GM Nardizzi’s Line of Instructors
A journey of guidance and mentorship from the founders of Taekwon-Do to today
Introduction
An old Korean proverb states:
Father and mother are the parents who bring me up, while the teacher is the parent who educates me.
GM Tong Wan Shin
Tong Wan Shin was GM Nardizzi’s first instructor and is now a Grand Master with the WTF. By the time Donato reached yellow belt grade, Tong Wan Shin had moved to Manchester, and the Putney school was taken over by Pan Sim Woon.
GM Pan Sim Woon
Pan Sim Woon, also now a Grand Master with the WTF, taught at Putney for a few months. When Pan Sim Woon left, the school was taken over by Raymond Choy.
GM Raymond Choy
Donato continued training under Raymond Choy until achieving Black Belt 3rd Degree. Choy eventually left the ITF in 1988 to form the British United Taekwon-Do Federation (BUTF). Donato remained loyal to the UKTA and the ITF, continuing his training with Master Rhee Ki Ha (7th degree at the time).
GM Rhee Ki Ha
Master Rhee conducted regular seminars in London for Black Belts. He later became the first person promoted to 9th Degree Grand Master by GM Choi Hong Hi. Donato was present for the historic promotion announcement on 1st July 1997 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
GM Choi Hong Hi
During the 1990s and up until 2001, Donato trained directly under Grand Master General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do. GM Choi traveled the world conducting International Instructors Courses (IICs), frequently visiting the UK. Donato attended many IICs globally, with the last in Budapest, 2001, where he was promoted to 7th Degree Master.
ITF Technical Committee
Following GM Choi’s passing, the IICs were conducted by the ITF Technical Committee, led by GM Marano (Argentina) and including GM Tran, GM Trajtenberg, GM Bos, and GM Lan. Donato continues to attend IICs today, training with the Grand Masters of the ITF to further develop his skills and knowledge.