GM Trân Triêu Quân, the President of International Taekwon-Do Federation in the years 2003-2010

To all well-wishers of Taekwon-Do!

On January 12th passes the third anniversary of the tragic events which took place on Haiti and had brought disastrous effects. During the earthquake in 2010 that lasted 20 seconds, over two hundred thousands of people died, more than three hundred thousands were injured and about two millions of Haiti inhabitants lost their houses.

One of those who lost their lives was GM Trân Triêu Quân, the President of International Taekwon-Do Federation in the years 2003-2010.

In those days we are recalling his warmth, pragmatism, diligence and accomplishments. Our thoughts are with him and his family.

Despite the fact that he was the ITF President only seven years, his conception of building a democratic organization which works together with its members and for its members, become an inspiration for present leaders and a new quality in martial arts.

The time of GM Tran’s presidency was particularly difficult, due to the fact that it had happened directly after the death of the founder and ITF President, Gen. Choi Hong Hi. Nevertheless, GM Trân Triêu Quân left a lasting mark throughout his work, activity and visions. He was a person, who had made a valuable contribution in the unification of the Taekwon-Do society, skillfully bringing together people, leaders raised on the values of the Eastern and Western philosophy.

GM Trân Triêu Quân was a visionary. He did not think how Taekwon-Do will look like in few years, but in a few dozen. His Taekwon-Do vision is still alive through the actions of his successors. Currently ITF is developing dynamically, the number of the member countries is increasing, but what is more important the organizational structure in those countries is enhancing. The National Associations are aware of the fact that they need to improve themselves and work in much widen context than it was before. Their activity range and their mission are much more diverse.

We can easily say that three years after GM Trân Triêu Quân had passed away, the rules formulated by him are being realized by his successors with a good result. He had believed that we should concentrate on our own activity, act rightly, rely on the truth without propaganda “fireworks”, build a team which is pursuing determined goals and is not concentrating itself around particular interests of each leader. This strategy works well and its effects are visible already now, but with each year they will be more noticeable. Thanks to that strategy our adepts are and in the future will be proud of the membership in our ITF.

I am also proud of the fact that I had an opportunity to meet and to work together with Grandmaster Trân Triêu Quân and it is an honor for me to continue in part his work.

Yours sincerely
Master Tadeusz Łoboda
AETF President