Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 22 | Issue 1

COVER STORY
What The Industry Has To Say…
Grandmaster Bill Clark
I applaud Kukkiwon for presenting former president Donald Trump with an honorary
black belt. This is not the first time an honorary degree has been given to serve a bigger
purpose, so it is good for the martial arts industry.
Previously, the ATA gave Bill Clinton a black belt instructor certificate, he came on our
stage and broke boards, and was a great advocate for us. We did the same kind of thing
for Obama and Bush which resulted in a great promotional value for the martial arts industry,
as this time will too.
I think anytime you can combine any type of hero, sports figure, or a politician that
really talks good about us it’s the best thing we can do. I don’t know what other publicity
stunt we could pull that would get more talk about us whether it’s good or bad.
So once again, I applaud Trump getting the award, but whether we use it or not to promote
the martial arts is another matter for each of us to determine for ourselves. I’m just
proud of the fact that someone did it, I wish it was ATA that had done that.
Grandmaster Choi
Both I and many Taekwondo masters have been thinking how our art could further or
better spread and be promoted throughout the world than normally. To me, it feels and
looks like the Taekwondo industry needs more promotion, and to have more attention, so
I was looking for something that would have a huge impact. My intention for initiating the
meeting between the Kukkiwon president Dong Sup Lee and President Donald Trump was
to help Taekwondo have a greater impact.
An-shu Stephen H. Hayes
Well I think that it’s a great thing. Anything that promotes more awareness of the martial
arts and the values that come along with a martial art I think that this is great. It goes
beyond whether you like Donald Trump or not, it goes to whether we are promoting an
awareness of what the martial arts can deliver.
From a Japanese cultural perspective a dojo is a meeting place where your awareness
becomes heightened and your being becomes more elevated because of the martial arts
experience. Some schools have a politician or businessman as a consultant even though
they may not do martial arts because they see the value of martial arts. The leader sees
value and supports the martial arts.
In the same likeness, giving former President Trump an honorary black belt shows the
world that he sees value in the martial arts. His influence as a leader is huge and him seeing
value in the martial arts is great for raising awareness of the martial arts values to our
communities if we take advantage of it.
Lee Milteer, Millionaire Smarts Coach
As a Success Coach every time I see people being acknowledged for their life efforts
towards the betterment of people I always Cheer!! I Was really thrilled to see in your
Martial Arts World News Magazine that Dong Sup-Lee, President of Kukkiwon, visited
President Donald Trump to award him with an Honorary Ninth Degree Black Belt in “Taekwondo”
a few weeks ago. We live in a time where people sincerely need inspiration and
self-empowerment role models. By acknowledging and honoring others for their good examples,
good traits, dedication, and leadership characteristics we give people permission
to emulate those behaviors. President Trump is clearly a fighter and to see him receive this
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