Biography and Achievements of
Grandmaster "Iron" Kim
Grandmaster "Iron" Kim
The 8th Generation Grandmaster of the
Oom Yung /Chung Moo line of Martial Arts
As proven by history, the origins of a line of martial arts are
based on the movement, strength and credibility of the individual
master, his instructors and students. The strength of the movement
determines how strong the style is and the credibility of that
generation of individuals. The achievements of Grandmaster "Iron" Kim
demonstrate the strength and credibility of the Oom Yung / Chung Moo
line of martial arts knowledge.
A few of Grandmaster "Iron" Kim's achievements
At the age of seven, Grandmaster "Iron" Kim began his life's path in
the study and practice of martial arts. To achieve perfection of his
martial arts movements, Grandmaster "Iron" Kim many times chose the
solitude of the mountain and ocean areas of Asia to practice the forms
and techniques that he learned. Although he learned from many qualified
teachers, a majority of the knowledge that Grandmaster "Iron" Kim
possesses was passed down through Grandmaster Wang Po, the 7th
generation Grandmaster of Yin Yang Doe.
MASTER "IRON" KIM UNCONTESTED
"CHAMPION OF ALL ASIA"
In 1956, Master "Iron" Kim did compete in and win the All Asia
Championship that was sponsored by Grandmaster Wang Po and was held in
the Cho Leung area of Pusan. The Chinese title of Chung Moo Jik or
"champion" was bestowed upon Master "Iron" Kim. The first place award
that he did receive was called a Chung Moon Chung. A Chung Moon Chung
is a paper scroll with wooden rods at each end. It is inscribed with
the accomplishments of the winner and carries the official seal of the
tournament. Several prominent judges and martial artists were in
attendance at this championship and they hold in their memory the truth
of this occasion.
The presiding judges were Yang Chou Fai (then a resident of Taegu),
Wang Sei Kau (then a resident of Pusan) and Hwan Byung Quan (then a
resident of Pusan). These three judges were originally residents of
China. Also in attendance were Mok Jing Quan, from Osan, Korea; Chae
Jung Su, of Dong Nae, Pusan; Park Hyun Su, of Sum Yun, Pusan; Yu Gee
Han, of Taegu; Chil Sung and Park Yung-Gil of Daichon, Korea. Anyone
who has knowledge of martial arts during that period will recognize the
tradition of the Chung Dong Yang Moo Sul Yun Moo Dae Hwa (All Asia
Championship Tournament) and the names that appear above.
After winning the All Asia Championship Tournament, Master "Iron"
Kim continued to excel in martial arts form and movement. He was
teaching others and, in fact, sponsored many of the Chun Dong Yang Moo
Sul Yun Moo Dae Hwa championships, which at the time were held in the
Sum Yun area of Pusan, Korea. Other cosponsors of these tournaments
with Master "Iron" Kim were Park-Yang Su, Choe Jung Su, Sun Baek Yew
and Ee Jun Yu, all having the accomplished position of Chong Sa Bu or
Sa Bu (Assistant Master or one step below) in their respective styles.
The strength of the Oom Yung line that Master "Iron" Kim demonstrated
at these contests convinced other practitioners to decline to challenge
him in the years that he sponsored the tournament. Because he was
uncontested champion during that time, Master "Iron" Kim was bestowed
the honorable and respected position and title of "Chon Shim Pan Whey
Won Chaeng," or "Supreme Judge and Arbiter" by the co-sponsors and the
martial arts experts who participated in these tournaments. Even though
Master "Iron" Kim did earn the title of uncontested Champion of All
Asia, he felt that there was much more to learn and thus he continued
to study and develop his skills further. His ultimate hope was that all
martial arts could some day be united.
"ALL MARTIAL ARTS UNITED"
In the early 1960's Master "Iron" Kim expanded his quest for
knowledge. He traveled and sought Masters who had reached a higher
level of Moo Doe knowledge. There were seven top practitioners from an
elite group of about twenty Masters throughout East Asia with whom
Master "Iron" Kim exchanged individual skills in the martial arts. All
the names of the practitioners that appear above were part of that
group of about twenty top Masters. Master "Iron" Kim's purpose was to
build his own wisdom, knowledge and understanding in the Moo Doe
traditions of the eight main styles. Regardless of how far he had to
travel or the difficulty of training, Master "Iron" Kim relentlessly
pursued, learned and absorbed the complete knowledge of form and
movement from these top practitioners. After completing the training,
Master "Iron" Kim then shared his knowledge of the Oom Yung / Chung Moo
style with the top members from this group. After seven years of
training and sharing his knowledge with the best practitioners in East
Asia, Master "Iron" Kim became one of a few elite practitioners who
were well rounded in the eight main martial art styles. He was one of
several Moo Doe practitioners responsible for uniting all Moo Doe and
capable of teaching eight martial arts together as one style or "All
Martial Arts United". Finally, after seven years, his wish that the Oom
Yung line could become "All Martial Arts United" became a reality.
Of the hundreds of millions of people who practice martial arts in
the 20th century, Master "Iron" Kim is one of fifty practitioners that
has achieved unprecedented fame and recognition for being the most
skilled in Moo Doe.
MASTER "IRON" KIM ESTABLISHES THE
OOM YUNG /CHUNG MOO STYLE IN THE UNITED STATES
Master "Iron" Kim's goal was to teach the Oom Yung /Chung Moo line
to people of all nations, and to do that, he planned to build a strong
foundation of martial arts in the United States from which to spread
worldwide. With this goal, Master "Iron" Kim left the Orient and came
to the United States in the early 1970's.
Upon arriving in the United States, Master "Iron" Kim felt he could
best begin to teach martial arts by first learning basic English and
American culture. In 1972, Master "Iron" Kim introduced the Kong Su
martial art style in the United States. It was in 1972 that Master
"Iron" Kim demonstrated the discipline and strength of (Kyong Gong Sul
Bope) by successfully jumping from the top of a building eleven stories
in height. Very few individuals have ever accomplished such a feat.
Between 1973 and 1979, after educating himself about the American way
of life, Master "Iron" Kim opened the first of four schools that he
owned in the United States. Many times in areas where schools became
established, the local paper would interview Master "Iron" Kim and
write articles about him and the Oom Yung /Chung Moo style of martial
arts.
In early 1975, Master "Iron" Kim briefly returned to Korea. It was
at this time that Grandmaster Wang Po, the 7th generation Grand Master
of Yin Yang Doe, passed to Master "Iron" Kim all the knowledge and
traditions that had been passed to him. Soon thereafter, the title of
8th generation Master of the Oom Yung line was bestowed upon Master
"Iron" Kim. Grandmaster Wang Po passed away in 1976 in Pusan at the age
of 93.
In 1975, after the untimely death of martial arts actor Bruce Lee,
Warner Brothers motion picture studios began their search for a
replacement. After auditioning martial arts "experts" from around the
world, Master "Iron" Kim was asked to screen test and was subsequently
pronounced Warner Brothers selection. At that time, Master "Iron" Kim
was forced to choose between a motion picture contract or to continue
teaching his art. Master "Iron" Kim chose to continue sharing his
knowledge, which has proven to benefit so many thousands of recipients
of his training. It was also in 1975 that Master "Iron" Kim was the
principal martial arts demonstrator for the promotional produced for
the feature film "Billy Jack".
In this exhibition, Master "Iron" Kim led approximately one hundred
twenty-five martial arts masters and experts from around the world
along with over one hundred actors and actresses. Again in 1975, Master
"Iron" Kim was the principal demonstrator for the International Martial
Arts Exhibition benefiting the "Asian Orphans Charity." Over thirty
masters and experts assisted Master "Iron" Kim in this worthy cause.
The proceeds from this charitable event provided aid to children of all
nationalities.
In 1976, Master "Iron" Kim taught U. S. military martial arts
instructors from all around the United States. These training sessions
were conducted at Master Kim's training center near Ft. Jackson, South
Carolina.
From 1977 through 1982, Master "Iron" Kim devoted his energies to
training a select group of black belt students who had previously
demonstrated both outstanding abilities coupled with the mental or
"chung" discipline that Master Kim requires of all advanced students.
Then beginning in 1983 and continuing through 1989, Master "Iron" Kim
concentrated on training selected 3rd degree through 8th degree
instructors and masters.
In 1989, Master "Iron" Kim chose the name Chung Moo Doe for the
first time in the United States to represent the heritage of the royal
line of martial arts for the first generation of practitioners.
The annual "Eight Martial Arts National Championship Tournament"
began in 1990 and has been held under the name of Chong Su Nim
(Honorable Founder) "Iron" Kim whose great skills are recognized
internationally. This event is held for both students and instructors,
with medals, trophies and certificates awarded at the competition's
end. Between 1990 and 1995, Master "Iron" Kim presented honorary
martial arts certificates to United States' Senators and Congressmen as
well as numerous judges, government officials, police and military
officers, television anchor persons, clergy and community leaders.
These individuals have all recognized the vital role that Master "Iron"
Kim's teachings have played in inspiring hundreds of thousands of
people throughout the years.
Master "Iron" Kim trained the instructors who demonstrated the
proper use of weapons and "empty hand" combat to members of the FBI
during the 17th Annual International Asian Organized Crime Conference
held in 1995.
In 1996, Chong Su Nim "Iron" Kim formally became Grandmaster "Iron"
Kim of eight different martial arts disciplines and retired. Unlike the
average retiree who turns their thoughts and life in a new direction,
Grandmaster "Iron" Kim has intensely undertaken the study of bettering
the physical and mental abilities of all age groups, with special
emphasis on the aging.
Throughout history, few have earned the status of Grandmaster.
Before he came to the U.S. in 1972, Grandmaster "Iron" Kim had achieved
the highest skills possible within the eight different Martial Arts
(Moo Doe). He is one of the very few people, to our knowledge and
belief, who can visibly demonstrate the miraculous Moo Doe strength
mentally and physically. Grandmaster "Iron" Kim is considered to be one
of the most powerful Moo Doe (Martial Arts) practitioners in the world.
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