on the 16th November 2025 Master Boyle of Inverclyde Cho’s Tae Kwon Do started his last travellers from Scotland to Hawaii to visit to Aimaa Hq in Hawaii to sit on the last International Black belt testing2025 under the watch full eye of Grandmaster Hee Il Cho 9th Degree.
the testing was on the 23rd Nov 10am sharp and was over seen By Grandmaster Hee Il Cho and his senior Grandmasters John Darcy and Peter Byrne 8th Degree and Master Charles Boyle 7th Degree and Master Karim Belgacem 6th Degree, it was a special occasion as had students from all over America and Scotland testing, with students going for 1st degree to 6th degree Masters, it was very tense and nerve-racking for all the students but it all went well on the day as everyone exceeded there great indomitable spirit, on achieving their new belt levels.
on the 23rd November 2025, Daughter Jasmine Cho presented a recognition of “LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT” for Grandmaster Hee Il Cho and announced his inducted into the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame.
On the 26th Nov senior students of Grandmaster Cho planed a last ever party for him in one of his favourite restaurant with special guest only from all the past and presents students who ever trained under Grandmaster Cho. it was a great night with a lovely varied selection of food laid out for everyone.
Master Boyle was said it was a honor and a privilege to be over for Grandmaster Cho’s last ever testing and retirement party as he has given 35 years to Grandmaster and 41 years to martial arts, and has the great memories from passing his 1st degree in 1988 and 7th degree master in 2022.
If you are interested in learning traditional Tae Kwon Do, please contact Master Boyle at our new TKD Hall at St Margaret Church, 67 Finch Rd, Greenock, PA16 7DE.
Classes are held from ages 6 years upwards, Tuesday and Friday nights. Upon your first visit, you will receive a week’s free trial under the tutorage of Master Boyle and his instructors, all who have accumulated over 70+ years of experience between them. Spaces are limited and some classes are full, so please get in contact if you are interested. or pop in on Tuesday or Friday nights any time between 6pm to 7pm junior class and 7pm to 8pm senior classes.
| A Lifetime of Tae Kwon Do “If you teach long enough, you realize that you want to pass along the spirituality, the belief that the individual can accomplish whatever they want. It’s a lifelong lesson.” ~Grandmaster Cho | |
| A true martial artist, one who has given inspiration to thousands of students for countless years, is none other than Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. Grandmaster Cho has devoted his life to the philosophies of his art as well as enhancements in techniques for nearly 50 years. His walk in martial arts began at the age of ten when he was left in humiliation after brutally being beaten up by a local gang. This early incident triggered his determination to never be unable to defend himself again. |
Continuing diligently and training daily, Grandmaster Cho received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of thirteen. Training was much more disciplinary and required arduous hours of overcoming both physical mental barriers. Grandmaster Cho was beaten black and blue several times before the experience of defeat became obsolete. Grandmaster Cho achieved Fourth Dan black belt when he was 21 and was selected to train the Elite Special Forces of the Korean National Army. He was also recruited to train the army Special Forces of India.
Grandmaster Cho was soon actively participating in many competitions and international championships, including martial arts and boxing. He quickly gained a reputation as a fierce fighter and forms competitor and won more than thirty national and international tournaments,.
In 1968, Cho immigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago. He spoke very little English, and the only thing he knew about the city was the name of its onetime gangster king, Al Capone. He didn’t know much more about the rest of the country, either. But he learned quickly. After a year, he moved to South Bend, Indiana, then Milwaukee, then New York City, usually working during the day and teaching tae kwon do in the evening before spending the night at the studio. Finally, in Providence, Rhode Island, he opened a small tae kwon do school and used the last of his meager savings to take out a small ad in the local paper. A couple of days later, he had fifty students. He never looked back. Within just a few years, Cho had opened eight schools throughout New England.
Twelve years after the United States became Grandmaster Cho’s new found home he founded the Action International Martial Arts Association (AIMAA) in hopes of creating a unified body of martial artists pursuing the peace and harmony of the art.
| Grandmaster Cho’s contributions to the martial arts have taken on many forms throughout the years, constantly adding to his already enormous list of achievements. Working day and night, Grandmaster Cho produced the most extensive and innovative training library known to the martial arts world. He is author of 11 books, producer of over 70 videos, and the featured martial artist on over 70 magazine covers. In addition, Grandmaster Cho has lead nearly 300 seminars, been inducted into both the Black Belt and Tae Kwon Do Times Hall of Fame, and has also appeared in the films Fight to Win, Best of the Best, Bloodsport II and Bloodsport III.His sincere dedication and humbleness clearly reflect in the classes that he continues to teach daily at his own school in Honolulu, Hawaii. Grandmaster Hee Il Cho is undoubtedly one of the most important ambassadors in martial arts and continues to bring about changes and ideas that help to improve the many aspects of the art.in photos are Master Boyle with Grandmaster Cho at black belt testing. 2nd photo is Master Boyle, Grandmaster Cho, Grandmaster Darcy and Grandmaster Byrne at Aimaa Hq. |