NEW GRANDMASTER FOR HVAA TAEKWONDO

When HVAA’s Taekwondo program reconvenes tomorrow night, the students will greet their new Grandmaster. Dr. Joseph Breitman, founder and director of the Taekwondo program, has achieved the ranking of Grandmaster with the achievement of his 7th Degree Black Belt.

The new Grandmaster of Lower Moreland, who has been practicing Taekwondo since he was eleven years old, will receive a 7th degree Dan certificate from the Korean National Gymnasium, the Kukkiwon, in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Breitman passed a highly demanding test consisting of demonstrating forms, sparring, breaking boards and writing a ten-page essay. He recently upgraded his certification from the World Taekwondo Academy to preside over the testing of black belts.

Grandmaster Breitman is the president of Prosthodontics Limited, PC, in Philadelphia. In addition to his practice of prosthodontics, Breitman is an Associate Professor at the Kornberg School of Dentistry of Temple University. As a volunteer, he has been coaching Taekwondo for HVAA since 2001. He also plays flute and piccolo for the Cardinal Dougherty High School Alumni Band, an organization that raises money for music scholarships.

Taekwondo is the art of self-defense that originated in Korea. It is recognized as one of the oldest forms of martial arts in the world, reaching back over 2,000 years. The name was selected for its appropriate description of the art: Tae (foot), Kwon (hand), Do (art). In the World Taekwondo Federation, students holding 1st-3rd dan are considered an Instructor. Students who hold a 4th - 6th dan are considered Masters. Masters who hold a 7th - 9th dan are considered a Grandmaster.

Pictured (left to right): Sangwon F. Kim, Grandmaster Joseph Breitman, Lou Giamo