Father of American Taekwondo Grand Master Jhoon Rhee celebrates his 80th birthday with 100 pushups in 59 seconds at the U.S. Capitol Cannon House Caucus room on September 30, 2010. Critics on the push ups are accepted only from people aged above 80 :) :)
Jhoon Rhee, the renowned Korean-American taekwondo practitioner, known as the 'Father of American Taekwondo,' celebrated his 80th birthday in a unique way. On September 30, 2010, at the U.S. Capitol Cannon House Caucus room, Rhee amazed everyone by performing 100 pushups in just 59 seconds. He set a remarkable example of physical fitness and agility, proving that age is just a number. In a fun twist, he humorously stated that only people above the age of 80 were allowed to critique his pushups.
Born on January 7, 1932, in Asan, Hoseo, Korea, during the Japanese occupation, Rhee began his martial arts training at the young age of 13 without his father's knowledge. He trained under Nam Tae Hi and graduated from the Chung Do Kwan, a prestigious martial arts school. Rhee furthered his education while serving as an officer in the Korean Army, eventually attending Southwest Texas State College in 1956 and later earning an engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Throughout his legendary career, Rhee made significant contributions to the world of martial arts. In the 1960s, he befriended Bruce Lee, who taught him the "Accupunch," a lightning-fast technique that Lee himself had mastered. Rhee, in turn, imparted his knowledge to other martial artists, such as Pat Burleson and Allen Steen, who helped establish influential martial arts associations in the United States.
Rhee achieved further recognition when he starred in his only martial arts movie, "When Taekwondo Strikes," and later met boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who was impressed by Rhee's skills. Known for his martial arts prowess, Rhee operated a network of 11 studios across the Washington, D.C. region, becoming a well-known figure in the area.
In 2007, Rhee was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame, recognized as both a 'Pioneer of American Taekwondo' and the 'Pioneer of Taekwon-Do in Russia.' His legacy as a martial arts pioneer was solidified, and his impact on the world of taekwondo continues to be celebrated.
Jhoon Rhee passed away on April 30, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and dedication to the art of taekwondo.
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