Grandmaster Tony Morris Inducted into the World Taekwondo Hall of Fame

A Legacy of Excellence: Grandmaster Tony Morris Inducted into the World Taekwondo Hall of Fame

We are thrilled to share a monumental milestone for our martial arts family. Grandmaster Tony Morris, founder and resident Grandmaster Instructor of Asheville Sun Soo, has been inducted into the World Taekwondo Hall of Fame.

This prestigious global honor was officially announced by Grandmaster Mark Nathanson, 9th Degree Black Belt and Interim President of Taekwon Do International (TKDI).

For anyone who has stepped onto the mat at Sun Soo, this recognition comes as no surprise. It represents a lifetime, more than 50 years of personal practice and over 40 years of teaching, spent preserving the integrity of traditional martial arts while inspiring thousands of students to discover their highest potential.

A Lifetime of Dedication & Traditional Lineage

Grandmaster Morris’s journey began at just 10 years old. Over the decades, he spent nearly 40 years studying directly under three legendary 9th Degree Korean Grandmasters: Ju Hun Kim, Young Yu, and Chae Sun Yi.

In 2011, his path aligned with his current teacher, Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim, a direct student of General Choi (the “grandfather” of Traditional Tae Kwon Do). In March of 2024, Grandmaster Kim awarded Grandmaster Morris his 9th Dan, a rare rank reflecting profound expertise and an enduring global impact on the art.

To bring his students the most well-rounded martial arts education possible, Grandmaster Morris has also trained extensively in Hapkido, Boxing, Judo, and Jiujitsu. He is a national-level champion in forms, sparring, self-defense, and breaking, as well as a highly sought-after industry consultant.

More Than a Martial Arts Instructor

What makes Grandmaster Morris’s teaching style so unique is the incredible wealth of diverse life experience he brings to the mat. Beyond holding leadership roles in international organizations like the TKDI and the United Taekwon-Do Alliance (UTA). His background includes:

• Academic & Architectural Excellence: Holds a B.S. in Chemistry and a Master’s in Architecture, leading a successful 20-year career as an award-winning Design Principal.
• Mindset & Wellness: Certified Life and Business Coach, Level II Reiki practitioner, and expert in NLP and the Silva Method—all of which inform his holistic teaching philosophy.
• The Arts: A university instructor, published author, and highly acclaimed national portrait artist.

The Heart of Sun Soo

Despite his global accolades and national commitments, Grandmaster Morris’s true passion remains right here on our mats. He maintains an active, high-energy presence across our 40+ weekly classes, ensuring that every child, teen, and adult student receives detailed, inspiring, and life-changing instruction.

As Grandmaster Morris always says:

“Life is an amazing adventure – and we have never ‘arrived.’ Every day is a new beginning!”

Please join our entire staff and community in congratulating Grandmaster Tony Morris on this historic achievement. We are profoundly grateful for his leadership, his vision, and the incredible legacy he builds with us every single day.