For For nearly thirty years now, Tae Kwon Do Legend Grandmaster Hee Il Cho has been a leading voice throughout the Korean Martial Arts World.

Since beginning his Martial Arts Journey over fifty years ago he has lead and inspired thousands of Martial Artists throughout the World and will again, this summer, lead nearly five hundred Worldwide enthusiasts through a week long intensive training camp in the beautiful surroundings of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Grandmaster Cho began his Worldwide Association – the Action International Martial Arts Assoc ( AIMAA ) in 1980. Since this time his Assoc. has grown to include members in the US, Canada, England, Scotland and Ireland as well as many other Instructors and members from all corners of the globe. During this time he has lead Seminars in all of these countries training and instructing thousands of Martial Artists from every style of the Arts.

In 2000 and 2004 the AIMAA also held it’s first two AIMAA World Championships which again attracted thousands of competitors and spectators to AIMAA’s European base of Ireland. These major championships were hosted by AIMAA European Director Master John D’arcy.

Grandmaster Cho's has also lent his fantastic skills and experience to the world of Martial Arts movies, Starting in Kickboxer 2 and Best of the Best to name a couple.  Very rarely in the realm of Martial Arts Grandmasters are we allowed an insight into what drives and inspires these legends. Grandmaster Cho is different, he maintains a direct line of communication not only with the Martial Arts Community but with each and every one of his students throughout the world.

I had the privilege of recently tapping into his wealth of knowledge where he spoke candidly for the TKD-KMA readers and myself about his past experiences and his hopes for the future…

 TKD-KMA - YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINING FOR OVER 50 YEARS NOW, WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO KEEP TRAINING AND PUSHING YOURSELF ? 

GMC -Training is a part of who I am. The martial arts are as integral to my life as eating; asking how I can train everyday is like asking how one could eat everyday. As a teacher, I strive to expand my knowledge in order to offer the best to my students. I am likewise still a student myself and believe striving for perfection is a journey that continues until the end of life.

 TKD-KMA - YOUR AIMAA HQ IS NOW BASED IN HAWAII, WHAT WAS BEHEIND YOUR DECISION AND WHAT IS THE MARTIAL ARTS COMMUNITY LIKE THERE ?

GMC - The martial arts community in Hawaii is expansive with several different styles represented. There is an especially strong mixed martial arts community that thrives on the island. Because of its largely Asian population, the Hawaiian culture also reflects much of Eastern philosophy and thought, thus the historical roots and traditions of the martial arts seems more easily understood and readily appreciated.

 Hawaii is known throughout the world for being a paradise on earth. It was not a difficult decision to relocate the Headquarters to the island's beautiful surroundings.

TKD-KMA- THIS YEARS AIMAA SUMMER CAMP IS IN FLAGSTAF, ARIZONA, WHAT CAN THE PEOPLE TRAVELLING EXPECT ?

GMC - Each of our summer camps always strive to provide an unforgettable experience through intense, expansive physical training, philosophical enlightenment, and incredible amounts of fun. Everyone should expect the same for AIMAA Summer Camp 2006 in Flagstaff, Arizona. The training will include a wide variety of topics from grappling, weapons, sambo, XMA, and even specialized children's classes along with the AIMAA curriculum. However, the most memorable aspect of the camp has always been the lasting friendships made between AIMAA members and other martial arts enthusiasts from across the globe. Sharing the same passion and fervour for training definitely helps build a unique bond.  

                GMC - First of all, I see all members of AIMAA as equally important and my appreciation and gratitude for their support is inexpressible. Master Philip Ameris and Master John Darcy are AIMAA's two senior members who have been by my side for over twenty years. Their loyalty and dedicaBtion both to me and the martial arts is unparalleled and exemplary. Throughout my entire martial arts career, Master Ameris and Master Darcy are probably the only two students who I have witnessed to truly demonstrate the principles of the martial arts by the sincerity in how they live their life. They are as close to me as my children, and I cherish their friendships dearly.

 TKD-KMA - UNLIKE MANY MASTERS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS YOU KEEP A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IT IS TRUE THAT ANY STUDENT CAN CONTACT YOU AT ANY TIME FOR ADVICE OR HELP. HOW DO YOU FEEL THIS HAS BENIFITTED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AIMAA MEMBERS AND IS THIS A MAJOR FACTOR IN BUILDING THE FAMILY SPIRIT THAT THE AIMAA IS FAMOUS FOR ?

 GMC - The martial arts can be very old-fashioned; it used to be where a student had to fear his master with such extreme respect to where he would not dare to even step on his master's shadow. However, I have always valued close communication and believe it helps to really reach individual students in a positive way on a greater level. Direct communication also helps to dissolve problems in a more organized, faster way. When one becomes a member of the AIMAA, I feel the great responsibility as a teacher would have over any one student. Keeping a direct line of communication open and through instructional media that bring my instruction into their hands helps to qualify each AIMAA member as a genuine student of mine.

 TKD-KMA - IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE 1 OR 2 HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR TIME AS AIMAA PRESIDENT WHAT WOULD THEY BE ?

 GMC - One of the highlights would definitely be the establishment of our world championships. The AIMAA strives to make a global impact, thus events like the championships and even summer camps truly work to harmonized martial arts communities around the world. The AIMAA continues to grow as a steady anchor in the martial arts community, working to foster its traditional spirit.

 TKD-KMA - HOW DO YOU SEE THE MARTIAL ARTS CHANGING IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS ?

 GMC - I believe the martial arts will continue to boom in the next decade. As I mentioned before, martial arts are starting to become integrated into primary and secondary schools, and even into colleges and universities. I only hope that the core traditions of the martial arts such as filial piety, integrity, and loyalty will not become lost as the competitive sports aspect as well as the lucrative business aspect of the martial arts continues to grow in popularity.

 TKD-KMA - WHAT ARE YOUR MAJOR PLANS OR HOPES FOR THE AIMAA IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS ?

 GMC - I only hope the AIMAA tradition will be continued by my senior students and never cease to work for the technical and intellectual growth of martial art students everywhere. My major plan had been to establish a martial arts college where all styles of martial arts could come together in one harmonious spirit, allowing fighters and lifelong students to seek a credible establishment in order to enhance their journeys as martial artists. However, I am advancing in my years and am not sure if this goal will be reached within the next ten years. But I remain hopeful.

 TKD-KMA – Thank You for talking with me sir.

Interview by Karim Belgacem is a third degree black belt and National Instructor within AIMAA       Scotland. AIMAA is led in Scotland by Mr John Kirkwood, fifth degree black belt who was appointed Scottish National Director by Grandmaster Hee II Cho.