Interviewing Grand Master Dr Andy Mencia. A life dedicated to Taekwondo
- Corinne Galoway
- 7 nov 2023
- 5 Min. de lectura
By Corinne Galoway
As previously reported here in the newspaper, on September 29th and 30th, in Smithfield NC, the 23 Global Open Kukkiwon took place, a prominent sporting event that attracted athletes from more than 30 countries, coaches and enthusiasts from around the world. At this event we had the opportunity to witness Grand Master Dr Andy Mencia up close with his 8th DAN distinction, receiving from the hands of the president of Kukkiwon itself, GM Dr Lee Dong Sup, the award in recognition of his notable contributions to the sport. Today we will talk to the person honored that day, we will learn a little more about his journey and his perspectives for the future of Taekwondo (TKD).
GM Dr Andy Mencia is a respected figure in the world of martial arts, has decades of experience and accumulated knowledge. He has in his CV and contributions to the sport, for example: Former President of the USA ITF Fed., Former President of the ITF Anti-Doping Committee, Founder of IITO, was also a Taekwondo Instructor in the US Army, and also contributed significantly to the literature of the sport. sport in the country.
Dear reader, in order to make reading easier, we will divide our interview into two parts.
I started by asking the Grand Master about his journey in Taekwondo and When and why did you start training. I also asked about their biggest challenges.
I was introduced to TaeKwon-Do (TKD) at a very young age in Hawaii. Prior to Tkd I trained Karate which was very popular in Hawaii and I had already knowledge of Judo and Hakido. After I received my black belt in TDK with Master David Kim, my friend was invited to a meeting requested by Master Kyo Woon Lee, an ex-ROCK Army Korean instructor who was relocated to Hawaii by Gen Brook (one of the first black generals in the US Army. At that meeting were all black belts of different ranks. Master Lee explained that he came to introduce TKD Oh Do Kwan style to the 25th Infantry Division and he wanted black belts that were willing to remove their rank and start from the beginning as a white belt. Almost everyone turned him down (including my friend who invited me). I bowed my head with shame until he talk to me and asked me. I was super happy to begin all over again. Mater Lee and I became like family; we trained together, ate together and I would help with his house shores and personal issues. Our soldiers were assigned to TKD intensive full-time six day training program with us and if they passed all the tests and requirements then they would go back to their respective companies and would be assigned to teach TKD as part of the daily one hour Physical Training. I advance at such a speed that many of us were undefeated champions at the majors martial events. When Mix Martial Arts (called Free Style Fighting) we also took the championships. Our popularity became our worse enemy. Master Lee got invited to a “private dinner” and as he was exiting his car in that parking lot, six armed men open fire on him and killed him. During my time with him I was able to perform a tkd demonstration for USA President Herry Ford and Meet the Founder of ITF TaekwonDo, Gen Choi Hong Hi. After the assassination of my master I was asked to relocate out of Hawaii and since I was serving in the US Army, I got transferred to Washington DC. From here I was able to visit and to know then Master Jung Rhree, Father of the USA TKD, and He advised me to organized the NY City TKD. After completing my Military Duty I relocated to New York and with the approval of Gen. Choi who was living in Mississage, Canada, I started teaching TKD Oh Do Kwan style to the civilian population. The organization was called IITO (International Institute of TKD Oh Do Kwan) which thanks to the excellent and loyal young men that supported my vision we grew to multiple universities in NYC and several countries.
I eventually became the first non-causation, non-korean USA TKD ITF president and was the first Chairman of Anti-doping to served with the ITF headquarters under ITF President Chang Ung.
We know that GM Andy Mencia had the opportunity to visit several countries taking the teachings of TKD. So I asked him the following question: You have traveled a lot teaching Taekwondo, how have these trips influenced your life?
There is not one country I had visit that did not teach or influence my personal growth. From the poorest country to the more developed one, each country influenced me with their culture, language, and people. I saw the upmost desire to learn from counties like Haiti, Cuba and Dominican Republic; the enormous humbleness in Nepal, Malesia, India and Thailand. The hospitality in Brazil, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the central American countries and Mexico. Of all the over 30 countries I have visit I have the enormous reception in North Korea, while there on multiple occasions, the North Korean were extremely hospitable and friendly. I have no restriction traveling by myself and wherever and whenever I pleased. I got to live history when in South Korea, Greece, Germany, France and Italy. Above all I learned to appreciate the things we daily take for granted in the USA. If I would have the power to dictate a law, it would be that no one can get a master or doctoral degree without having travel outside of their country.
About the philosophy behind Taekwondo, how has it influenced your life? How do you believe the lessons and values of Taekondo can be applied to different aspects of life?
TKD is based I five tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. These tenets mold my character in my life. To be courtious toward others, hence respecting the elders and our social leaders as well as our authorities. The principles have help me strengthen my sense of integrity. A person with integrity asure that he yes is yes and no is no; that whatever is trusted on us we will never sell ourselves short of our responsibility. Many people drop out of collage or end up in divorce due to the lock of perseverance. When I choose a path or goal, I proceed consistently. We are faced with all forms of tentations but when we have self-control we can always choose righteously. When you have self-control, you have the ability to become a good leader toward others. By having an indomitable spirit, I developed a high sense of striving to complete my goals and when the body can’t go, I enter in a sense of “mind over matter”. Many are unaware of the potential power of the mind God had created for human. All these qualities and virtues are always as intended by our creator, to do good and protect the weaker. TKD requires self-restraint, kindness toward others, forgiveness and love of one’s fellow human beings. All forms of life are valued. I am responsible for honor my learning and teaching by: never misusing TKD, becoming champion of freedom and righteousness, and do my part everyday to help build a more peaceful world.
Do you continue training? What is your training routine?
TKD is “a way of life”. I am responsable for caring for the body given to me by God, I always train and always happy to teach others. Despite one’s responsibilities with society: father, son, brother or sister, teacher or student, head-of-housewhole or neighbor we always have some time to dovopt to keep our body and mind “tuneup”. I pray and meditate daily.
To be continued…
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