Grand Master Kim Hyuong Joo, fondly known as Master Kim and revered as the “Father of Mindanao Taekwondo,” was laid to rest on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Davao Memorial Park, leaving behind a rich legacy in the sport he devoted his life to. Among those who paid their respects at Angel Funeral Homes were Stephen Fernandez, the country’s lone Olympic taekwondo medalist, and fellow Olympian Monsour del Rosario. Both were among the first Filipino Olympians trained by Master Kim and other Korean masters during the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. Del Rosario recalled how Master Kim arrived in Mindanao in 1986 to teach and spread taekwondo, dedicating nearly four decades to training Mindanaoans. “Without him, there will be no taekwondo in Mindanao,” he wrote. “He was one of the best trainers I had in the national team in the 1980s when taekwondo was still new in Mindanao. Your legacy will forever be cherished.” Davao City’s Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office also paid Master Kim a tribute, acknowledging his unwavering dedication, discipline, and passion for taekwondo, which have created a lasting legacy that inspires countless athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts. The city sports office thanked him for his impact on growing taekwondo in the region and extended its condolences to his family, urging the community to honor his memory by living out the values of sportsmanship and discipline that he embodied.
