Grandmaster Hee Il Cho

Grandmaster Amrit Kalcutt is one of AIMAA's longest-standing members who presides over the West Midlands Schools of Tae Kwon-Do in England. First encountering Grandmaster Cho in the early 1980s, we are grateful and inspired by his unwavering support and dedication to furthering the art of Tae Kwon Do while continuing to honor AIMAA traditions.

Grandmaster Amrit Kalcutt is one of four to be promoted to Grandmaster rank within AIMAA in the last 45 years alongside Grandmaster Philip Ameris, Grandmaster John Darcy, and Grandmaster Peter Byrne.

On Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 2025, daughter Jasmine Cho presented a recognition of "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT" for Grandmaster Hee Il Cho and announced his induction into the Official Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame on behalf of Grandmaster Gerard Robbins, President and Founder and Grandmaster Tae Sun Kang, Vice President.

In addition to his inductions into the Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine Hall of Fame and Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame, Grandmaster Cho has also received dozens of proclamations, keys to cities, and accolades across the world. This Lifetime Achievement recognition by the Official Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame is a most befitting way to celebrate Grandmaster Cho's retirement and mark the end of an irreplaceable influence in contemporary martial arts history.

Letter from Grandmaster Philip Ameris, AIMAA Technical Director and USA Director. This letter was read aloud yesterday, Sunday, November 23rd, during the AIMAA International Black Belt Test held in Honolulu, Hawai'i—the last test Grandmaster Cho presided over before his anticipated retirement from teaching later this week.

Grandmaster Philip Ameris is Grandmaster Cho's most senior student, first meeting him at age 19, and maintaining a close student-master relationship consistently over the years that has deepened into a strong, familial bond. Grandmaster Ameris presently continues to teach students in New Kensington, PA.

Wishing safe and pleasant travels to everyone visiting AIMAA Headquarters Hawai'i this week. We look forward to seeing you all and training together very soon!

Anyone able to come is welcome to attend 🥋

Over the weekend, Hawai'i Headquarters welcomed young AIMAA students from Aiea who train under Mrs. Cathy Arcalas, a long-time senior student of Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. Making the days count until Grandmaster Cho's retirement at the end of the month 🙏

Grandmaster Hee Il Cho will now be moving up his retirement to the end of November. We greatly look forward to welcoming AIMAA members from around the world and celebrate his remarkable lifetime of dedication to Tae Kwon Do together.

Today, with deeply grateful hearts, we celebrate Grandmaster Cho's 85th birthday ☀️

This image is a screenshot from his message thanking everyone who contributed to his 80th birthday video during the pandemic in 2020. To this day, Grandmaster Cho is miraculously still teaching students from 5 to 50+ years, six days a week. He is a true living legend who embodies the principles he teaches and is an inspiration to us all.

Please feel free to e-mail him your birthday messages at [email protected].

UPDATE: Tsunami warnings have officially downgraded in Hawai’i. We expect to reopen and resume class as scheduled tonight, Wednesday 7/30. Thank you everyone for your prayers and concern 🙏

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Due to tonight's tsunami warning at 7pm in Hawai'i, Koko Marina Shopping Center is being evacuated. All classes at AIMAA HQ | Grandmaster Hee Il Cho's Tae Kwon Do Center are canceled. We hope everyone stays safe. Mahalo 🙏

Please note that the AIMAA Online Store is currently down. We are in the process of building a new website. In the meantime, feel free to e-mail directly with any merchandise stock inquiries at [email protected]. Thank you for your patience and understanding!