Legacy and Lineage: The 23rd U.S. Taekwondo Grand Masters Society Convention Honors the Pioneers of American Taekwondo
Portland, Oregon | April 11–13, 2025
This past weekend, in the city of Portland, Oregon, the martial arts world witnessed more than a convention—it witnessed a living archive of dedication, history, and honor. The 23rd U.S. Taekwondo Grand Masters Society Convention, hosted by Grand Master Jay K. Shin, convened under the banner of remembrance and renewal, paying tribute to the very pioneers who introduced, shaped, and safeguarded the art of Taekwondo on American soil.
Held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton near the Portland Airport, the convention gathered a distinguished circle of grandmasters, masters, and community leaders from across the country—many of whom were instrumental in planting the early seeds of Taekwondo in the United States during the 1960s and 70s. Their stories, once forged in humble dojangs and unpaved beginnings, have now become the pillars upon which a national martial arts culture has been built.
The weekend was marked by reflection, recognition, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through a series of ceremonies, workshops, and heartfelt moments, the convention honored not only the technical mastery of its members, but also their moral and philosophical contributions to generations of students and communities. Taekwondo, after all, is more than movement—it is a way of life, and these grandmasters have lived it with unwavering integrity.
Under the leadership of Grand Master Shin and the U.S. Taekwondo Grand Masters Society (USTGS), this gathering was not merely a retrospective. It was a reminder that tradition and progress are not opposing forces—they are two hands of the same form, working in harmony to guide the next generation.
To Grand Master Jay K. Shin and the USTGS: thank you for keeping the flame burning.
To the pioneers: thank you for lighting the torch.
To the next generation: may you carry it with honor.
The past stands behind us, not as shadow, but as light. And because of these masters, that light will continue to lead the way.
