ATA Tribute | The Legacy of Eternal Grand Master H U Lee

A tribute to the 40 years of the American Taekwondo Association and Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee. In 1969, the ATA was born with 1 school in Omaha, Nebraska. Today, the ATA has grown with more than 1,000 schools and 250,000 students worldwide. visit ATAonline.com

[@scotlandward]

I remember as kid being in ATA so many memories breaking boards and learning the moves and different moves. Even remember the Hillsborough Christmas parade I was in as a kid with ATA. Lots of great memories. American Taekwondo Association always apart of me. Still know how to do all them moves. Still got a fist that can break ya nose with one punch.

[@karenkeby99]

wow H U Lee was a great man and will be and have a place in my hart

[@fredpine696]

Whatever you think of the ATA - Master Haeng Ung Lee was a great man. I met him when I was a member of the Lansing Judo and Karate School run by a young Robert Allemier. Both men were class acts. I moved away and never finished up, but my days at that school are memorable.

[@robertdubs9466]

I trained with the ATA from 1998 to 2002, under Master Brian Shipton (I believe he later became Senior Master), his wife, and their other staff, in Seven Fields, PA, just north of Pittsburgh, and got up to my 2nd Degree Black Belt. Master Shipton was in the final class to obtain the title of Master before Grand Master H.U. Lee's death, and I got my 1st Degree Black Belt soon afterwards. I did (sort of) meet the next Grand Master, Soon Ho Lee at a Taekwondo Tournament in Pittsburgh, on September 8, 2001 (Three days before the Terrorist attacks of September 11.) My uncle and cousin were both ATA instructors in Baldwin, PA, just south of Pittsburgh, and they met H.U. Lee, as well as many of the other chief and senior masters of that era.

[@strikerchamp]

We never will be able to pay to this great MAN and now Eternal Grand Master. Kan sahabni-da Kwang Yan NIM...

[@audreyharris304]

Why did people dislike this video????!!!!!

[@goldeneagle3608]

Because the ATA isn't what it used to be. Nowadays the ATA gives out black belts like candy. In other TKD styles like ITF it takes about 7-9 years to get a black belt. But in ATA it takes just just as little as 3 YEARS! Also I heard that ATA ranks are not recognized in Korea by the Kukkiwon or any organization. I know someone who quit the ATA because they gave out belts too easily.

[@colinf3963]

@@goldeneagle3608 but this video isn't about the current ATA. It's about an incredible man, who started training in taekwondo in Korea, moved to America, and founded Songahm Taekwondo.

[@darthbilly]

I am a white belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a 3rd Degree in Taekwondo under Chief Master Clark. Some people like the instant gratification that the ATA gives under its belt scheme. Some like traditional rankings. It's preference. Maybe ATA doesn't make you the next Randy Couture or the next Shogun Rua, but it did make me a focused, respectful, and social individual. I don't claim to be a saint, but the ATA taught me values, and certainly made me fit and flexible.

[@abelard2]

having a lot of patches is what is so cool about ATA

[@oOBulletsaint]

Its jut amazing how something so small can end up getting really big.

[@kbe1]

I am fortunate enough to have met the Eternal Grand Master before he passed away. I was like 8, so I cant remember it well, but I have a his signature on a few medals of mine.

[@BBXG3]

Man... watching this made me regret quitting.

[@101baberuth1]

it made me strong inside and out but most of all it healed me I used to be beaten, broken by the bullies and kids of my school They would crash my dreams and hurt me with their words until i was crying my eyes out i was alone..scared. i felt as i could do nothing to save myself when i became older i knew the true meaning of taekwondo now when teens try to make me fall i have the strength to go up and stand up for myself and say i don't care and if i do fall i will stand bak up and keep going.

[@TheCallMeCrazy]

Same here, I met him at World's. I've seen his school too...my dad went to a seminar or something. I was little so I don't remember much... I'm lucky to have lived so close to all of this! I'm less than an hour from Little Rock.

[@101baberuth1]

most people think martial arts is easy and people say they can beat a black belt even when they have no idea how to fight at all and some people just can't do it. It takes work and practice lots and lots of practice and theres a reason why. when u r a black belt u r a symbol of what u can do most importantly u r a hero to some people u can save that one kid getting beaten or the one who needs a person to trust, i have a saying ether u die a hero or live long enough to see the world burn in pain

[@981999able]

I am a part of ATA , and i am on orange belt 3 stripes , and my master is Master HOCKMAN

[@isissinvelo333]

Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee por siempre en el corazon de todos y cada uno de los artistas marciales de esta gran familia que es STF ATA y WTTU. Su luz siempre iluminara la estrella de Songahm. Nuestro sincero respeto y admiracion por siempre un TAF desde Argentina

[@adiosk8r55]

i have met him many times =] and many masters! my family use to be really close to Senior Master Longoria's...I am a second degree black belt. but haven't been for 2 years

[@LinkaTheShadow]

This is a kickass video!! Really touching! I'm a blue belt, I hope to get to be black belt some day. Nice video! Congratz!

[@TraditionalTKD]

ATA Taekwondo is an offshoot of Chung Do Kwan. So right from the start it came from a good background.

[@caligastia667]

Gracias ETERNO GRAN MAESTRO.

[@KittyKat7794]

last night i tested for my BROWN BELT, i was so nervous but i'm sure i passed, (Dec.20-10:43) ATA all the way!!!

[@cozydudeman]

i love ata its awesome

[@pestbytrade]

Currently I'm a 1st degree black belt my Instructor is 5th degree Uriah Breunig Rest in Peace Grand Master

[@filipinoguy101]

i wish i still trained in this. i stopped like 3 years ago

[@caligastia667]

Saludos desde Chile para STF Peru.

[@DaNxMa]

nice video muy bonito el tributo a grand master H. U. Lee saludos desde chile!!

[@kaformenex]

saludos a todos los miemros de ata (desde chile)

[@cozydudeman]

i love ata im awesome

[@caitlinbethgiles]

i am a first degree black belt my dad became a master in 2009

[@calmviews99]

Yeah!!

[@BaskervilleVA]

1 out of 100 students become black belt 1 out of 100 of those become instructors 1 out of 100 those become masters 1 out of 100 of those become grand masters thats what instructor Carvin told me when i got my black belt the day before i started my training what a shame

[@kbe1]

@Coldshadow25 Why thank you so much! :) So what form do you practice then? I really love taekwondo I have been unable to attend classes do to a dislocation and torn ligaments in my ankle. Which happened Sept. 3rd! And I still can't walk straight! I can't for it to be healed properly so I can get back in there! :)

[@vinniecousinofvito6401]

he is my grand master

[@TheMrReBot]

i go to ATA in GA

[@kirbyfan888]

HÖTÖ HÖTÖ HÖ!!!!!!!!!11111111ELEVENONEONE

[@andrewwheeldon3957]

What's with the sageant chevrons on the sleve? Good tribute !!!

[@Huhmasta]

@tyler5316 glad to hear it

[@ratonL]

Wow, I got the goosebumps... (in a good way)... =)

[@RockStar123199]

this saturday i am going to test for my black belt wish me luck

[@TheKillsJigsaw]

Im part of the oginazation, in fact im testing for my camo belt on oct 8 2010

[@Awesomestuff247]

I do ATA too

[@LocoRedKixx]

@wushustuntman brilliant comment.

[@Sevv9220]

Who were you facing?

[@michellelpinkful]

the. ata

[@michellelpinkful]

ata

[@brokenslash]

I am camou belt :)

[@backatchalol]

sung am tkd is what i take... and thats my master's name lol