Greetings!

It is my pleasure to invite you to celebrate the 20th Year Anniversary of the International Taekwondo Festival 2013. I extend a warm greeting to returning participants and a special welcome to those attending for the first time. I would also like to give my great appreciation to the Masters and Instructors who are devoting their time and energy to support and increase the popularity of Taekwondo in the USA

As we celebrate our 20th year we are honored to welcome the extraordinary Taekwondo pioneer Dr. Un Yong Kim to the International Taekwondo Festival as our special guest.  Dr. Un Yong Kim is the founding President World Taekwondo Federation, founder of Kukkiwon and former Vice President of the International Olympic Committee and is one of the most prominent influential man in Taekwondo history.  Through his dedication and leadership, Taekwondo was accepted into the Olympics as a medal sport in 2000 which I had the privilege of being the Head Coach for the USA Taekwondo Team in Sydney, Australia.  I am indebted gratitude to Dr. Kim because he helped Taekwondo become an Olympic sport which allowed me, a normal but passionate, to be able to attain the prestigious title of being an Olympian.  This honor I will have for the rest of my life and thirteen years later I am able to thank him by celebrating and paying tribute to Dr. Un Yong Kim's life of accolades and accomplishments at the 20th year anniversary of my event.  The IOC meeting held in Switzerland early this year and was announced that Taekwondo would still be one of 25 Olympic sport in the 2020 Olympic Games!  Let us come together to celebrate this wonderful news and give thanks to Dr. Un Yong Kim for his accolades.

In 1994, I began my first championship as the World Taekwondo Festival in Los Angeles and throughout 19 years the championship has evolved from the Samsung World Taekwondo Festival, the LA Open Championship, Young In Cheon Invitational and in 2008 took back the title the International Taekwondo Festival.  To celebrate our 20^th Anniversary we are taking a team (8 sparring athletes, 2 poomsae athletes, 1 coach 1 team leader) on an all expense paid trip to compete in Korea.  Senior Men and Women division 1^st place winners will earn a spot on the team. The purpose of the Festival is to give our youth the opportunity to achieve their goals and develop a winning attitude in life. We provide a beautiful outdoor venue, safe and fair matches, and a festive atmosphere. Spectators will receive a free program book and I promise to continue to bring high quality Taekwondo events that inspire the growth of Taekwondo.

The International Taekwondo Festival success would not be possible without the generous support from the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism Korea, Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles, Korea Tourism Organization Los Angeles, NRG Matrix and Dr. Dennis Carlo, World Taekwondo Federation, USA Taekwondo and the California Unified Taekwondo Association.

The International Taekwondo Festival is a place where athletes can come to Compete, Appreciate, and Celebrate Taekwondo at its Finest! I look forward to seeing you all at the 20^th Anniversary International Taekwondo Festival 2013!

Sincerely,

Young In Cheon 2000 USA Olympic Team Head Coach Tournament Director