Paragon Today

Five days left until Master Bass’ and Master Horn’s induction as Masters.

As they enter into 4 intense days of training, they committed to updating our ParagonToday.com blog so we can all share the experience. They will officially become Master Instructors at Opening Ceremonies of World Championships on Friday night.

Today is their third of nine days of fasting. Today is also a travel day as they head down to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Tomorrow is an early day. The entire group will be meeting at the H.U. Lee Gate and Garden for filming, training, workouts, practices and, well, more fasting. Don’t worry, I sent some bottles of water with them for lunch … and dinner … ‘oh,  and breakfast.

I know that they will be up late in their room studying tonight, as Chief Master M.K. Lee sent out a late notice of an exam for tomorrow. This will be an intense exam, and “no Master Horn, the Korean word for Cheeseburger will not be a test question.” Although, I bet a cheeseburger sounds good right now, eh?

Here are a few fun facts that make this an historic event. Their journey to mastership also marks a few firsts for Colorado — and the ATA.

• It’s the first time that two masters from the same school and instructor have achieved the title at the same time. (with the exception of spouses)
• It is the first time a Colorado “native” will earn the title
• Master Horn will be the ATA’s youngest master instructor
• They will be the first masters who trained under a Colorado instructor to achieve the title
• They will be Master Hauptman’s first and second masters
• They will be Chief Master Jager’s ninth and tenth masters
• They are the fourth and fifth masters in Colorado

I will update the blog every night this week with the latest news on their progress. Check back nightly. Master William Hauptman

• 2007 Taekwondo World Magazine