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.

Honoring 40 Years of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy

Honoring 40 Years of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy

December 20, 2013-   2013 was a very memorable year for the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy. While there were many achievements and accomplishments throughout the course of the year by the Academy, it's students, and instructors, the year was, particularly, significant because it marked the Academy's 40th Anniversary.  Over the past 4 decades the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy has distinguished itself "as one of the premiere martial arts school in the United States" (The NY Times); focusing on personal growth, as well as physical excellence.  

This short video celebration premiered at the 2013 Taekwondo Holiday Night Ball, held on Sunday December 15, 2013 in Flushing, NY.  While this video highlight's some of the amazing accomplishments of the past 40 years, it only scratches the surface of the countless numbers of students touched, milestones reached, and paths forged by this amazing institution.

As we embark on 2014 the best chapter of the story is about to be told as we begin to create the story for the highlight reel of the NEXT 40 YEARS of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy.   

Find out more at http://www.yhpark.com

Grandmaster Yeon Hee Park (left) and Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park (circa 1973)

Grandmaster Y.H. Park with Master Edward Park (l)
& Master Elliott Park (2013) (Photo Credit: James Haxton)

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)

The 2013 TaeKwonDo Holiday Night Ball & 40th Anniversary Celebration

The TaeKwonDo Holiday Night Ball & 40th Anniversary Celebration

December 16, 2013- Over 200 members of the regional Taekwondo community gathered, with the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy, last night at the Dae Dong Manor in Flushing Queens for the TaeKwonDo Holiday Night Ball.   This fantastic event marked, not only a celebration of the success of 2013, but also a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy.

Members of various Taekwondo schools dined as Master of Ceremonies, Master Edward Park, lead a program of music, raffles, awards, honors and celebrations.  In the backdrop of the cocktail hour the crowd had an opportunity to watch informative videos about the opening of the new Taekwondowon training facility in Muju, Korea.  During the evening they were treated to, first rate, live musical performances by, none other than Y.H. Park's own, Nina Park, and Jeeminn Lee.  Throughout the event the crowd was delighted by the musical stylings of Master and DJ Elliott Park.

In addition to a spread of gourmet food, drink and first class performances, several significant awards and scholarships were given out, including the Presidential Service Award to Y.H. Park Student and 3rd Dan Black Belt, Roy Garzon.   Fellow Y.H. Park Student and 2nd Dan Black Belt, Eman Tan, was awarded a Scholarship for his high academic performance and strong, personal character.

Grandmaster John Buran, founding Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy member and President of Flushing Bank was honored with the Golden Award for his countless contributions to the development and enhancement of worldwide Taekwondo.  The presentation of a massive trophy to Grandmaster Buran and the heartfelt praise of Grandmaster Y.H. Park was preceded by a moving, video tribute.

At the conclusion of the dinner portion of the event, the guests had the opportunity to view a video tribute honoring the 40th Anniversary of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy with photos dating back to Senior Grandmaster Park's days in South Korea, through the World Championships of 1993, the Olympics, the NY Open Championships and Korean Cultural Festivals, Citifield Demonstrations and so much more.  

Following the formal portion of the program, the crowd joined on the dance floor to conclude what, really, was a joyous celebration of the holidays, of 2013, of the promise of 2014, and of 40 years of excellence, both in and out of the Dojang.

Another Successful Black Belt Power Weekend!

Another Successful Black Belt Power Weekend!

Some of the November 2013 Black Belt Power Weekend Candidates

2nd Dan Jason Apketar
Becomes an Instructor

YH Park 7th Dan & Flushing
Bank President Congratulates
Students

November 27, 2013-   Candidates for promotion endured and rejoiced in another YH Park Taekwondo Academy Black Belt Power Weekend this Friday November 22-Saturday November 23, 2013.  Students testing for Conditional Black Belt status, through 3rd Dan, spent two days at peak performance being tested on such areas as Poomse, Kicking Combinations, Kicking Techniques, Sparring, Board Breaking, Conditioning and so much more.  

The weekend was not all hard work, though, as the students were treated to a world class weapons seminar by Master Ou Nam Kwon, as well as Korean Cuisine and some inspirational words and messages from school leaders and alumni.

This event is unlike any other martial arts promotional exam, anywhere in the United States, preserving the YH Park Taekwondo Academy's status as, "... the Premier Martial Arts School in the Nation by the N.Y. Times"

Top of Their Class!

Degree Candidates Honored With Trophies

YH Park TKD Academy Teams With Nassau County For Sandy Victims

YH Park TKD Academy Teams With Nassau County For Sandy Victims

November 20, 2013-  In the boardroom of the historic Nassau County Executive's Office in Garden City, NY Grandmaster Y.H. Park and Master Edward Park delivered to, newly re-elected, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano a check for $4,000.00 as a donation towards assisting the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  

This donation represented the proceeds of the admissions fees from the 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival held last month in Nassau County, at the historic Cantiague Park Ice Arena.  The Parks and the YH Park Taekwondo Academy are no strangers to philanthropy, as they have a long history of community activism and charitable works.   Donating the proceeds of the annual NY Open Championships and Korean Cultural Festival has become an honored tradition, which has demonstrated the strength of partnering private and public agencies to help the local community.  Past recipients have included F.R.E.E. and North Shore Family Guidance Center.

Father Kevin Smith, who runs the Nassau County Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund, was on hand to accept the donation and expressed his gratitude in the Academy's generosity, which comes a year after the devastating storm and will help so many of the families still in dire need of aid.

At the event Grandmaster Park presented County Executive Mangano with an honorary GOLD Medal for his support of athletic programs in Nassau County and Nassau County Executive Mangano handed out Citations to honor key volunteers.

To find out more about the exciting activities involving the YH Park Taekwondo Academy in Levittown, NY visit www.yhpark.com 

YH Park TKD Academy Holiday Ball & 40th Anniversary Celebration

Annual Holiday Ball

&

40^th Anniversary Celebration!

Please join us on Sunday, Dec. 15^th to say a fond goodbye to 2013, give a warm welcome to 2014, and celebrate 40 years of YH Park TaeKwonDo Tradition!

We will be joined by a number of Grandmasters, Masters, dignitaries & New York Open TaeKwonDo Championships/Korean Cultural Festival participants!

Date:        Sunday, Dec. 15^th, 2013

Address: Dae Dong Manor

150-24 Northern Blvd.

Flushing, NY 11354

(718)-939-2555

Schedule

5:00-6:00pm – Hors d'oeuvre & Cocktail hour

6:00-6:30pm – Awards Ceremony, (Scholarships & Presidential Awards)

6:30-7:30pm – Dinner / Raffle (great prizes!)

7:30-10:00pm – DJ Entertainment

Adult/Teen - $50/ per person

Children 10 & under - $35/ per child

Reserve a seat today, as space is limited!

***Please stop by the Dojang or RSVP either by phone (516)-735-3434 or email (epark@yhpark.com) by Dec. 10^th

January 2014 Taekwondo Times Magazine to Feature The YH Park Taekwondo Academy

January 2014 Taekwondo Times Magazine to Feature The YH Park Taekwondo Academy

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

November 8, 2013- The January 2014 Issue of TAEKWONDO TIMES Magazine will feature:

Grandmaster Y.H. Park

Master Edward

& Master Elliott

in a three (3) page, Full Color Article entitled “Passing The Torch”.  This article was written by YH Park 1^st Dan Marc Zirogiannis, with photos by student, James Haxton.  This exciting interview explores the foundations and history of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy, from Grandmaster's days in South Korea until today's thriving program, under the direction of Master Edward Park.  This is just the most recent in a long history of publications, over the last 40 years, to feature the accomplishments of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy, from Black Belt Magazine to the New York Times.

In order to be able to purchase a sufficient number of copies of the issue for the Dojang they are taking pre-orders.  If you are interested in reserving a copy of the issue please visit the Dojang, or email epark@yhpark.com.

The cost for the issue will be $7.00

Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Students Celebrate 2013 NY Open Medal Winners

Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Students Celebrate 2013 NY Open Medal Winners

2013 YH Park NY Open Medal Winners

Contact:  Master Edward Park (516) 735-3434

LEVITTOWN, October 26, 2013 – It is with much excitement that Y.H. Park’s Taekwondo Academy introduced it’s tournament medal winners on Saturday October 26, 2013 in a ceremony and photo session in Levittown, NY.  These students, from ages 4-60 years old, trained rigorously for months and competed in the 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival held on Saturday October 19, 2013 at the historic Cantiague Park Ice Arena, located in Hicksville, NY.

Over 350 competitors from around the globe came together for this festival to compete and showcase their skills in forms, pair forms, board breaking, competitive sparring, and, for the first time, weapons' competitions.  Y.H. Park’s Academy students earned an unprecedented number of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals in all categories.  Most significantly, the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy’s renowned Demonstration Team earned a Silver medal in the team Demo competition, solidifying it’s position as one of the premiere Demonstration Teams in the United States.

This annual event continues to grow in size and prominence as a celebration of martial arts, Korean Culture, and philanthropy.  The proceeds from the admissions charge will be donated at a later date to The Nassau County Sandy Recovery Relief Fund.   Nassau County was be a major supporter of this event which was also sponsored bY Flushing Bank, FSB, Dynamics Martial Arts Supplies, Korean Cultural Services of NY and more.

For information on the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy, please visit  www.yhpark.com

YH Park Taekwondo Academy Featured on News 12

YH Park Taekwondo Academy Featured on News 12

October 10, 2013-

County Executive Mangano And YH Park Taekwondo Academy Join Forces To Help Sandy Victims

County Executive Mangano And YH Park Taekwondo Academy Join Forces To Help Sandy Victims

October 7, 2013- The scene was the County Center in Mineola, NY.  It was 11:00AM.  A small crowd of press, public and interested parties gathered to hear Nassau County Executive, Ed Mangano, formally declare Saturday October 19, 2013, the date of the 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival, "Taekwondo Do Day" in Nassau County.  The County Executive lauded the event and its sponsor for the continued contributions and philanthropic work done in Nassau County.  This exciting Press Conference was an important precursor to the actual event which shall take place in less than two weeks at the historic Cantiague Park Ice Arena in Hicksville, NY.

This declaration is more than a mere honor bestowed upon the YH Park Taekwondo Academy for sponsoring one of the premiere martial arts and cultural events in the country; it is an acknowledgement of the power of the partnership between local government and private enterprise.  The NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival has become a major event, which brings international attention, visitors, revenue, and excitement to Nassau County.

Perhaps the most significant contribution of the NY Open Taekwondo Championships has been the charitable giving that the event sponsor, The YH Park Taekwondo Academy, has undertaken.  In the past, major charitable organizations have benefited from donations from the proceeds of the event's admission revenue.  This year is no exception.  It was announced at the Press Event held today that the proceeds of this year's event will be donated to the Nassau County Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.  This organization provides vitally needed funds to victims of last year's Hurricane, which devastated parts of our region.  The donation from the event's proceeds will make a measurable contribution in improving the lives of residents of Nassau County, which is all part of the philanthropic mission of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy.

The 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival will take place on Saturday October 19, 2013 at 9AM at the Cantiague Park Ice Arena in Hicksville, NY.

For more information on the event visit: http://www.yhpark.com or call (516) 735-3434.

24 YEARS AGO IN YH PARK TAEKWONDO HISTORY

24 YEARS AGO IN YH PARK TAEKWONDO HISTORY

October 2, 2013- Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park, gracing the cover of December 1989's Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated demonstrates his devastating, signature, jumping back kick into the chest of Sabunim David C. Hayes.   This is part of the great legacy of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy of Levittown, NY, celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.  This magazine cover, together with many other great memories, adorn the halls of the Dojang located at 3701 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY 11756.

YH Park Taekwondo Academy Nominated Best of LI 2014!

YH Park Taekwondo Academy Nominated Best of LI 2014!

October 1, 2013- The YH Park Taekwondo Academy has been nominated as the "Best Martial Arts School on Long Island" once again this year.  This annual contest, hosted by The Bethpage Federal Credit Union and The Long Island Press has become a trusted part of living and doing business on Long Island.

To vote for The YH Park Taekwondo Academy  as "Best Of Long Island Martial Arts" please follow the simple instructions below:

Vote DAILY and Vote often between now and 11:59pm on December 15

Welcome to BOLI - 2014 Ballot - Sports & Activity!

 

http://vote.longislandpress.com/engine/YourSubmission.aspx?contestid=104711

1.       Click on “Vote”

2.       Scroll down to “Martial Arts”

3.       Click next to “YH Park TaeKwonDo Academy – Levittown”

4.       Scroll down to the bottom of the page

5.       CHECK the box accepting the “Terms of Service”

6.       CLICK the “ENTER NOW” button

7.       Return every day and repeat!

YH Park Taekwondo Academy in the November 2013 Taekwondo Times

YH Park Taekwondo Academy in the November 2013 Taekwondo Times

September 27, 2013-The November 2013 issue of Taekwondo Times hits the newsstands next week and the YH Park Taekwondo Academy and its students, once again, are prominently featured.

The YH Park Demonstration Team is praised on page 19 of the magazine for their world class demonstration in Flushing Queens which was a predecessor to the K-Tigers performance in a piece entitled K-Tigers Sell Out NYC.

On pages 62-63 of the magazine, lead correspondent and YH Park Taekwondo Academy Black Belt, Marc Zirogiannis' monthly fitness column entitled Improving Core Strength For Martial Artists, is beautifully laid out with accompanying photographs.

Look for more press coverage of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy as the 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships & Korean Cultural Festival approaches.