
Grandmaster H.K. Lee has helped organizations raise hundreds
of thousands of dollars for charities. Grandmaster H.K. Lee's organizations have raised tens of
thousands of dollars for charities.
Internationally known and respected as an excellent TaeKwonDo
technician, a top competitor, a caring and talented teacher and a deep philosopher, Grandmaster H.K. Lee
is an incarnation of martial arts excellence.
Some accomplishments that demonstrate Grandmaster H.K. Lee's
pursuit of perfection include:
- Appointed to World TaeKwonDo Federation (WTF) International Examination Committee.
- Appointed Chairman of the WTF Education Committee for the USA.
- 9th Degree Black Belt by the WTF.
- Appointed International Advisory Committee Member.
- Vice Chairman of the WTF Education Committee.
- Former Chairman of the USTU National Education/Certification Committee.
- Author of the ETF TaeKwonDo Instructional Reference and Curriculum Guide.
- Cover Story of "Black Belt Magazine", January, 1996.
- Two times Cover Story of "TaeKwonDo Times", 1992 Yearbook and April 1995 issue.
- 1984 Hall of Fame in the World by "Traditional TaeKwonDo Magazine".
- 'Master Instructor of the Year' by the American TaeKwonDo Federation.
- 1985 'Man of the Year' by the American TaeKwonDo Federation.
- 1986 'Man of the Year' by "World TaeKwonDo Magazine".
- Former President of Virginia A.A.U. (currently USTA) TaeKwonDo Association.
- Former undefeated 'Welter Weight Champion of All Asia' for three years.
- And much more . . .
- As many of his students have said, "He is one of the greatest teachers and motivators [they] have ever met."
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