Grand Master I.K. Kim 1941-2015

Historical Lineage

• Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868 – 1957)

o   Founder of Shotokan Karate-Do ("Father of Modern Karate")

• Grand Master Byung Jik Ro (1919 – 2015)

o   Founder of Song Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do

• Grand Master Il Kwon Kim (1941 to 2015)

o   Founder of Ja Be Ryu Tae Kwon Do

Our Founder

Grand Master I.K. Kim was the founder and President of the I.K. Kim Ja Be Ryu Tae Kwon Do Organization and a 9th degree black belt.   He was also President of the World Martial Arts Federation and an internationally known authority on martial arts. Grand Master Kim studied under Grand Master Byung-Jik Ro who studied under Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi.  

Grand Master Kim was born in Korea and started training in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 7.  After earning his criminal law degree from Korea University, he travelled to the United States where he studied Economics and History at University of Cincinnati.  In 1967, he started the I.K. Kim Tae Kwon Do Centers. Ja Be Ryu is the style that has resulted from Grand Master Kim's over 60 years-experience.

Grand Master Kim has entrusted the continuation of his Organization and his Legacy to the Kim Family and a select group of his Masters. This Team will ensure that the highest standards of instruction at each gym location continue and are maintained.  This Team shares the same vision that Grand Master Kim had for his Organization and for his students. 

Leadership Team:

Master S. Kim/Kim Family

Senior Master J. Metzner

Senior Master R. Metzner

Senior Master S. Eveslage

Senior Master M. Zimmer

Master K. Marner