Grandmaster Choi is a 9th-degree black belt and the founder of Sun Do Sul Martial Arts. His martial arts journey began in Korea at the age of seven. He started with two years of boxing, followed by training in Moo Duk Kwan and Yu Sool as a beginner (reaching yellow belt). He later earned a 2nd Dan black belt in Oh Do Kwan (current ITF style) and a 3rd Dan black belt in the WTF style (Kuk Ki Won) in 1973.

As a young teenager, he immigrated to the United States in 1974. He continued to train rigorously, competing in numerous tournaments and advancing through his ranks under several legendary masters:

• Yong W. Choi: Tested and achieved 7th Dan.

• Young Cho: (Founder of SunMooDo and an ITF demonstration team legend). Grandmaster Choi trained and lived with him for seven years, achieving his 5th through 7th Dan.

• Bok Man Kim: (A pioneer of Tae Kwon Do and former General Secretary of his organization). Achieved his 6th through 9th Dan under his guidance.

• Grandmasters Yoon & Myung: Trained in Hapkido, achieving a 6th Dan.

Grandmaster Choi has trained for over 50 years and has been teaching martial arts since 1977. He is a former national team member, as well as a Champion and Grand Champion across various martial arts disciplines. He was inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2019.

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Awards

• Teaching Excellence in Martial Arts – Awarded by Martial Arts Business Magazine (1997)

• National Leadership Award – Awarded by Congress in Washington, D.C.

• Best Service Award – Awarded by the martial arts community

• Best Martial Arts Instruction Award – Awarded in Denver, Colorado (2011)

• Presidential Sports Award – Conferred by President Bill Clinton

• Best Instructor Award – Conferred by President George W. Bush

• Distinguished Service & Teaching Recognitions – Numerous domestic and international awards

 

 

Achievements

• Law Enforcement & Military Instruction: Trained law enforcement officers and military personnel.

• Academic & Community Outreach: Instructed programs across universities, schools, and local martial arts clubs.

• Global Impact: Produced more than 2,000 black belts throughout the United States and internationally.

• Hall of Fame Inductions: Honored as an inductee into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2004) and the Black Belt Hall of Fame (2019).