Dai Won Moon, Known as the 'Father of Mexican Taekwondo,' Dies at 83

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[The Financial News] Dai Won Moon, the grand master who founded the Mexican Taekwondo Federation and served as chair of the technical committee and an executive member of World Taekwondo (WT), has died at the age of 83.
According to Yonhap News Agency on the 19th, Moon died on the 16th local time at his home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
He had long struggled with poor lung health. He had considered surgery in Korea, but the burden of the procedure was too great at his age, so he had been receiving medication instead.
Born in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, he moved to Mexico in 1968 and opened a dojang called Mudeokgwan the following year, becoming the first to introduce taekwondo there.
In 1976, he founded the Mexican Taekwondo Federation and became its first president.
He is said to have trained more than 300,000 students.
Today, there are more than 500 Mudeokgwan branches and about 3,500 dojangs operating across Mexico, and more than 1.5 million people are known to practice taekwondo there.
Taekwondo is regarded as the second most popular sport in Mexico after soccer.
Under his guidance, Mexico established itself as a taekwondo powerhouse, producing Olympic gold medalists.
The Mexican government recognized his contributions by awarding him a medal of merit and a commendation. He also served as chair of the technical committee and an executive member of World Taekwondo (WT).
In a memorial statement, the Mexican Taekwondo Federation said, "His legacy, dedication, and vision became the foundation for the growth and development of taekwondo in Mexico," adding, "We will always express our gratitude for his contributions and devotion to taekwondo."
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sms@fnnews.com Seong Min-seo Reporter