At the start of the Congress of the 21st Senior and 15th Junior World Championships, in Inzell Germany, a special announcement was made to honour Grand Master Thomas MacCallum IX Degree. In recognition of his long service and devoting his life to Taekwon-Do he was bestowed the title of first Honourable Grand Master (Kwan Jang Nim) in the ITF.
Grand Master MacCallum this year celebrated 50 years in Taekwon-Do, for over 20 years served as Under Secretary General, then Secretary General, as well as 16 years serving on the Board of the ITF. For many years Grand Master MacCallum travelled extensively with General Choi Hong-Hi as his bodyguard and some would say as his right-hand man. This year Grand Master MacCallum stepped down from serving on the ITF Board.
Grand Master MacCallum is the first to receive the title; First Honourable Grand Master (Kwan Jang Nim) in the ITF. At any one time there will only be 9 Grand Master’s holding the titles.
Grand Master MacCallum’s History in ITF
Grand Master MacCallum was born in December 1942, and began training in Taekwon-Do in March 1969 at RAF Changi Singapore, with instructors Lee Byong Moo (6th Dan) and Lee Joon Jae (5th Dan).
He was promoted to 1st Dan on the 4th July 1971 by Master Han Cha Kyo with certificate no. S-130
On return to Scotland after a career in the RAF he founded three Taekwon-Do Schools; Bathgate, Livingston and Grangemouth. In 1985 Grand Master MacCallum (then 5th Dan) began work with the ITF as Under Secretary General, it was during this time that he accompanied and assisted General Choi Hong-Hi (Founder) on his International Course’s and duties.
During his time in Austria he also founded and taught at his schools Floridsdorf and Donausadt.
Some of Grand Master MacCallum’s achievements are listed below;
07 Mar 75 Promoted to 2nd Dan (B-2-13)
04 Sep 77 Promoted to 3rd Dan (B-3-11)
22 Mar 80 Promoted to 4th Dan (B80-4-6)
22 Mar 80 International Instructor ‘A’ (Cert no. 252)
22 Mar 80 International Umpire ‘A’ (Cert no. 188)
22 Jul 84 Promoted to 5th Dan (B84-5-2)
01 Sep 88 Promoted to 6th Dan (GB-6-1)
01 Mar 94 Promoted to 7th Dan Master (ITF-7-1)
02 Mar 01 Promoted to 8th Dan (ITF-8-1)
21 Mar 09 Promoted to 9th Dan Grand Master (GB-9-1)
1975 Award of the Blackbelt Grading for Power.
1977 Gold medal for Twimyo Dollyo Chagi (Jumping Turning Kick)
1975 to 1985 National Secretary UKTA from
1979 to 1985 Secretary of the All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation (AETF)
1985 to 2002 Under Secretary General of the International Taekwon-Do Federation
2002 to 2007 Secretary General of the International Taekwon-Do Federation
2007 to 2015 Treasurer of the International Taekwon-Do Federation
2012 to 2016 President of ITF Scotland
2015 to 2019 Board Member of the International Taekwon-Do Federation
May 2015 Inducted into the ITF Hall of Fame for contribution in the development of International Taekwon-Do Federation.
April 2019 Honourable First Grand Master (Kwan Jang Nim)
