Hanmadang History

The Olympic Sport aspect of Taekwondo constitutes only a small part of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is more importantly a Martial Art. Taekwondo’s true value is rooted in its traditions as a Martial Art.  Respect, Perseverance, Integrity, and Confidence are the intangibles that every true Taekwondo practitioner strives for.    Only 5% of Taekwondo practitioners are elite athletes with aspirations to compete at the Olympic Games.  The other 95% are families and children who train together to have regular exercise, reinforce family values, and learn valuable self-defense skills.

Unfortunately, many countries around the world are only focused on developing Taekwondo as an elite sport, with athletes’ only desire to bring home an Olympic Medal.  Some countries do not even practice with Taekwondo uniforms and belts and the simple and most important act of bowing.  The traditions of Taekwondo as a martial art are beginning to deteriorate in certain countries around the world.

In order to create more opportunities for Taekwondo practitioners around the United States and the world, Grandmaster Lee founded another Open tournament: the U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang in 2009.  But this tournament is more of a festival than a competition.  In Olympic Sport Taekwondo, there is always a winner and loser.  In the Hanmadang participants perform at their personal best.  In the Hanmadang, families and children can perform together.  The U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang focuses on Taekwondo as a Martial art.  The events of forms (poomsae), board breaking (kyukpa), and creative forms are what each Dojang are practicing today.  Grandmaster Lee created this event to maintain the martial arts aspect of Taekwondo and open opportunities for children and families to expand their skills.

The inaugural U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang was held in 2009 in Chicago, IL.

2009 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Chicago, IL.  Tournament Director Grandmaster KH Kim

2010 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Chicago, IL.  Tournament Director Grandmaster KH Kim

2011 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Chicago, IL.  Tournament Director Grandmaster KH Kim

2012 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2013 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2014 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2015 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2016 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2017 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Denver, CO.  Tournament Director Grandmaster Ki Soo Jung

2018 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2019 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2020 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Cancelled due to COVID19

2021 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Cancelled due to COVID19

2022 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Cancelled due to COVID19

2023 U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang — Colorado Springs, CO.  Tournament Director Master Jay Lee

2023