RENO, NEV.--After more than 35 years of studying and teaching
Taekwon-Do, Master Robert N. Wheatley understands that his most
difficult challenges are ahead of him as the recently elected
President of the United States International Taekwon-Do Federation
(USITF). The USITF is affiliated with the International Taekwon-Do
Federation (ITF) which has schools in 115 countries.
"Growing a national organization dedicated to teaching the true
traditional form of Taekwon-Do as developed by General Choi Hong
Hi, is an exciting opportunity," said Master Wheatley. "I am humbled
by the support of many martial artists and schools across the
country and will dedicate my best efforts to make the USITF an
effective and strong organization.
"At the same time," Wheatley continued, "I am very aware of how
difficult it can be to persuade martial artists to adhere to the
standards of the USITF. Each martial artist has strong opinions
about techniques and teaching. The USITF will work to demonstrate
to Taekwon-Do practitioners the benefits of General Choi's
scientific methods."
Master Wheatley is a 8th degree black belt and is an official
International Instructor/Examiner of the ITF. He has been teaching in
America since 1983.
A native of Ireland, the 54-year-old Master began studying various
disciplines of martial arts while attending school in London from
1966-1970. Although he practiced and developed proficiency in
Kenpo, boxing and Jiu-jitsu, Master Wheatley did not take formal
exams in any of these arts.
Upon his return to Ireland in 1970, he was introduced to the
spectacular kicking and flying techniques of Taekwon-Do. Under
the instruction of Master Rhee Ki Ha, Master Wheatley and a handful
of students began practicing Taekwon-Do. By 1973, Master
Wheatley had begun teaching as an instructor for the Republic of
Ireland Taekwon-Do Association in Dublin and Arklow, County
Wicklow.
Master Wheatley's career in Ireland, England and America garnered
numerous awards including:
• First in patterns and second in power breaking at the 1975 Irish
National Championships, which were presided over by General
Choi and many other Korean masters, including Master Rhee.
• At the 1977 Irish/European Championships, Master Wheatley took
first place in power breaking, third place in patterns and he
captained the overall winning sparring team for Ireland. Competitors
from Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Wales and Canada
participated in the event.
• At Ireland's South Leinster Championships in 1980, Master
Wheatley was awarded first place in power breaking, second in
sparring and third in patterns.
Besides competing, Master Wheatley studied under General Choi
for nearly three decades at numerous seminars, private instruction
and courses, including General Choi's final Masters Course in
Vienna, Austria in 2002. (General Choi passed away June 15, 2002.)
As a result of this lifelong study of Taekwon-Do, Master Wheatley
formally tested and has been awarded numerous belts and titles:
• 1st degree black belt was awarded to Master Wheatley in 1976.
• In 1978, he tested successfully for 2nd degree black belt under
General Choi. Also in 1978, Master Wheatley passed his first
International Instructor's exam under General Choi.
• In 1979, Master Wheatley qualified as an International Umpire and
Referee under General Choi in Dublin.
• Still residing in Ireland, Master Wheatley successfully tested for
3rd degree black belt in 1981. An Irish newspaper praised Master
Wheatley as, "One of Irelands most physically active and respected
martial artists."
• In 1982, Master Wheatley passed the second International
Instructor's exam and was recognized as an official International
Instructor of the ITF. An additional Instructor course was completed
in 1991 and he began teaching Instructor courses in subsequent
years.
• After moving to the United States in 1983 and becoming an
American citizen, Master Wheatley successfully tested for his 4th
degree black belt under a panel of Korean and American examiners
headed by the President of the United States Taekwon-Do
Federation (USTF) Grand Master C. E. Sereff.
• In 1984, Master Wheatley was appointed California State Director
and Regional West Coast Director for the USTF.
• In 1986, the "Who's Who of Martial Arts" honored Master Wheatley
with a features listing in their annual publication.
• His 5th degree black belt was awarded in 1987 under General
Choi, Park Jung Tae and Grand Master Sereff.
• Appointed as ITF Ambassador to Mexico in 1987 by General Choi.
• In 1989, Master Wheatley was inducted as the first Irishman and
European into the Karate Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
• In 1992, Master Wheatley was elected as Vice President of the
USTF and was awarded his 6th degree black belt and overall high-
test score for the USA under a large panel of examiners headed by
Grand Master Sereff.
• In 1994, Master Wheatley entered his team in the U.S. Nationals
held in Las Vegas where they won many individual medals and took
home the overall team spirit award. At the world championships in
Malaysia, General Choi announced that Master Wheatley was to be
awarded the Outstanding Instructor Medal for the ITF.
• At the 10th World Championships held in Russia in 1997, Master
Wheatley was selected to be an official judge for the event.
• In 1998, Master Wheatley was promoted to 7th degree black belt
and Master Instructor.
• Because of his career-long focus on power breaking, Master
Wheatley was appointed as the official power development and
breaking instructor for the USA in 1999.
• Master Wheatley was elected President of the USITF in 2002.
Teaching the art of Taekwon-Do has been the life-long avocation for
Master Wheatley and he has founded numerous schools during his
career. In 1979, for example, he opened the renowned Greystones
School of Taekwon-Do in County Wicklow, Ireland. Greystones
became known throughout Europe for its high standard of
technique, superb fighters, national champions and large
membership.
After moving to America and becoming an American citizen in 1983,
Master Wheatley successfully ran schools in Santa Barbara and
Lompoc, Calif. He also opened another Taekwon-Do studio at
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This studio became the
Region One headquarters for the USTF. After moving to Reno, Nev.,
in 1995, he opened Reno's Wheatley Taekwon-Do Academy.
Because of his dedication to teaching Taekwon-Do, Master
Wheatley has been asked during his career to apply his talents to
instructional material developed by the ITF. In 1984, he assisted
General Choi and was featured in the production of the 15-volume
encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. In 1990, he also assisted General
Choi in the production of a series of instructional videotapes for the
USTF. In 1999, at the request of General Choi's son, Master Choi
Jung Hwa, Master Wheatley assisted in the production of the
Taekwon-Do Legacy CD rom videotapes. He was featured
performing Taekwon-Do techniques for power breaking and power
development.
Throughout his career, Master Wheatley has traveled frequently
throughout America and Europe to conduct seminars and courses
on Taekwon-Do. In 2000, he ventured farther afield when he
instructed a one-week Millenium World Camp for the International
Taekwon-Do Foundation New Zealand. His seminars on power
breaking are particularly popular.
Master Wheatley has a 23-year-old son, Paul, who is a 3rd degree
black belt in Taekwon-Do. Now married to Mala, a native of India,
Wheatley's stepchildren, Arjun and Shivani Dhingra are also
students of Taekwon-do. Shivani, 15, will be testing for her black
belt in 2003 and 24-year-old Arjun is a 4th degree black belt. Mala is
the regional director for Maple Star Group Homes and is a marriage
and family therapist. She holds a green belt in Taekwon-do.
Although, it might seem unlikely that Master Wheatley has any time
to spare for hobbies, he is a pilot, musician, and composer and
writes poetry.
In addition to his duties as president of the USITF, Master Wheatley
continues to teach classes in Reno and is training in preparation for
his 8th degree black belt.
Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do would like express its gratitude to Master
Jue for his contribution to this article.
Taekwon-Do, Master Robert N. Wheatley understands that his most
difficult challenges are ahead of him as the recently elected
President of the United States International Taekwon-Do Federation
(USITF). The USITF is affiliated with the International Taekwon-Do
Federation (ITF) which has schools in 115 countries.
"Growing a national organization dedicated to teaching the true
traditional form of Taekwon-Do as developed by General Choi Hong
Hi, is an exciting opportunity," said Master Wheatley. "I am humbled
by the support of many martial artists and schools across the
country and will dedicate my best efforts to make the USITF an
effective and strong organization.
"At the same time," Wheatley continued, "I am very aware of how
difficult it can be to persuade martial artists to adhere to the
standards of the USITF. Each martial artist has strong opinions
about techniques and teaching. The USITF will work to demonstrate
to Taekwon-Do practitioners the benefits of General Choi's
scientific methods."
Master Wheatley is a 8th degree black belt and is an official
International Instructor/Examiner of the ITF. He has been teaching in
America since 1983.
A native of Ireland, the 54-year-old Master began studying various
disciplines of martial arts while attending school in London from
1966-1970. Although he practiced and developed proficiency in
Kenpo, boxing and Jiu-jitsu, Master Wheatley did not take formal
exams in any of these arts.
Upon his return to Ireland in 1970, he was introduced to the
spectacular kicking and flying techniques of Taekwon-Do. Under
the instruction of Master Rhee Ki Ha, Master Wheatley and a handful
of students began practicing Taekwon-Do. By 1973, Master
Wheatley had begun teaching as an instructor for the Republic of
Ireland Taekwon-Do Association in Dublin and Arklow, County
Wicklow.
Master Wheatley's career in Ireland, England and America garnered
numerous awards including:
• First in patterns and second in power breaking at the 1975 Irish
National Championships, which were presided over by General
Choi and many other Korean masters, including Master Rhee.
• At the 1977 Irish/European Championships, Master Wheatley took
first place in power breaking, third place in patterns and he
captained the overall winning sparring team for Ireland. Competitors
from Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Wales and Canada
participated in the event.
• At Ireland's South Leinster Championships in 1980, Master
Wheatley was awarded first place in power breaking, second in
sparring and third in patterns.
Besides competing, Master Wheatley studied under General Choi
for nearly three decades at numerous seminars, private instruction
and courses, including General Choi's final Masters Course in
Vienna, Austria in 2002. (General Choi passed away June 15, 2002.)
As a result of this lifelong study of Taekwon-Do, Master Wheatley
formally tested and has been awarded numerous belts and titles:
• 1st degree black belt was awarded to Master Wheatley in 1976.
• In 1978, he tested successfully for 2nd degree black belt under
General Choi. Also in 1978, Master Wheatley passed his first
International Instructor's exam under General Choi.
• In 1979, Master Wheatley qualified as an International Umpire and
Referee under General Choi in Dublin.
• Still residing in Ireland, Master Wheatley successfully tested for
3rd degree black belt in 1981. An Irish newspaper praised Master
Wheatley as, "One of Irelands most physically active and respected
martial artists."
• In 1982, Master Wheatley passed the second International
Instructor's exam and was recognized as an official International
Instructor of the ITF. An additional Instructor course was completed
in 1991 and he began teaching Instructor courses in subsequent
years.
• After moving to the United States in 1983 and becoming an
American citizen, Master Wheatley successfully tested for his 4th
degree black belt under a panel of Korean and American examiners
headed by the President of the United States Taekwon-Do
Federation (USTF) Grand Master C. E. Sereff.
• In 1984, Master Wheatley was appointed California State Director
and Regional West Coast Director for the USTF.
• In 1986, the "Who's Who of Martial Arts" honored Master Wheatley
with a features listing in their annual publication.
• His 5th degree black belt was awarded in 1987 under General
Choi, Park Jung Tae and Grand Master Sereff.
• Appointed as ITF Ambassador to Mexico in 1987 by General Choi.
• In 1989, Master Wheatley was inducted as the first Irishman and
European into the Karate Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
• In 1992, Master Wheatley was elected as Vice President of the
USTF and was awarded his 6th degree black belt and overall high-
test score for the USA under a large panel of examiners headed by
Grand Master Sereff.
• In 1994, Master Wheatley entered his team in the U.S. Nationals
held in Las Vegas where they won many individual medals and took
home the overall team spirit award. At the world championships in
Malaysia, General Choi announced that Master Wheatley was to be
awarded the Outstanding Instructor Medal for the ITF.
• At the 10th World Championships held in Russia in 1997, Master
Wheatley was selected to be an official judge for the event.
• In 1998, Master Wheatley was promoted to 7th degree black belt
and Master Instructor.
• Because of his career-long focus on power breaking, Master
Wheatley was appointed as the official power development and
breaking instructor for the USA in 1999.
• Master Wheatley was elected President of the USITF in 2002.
Teaching the art of Taekwon-Do has been the life-long avocation for
Master Wheatley and he has founded numerous schools during his
career. In 1979, for example, he opened the renowned Greystones
School of Taekwon-Do in County Wicklow, Ireland. Greystones
became known throughout Europe for its high standard of
technique, superb fighters, national champions and large
membership.
After moving to America and becoming an American citizen in 1983,
Master Wheatley successfully ran schools in Santa Barbara and
Lompoc, Calif. He also opened another Taekwon-Do studio at
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This studio became the
Region One headquarters for the USTF. After moving to Reno, Nev.,
in 1995, he opened Reno's Wheatley Taekwon-Do Academy.
Because of his dedication to teaching Taekwon-Do, Master
Wheatley has been asked during his career to apply his talents to
instructional material developed by the ITF. In 1984, he assisted
General Choi and was featured in the production of the 15-volume
encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. In 1990, he also assisted General
Choi in the production of a series of instructional videotapes for the
USTF. In 1999, at the request of General Choi's son, Master Choi
Jung Hwa, Master Wheatley assisted in the production of the
Taekwon-Do Legacy CD rom videotapes. He was featured
performing Taekwon-Do techniques for power breaking and power
development.
Throughout his career, Master Wheatley has traveled frequently
throughout America and Europe to conduct seminars and courses
on Taekwon-Do. In 2000, he ventured farther afield when he
instructed a one-week Millenium World Camp for the International
Taekwon-Do Foundation New Zealand. His seminars on power
breaking are particularly popular.
Master Wheatley has a 23-year-old son, Paul, who is a 3rd degree
black belt in Taekwon-Do. Now married to Mala, a native of India,
Wheatley's stepchildren, Arjun and Shivani Dhingra are also
students of Taekwon-do. Shivani, 15, will be testing for her black
belt in 2003 and 24-year-old Arjun is a 4th degree black belt. Mala is
the regional director for Maple Star Group Homes and is a marriage
and family therapist. She holds a green belt in Taekwon-do.
Although, it might seem unlikely that Master Wheatley has any time
to spare for hobbies, he is a pilot, musician, and composer and
writes poetry.
In addition to his duties as president of the USITF, Master Wheatley
continues to teach classes in Reno and is training in preparation for
his 8th degree black belt.
Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do would like express its gratitude to Master
Jue for his contribution to this article.
| Master Robert Wheatley |
- Master Wheatley tested for - 4th Dan 1984 and took over the
directorship of California and the west coast for the USTF.
- 2002 Master Wheatley becomes President of the US-ITF under
President Choi Jung Hwa.
- Master Wheatley is known for his power breaking ability was
European Champion prior to moving to the United States.
- His school is located in Reno, Nevada.
- Married to Maula Wheatley and has 3 kids (Paul Wheatley, Arjun
Dhingra, Neil Dhingra and Shivani Dhingra).
- Master Wheatley had conducted many seminar around the world is
the Chairperson for the ITF Promotion and Disciplinary Board.
| Past Masters of the Month |
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