YH Park History-1979

Two Amazing Demos-Team YH Park and The Woosuk University Team-2014 Manhattan Open

Two Amazing Demos-Team YH Park and The Woosuk University Team

2014 Manhattan Open

May 12, 2014

TEAM YH PARK at the 2014 Manhattan Open

The Woosuk University Taekwondo Team at the 2014 Manhattan Open

27 Years Ago in Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy History

27 Years Ago in Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy History

The New York Times-June 1987

January 31, 2014-  It was the Summer of  1987.   Thanks, in large part, to the work of Grandmasters Yeon Hee Park and Yeon Hwan Park Taekwondo was expanding greatly throughout the United States and the world.    In June, the New York Times, the world's most respected newspaper, prominently featured the Y.H. Park Park Taekwondo Academy in their Sports section, in a feature entitled "A Martial Art Makes Western Friends", establishing nationwide credibility for the sport and for the Dojang.  This was the verge of an explosion of popularity, and this is all part of the proud history of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy.

21 Year Ago In Y.H. Park Taekwondo History

21 Year Ago In Y.H. Park Taekwondo History

Grandmaster Yeon Hee Park (L) and Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park (1993)

January 6, 2014- The time was July 1993.  The world's most famous Taekwondo brothers and Grandmasters, Yeon Hee Park and Yeon Hwan Park, graced the cover of Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine.

"Best of the Best" is how the esteemed Taekwondo publication characterized these icons of the sport.  Now, over 20 years later and that phrase still applies to "One of the Premiere Martial Arts Schools in the Nation".  This is all part of the proud 40 year legacy of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy.  This magazine cover and many other Taekwondo memories can be found at the Dojang in Levittown, NY.

20 Years Ago in Y.H. Park History-The 11th Taekwondo World Championships (1993)

20 Years Ago in Y.H. Park History-The 11th World Taekwondo Championships (1993)

Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park interviewed by ABC Sports at the 1993 World Championships

20 Years Ago in Y.H. Park History-11th World Taekwondo Championships at MSG

December 26, 2013- It was 20 years ago.  The most significant Taekwondo Tournament in the World, the 11th World Taekwondo Championships, was brought to NYC's Madison Square Garden by none other than Grandmasters Yeon Hee Park and Yeon Hwan Park.

This historic event set the stage for full Olympic Medal Status.  This is all part of the rich history of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy.

Grandmaster John Buran-2013 Golden Award Winner

Grandmaster John Buran-2013 Golden Award Winner

December 17, 2013- Grandmaster John Buran, Flushing Bank President, and Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy founding member, was honored at the 2013 Taekwondo Holiday Night Ball held on December 15, 2013 at the Dae Dong Manor in Flushing, NY.

As part of the evening's festivities and celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy, Grandmaster Y.H. Park bestowed the Golden Award upon Grandmaster Buran for his decades of contributions to the global development and enrichment of Taekwondo. Grandmaster Buran has distinguished himself as a community leader that has selflessly leveraged his goodwill in the support of the Taekwondo mission of "One World Through Taekwondo".

This award was presented on behalf of the NY Open Taekwondo Championships & Korean Cultural Organizing Committee and the U.S. Taekwondo Education Foundation, as well as the U.S. Taekwondo Leaders Union.

Thank you, Grandmaster Buran, and congratulations.

Grandmaster John Buran (left) and Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park
at the 2013 Taekwondo Holiday Nightball

Grandmaster Yeon Hee Park (left) and Grandmaster John Buran (circa 1990)

35 Years Ago in YH Park Taekwondo History

35 Years Ago in YH Park Taekwondo History

July 23, 2013- Senior Grandmaster Yeon Hee Park demonstrates his devastating, jumping side kick in 1978 while board breaking.   This is part of the great legacy of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy of Levittown, NY, celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.

Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary-A Taekwondo Practitioner's Perspective

Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary: A Taekwondo Practitioner's Perspective

June 11, 2013 marks the 40th Anniversary of the release of the Bruce Lee's film Enter The Dragon.  This Warner Bros film became an international sensation, grossing $25 million dollars in the United States alone in its first theater run.  Taekwondo practitioners may not always fully recognize the importance of this film, or Bruce Lee, to them or their art; however, it is substantial.

Bruce Lee was an individual whose persona and fame transcended one martial arts style.  The bold, courageous work done by Lee helped to make martial arts practice attainable to a western audience.  The popularization of martial arts by Lee forever made it impossible for the western world to be isolated and shielded from martial arts practice.  This tidal wave lifted all martial arts and martial artists and paved the way for Taekwondo Grandmasters like Yeon Hee Park and Yeon Hwan Park to flourish teaching the martial arts in the United States and, eventually, helped to get Taekwondo full medal status at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Coincidentally, Lee was no stranger to Taekwondo.  In 1964 he crossed paths with Jhoon Rhee and they became friends.  Rhee helped Lee develop his side kick.   It was this Taekwondo side kick that is prominently featured in the film Enter the Dragon by Lee, a visionary that some believe was the true founder of Mixed Martial Arts.

As legitimate proof that Bruce Lee and his films transcend not only martial arts styles but martial arts itself the Library of Congress, in 2004, selected Enter The Dragon for preservation as being, "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."   That speaks volumes about the impact of a great martial artist and cultural icon whose life ended before the full extent of his work could be appreciated.

2013 not only marks the historic 40th anniversary of the release of Enter The Dragon but also the 40th anniversary of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy.  Visit www.yhpark.com for more information and a preview of the Academy's upcoming 40th Anniversary events.