FALKIRK’S Taekwondo Master David Bailey has been promoted to eighth Dan after a grading at the renowned home of taekwondo in Korea.
He is the first Scottish-based athlete ever to achieve eighth Dan status at the Kukkiwon and now becomes Grand Master Bailey.
David (54), who founded Central Taekwondo Academy in Carronshore in 1993, said: “Being promoted to eighth Dan at the legendary Kukkiwon by three World Taekwondo Federation Grand Masters is a massive honour. I’m proud that thirty-six years of dedication to my sport have led to this amazing career highlight.
“For me, taekwondo is more than a sport. It’s a way of life, with integrity, perseverance, courtesy, health and happiness at its heart,” David said.
“I must also pay tribute to my teacher Grand Master Tong Wan Shin who has continually inspired me since I became his student in 1980. Along with my wife Angie he was with me in Korea for my grading and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his guidance.”
Angie said: “He was so focused on the day of the test. He optimises all that he teaches.”
Falkirk Provost Pat Reid said: "Grand Master Bailey is truly a Falkirk phenomenon. He has introduced hundreds of local people - especially children - to the exciting sport he so clearly loves, with obvious benefits to them in terms of behaviour, respect and discipline. In addition, David has brought huge credit to Falkirk District through his own outstanding achievements and those of his students over the years. I warmly congratulate him on this latest exceptional accolade."
David, originally from Liverpool but now living in Larbert, was one of four taekwondo Masters who graded at the Kukkiwon, the others coming from Ghana, Ukraine and England.
To pass his grading, David had to show excellence in a number of advanced taekwondo techniques as well as writing a lengthy thesis on a chosen topic – in David’s case the importance of teaching taekwondo effectively.
He recalled how he first became interested in the Korean martial art.
“When I was sixteen, like many other teenagers I was hooked on the films of Bruce Lee and I tried a number of martial arts until I found taekwondo.
“I remember at that time being in the London Underground and seeing a poster showing an eighth Dan in karate and thinking it would be impossible to ever get to that level...and forty years on, incredibly, here I am!”
David, known for always being modest and unassuming, has some two hundred and forty students at his Central Academy and they organised a surprise welcome for him when he returned from Korea.
“For the first time ever I was speechless! It was totally unexpected but a lovely moment. I hope it showed all our students, especially the kids, that you can achieve great things if you aim high.”
Central Academy black belt Sam McKinlay summed up the feelings of everyone at the club. “Congratulations Grand Master Bailey. Your award is well deserved and I feel privileged to be one of your students.”
Looking to the future, David said: “When I passed my grading, I felt emotional and on top of the world...but humble because in taekwondo there is always more to learn and higher mountains to climb.
“For example, I can apply for my ninth Dan in 2025 when I’m 63 and I’ve already started preparing for that event!”
Pictures, to follow, show David with Grand Master Shin (extreme left) and the Kukkiwon grading panel; and with Kukkiwon President Mr Oh Hyun Deuk.