ELITE Taekwondo Center (ETC) are a World Taekwondo (WT) and KUKKIWON-affiliated Taekwondo studio located in the heart of  Silicon Valley and on the doorsteps from the world-renowned Stanford University. Taekwondo is the traditional Korean art of self-defense, influenced by centuries of rich Korean culture and history. Grand Master Kwangil Bae has devoted his life to the development and promotion of the philosophy, traditions, and techniques of Taekwondo. Grand Master Bae prides himself in the active practice, study and teaching of both the deep Korean traditions of Taekwondo, as well as the latest, most advanced techniques of world-class competition Taekwondo. He is currently a WTF-certified International Poomsae and Sparring Referee, serving as the Referee Chairman of numerous local, state competitions as well as Referee for national and international competitions. At ETC, we strive to enable all of our students and competitors to achieve a harmonious balance between the physical, mental and technical aspects of Taekwondo. It is our firm belief that a well-balanced combination of these factors is the key to a successful Taekwondo martial artist and a well-rounded individual. Our goal at PAMA & ETC are to not only create excellent martial artists but to also develop excellent people.

WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION AND QUALIFICATION

Kukkiwon 9th Dan Degree Black Belt (#06038380)
Moo Duk Kwan 9th Dan Degree Black Belt
World Hapkido 8th Dan Degree Black Belt (#82-9535)
Current Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Poomsae Head Coach
Current Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Senior Advisor

  • Current USAT Poomsae Instructor
  • Current USAT Sparring Instructor
  • International Poomsae Referee (#011-0047)
  • International Sparring Referee (#060-0014)
  • International Poomsae Coach (#WTF-0067)
  • Certified 1st Class International Instructor (#2614007)
  • Certified 3rd Class World Taekwondo Academy Self-defense
  • Certified Taekwondo Instructor (#076080)
  • Certified World Habkido Instructor (#M82-1284)
  • Certified 1st Class ExaminerCertified
  • PATU Intercontinental Coach License
  • Certified PATU Intercontinental New Poomsae
  • Certified PATU Intercontinental Poomsae Referee
  • Certified PATU Intercontinental Sparring Referee

Master Instructor
Kukkiwon 5th Dan
Kukkiwon 5th Dan Degree Black Belt
Habkido 2nd Dan Degree Black Belt
Certified 3rd Class International Instructor Presented by KUKKIWON
Certified USAT National Poomsae Referee
Certified USAT National Sparring Referee
Certified USAT National Coach Level 1
2018 USAT Taekwondo Championship Best Male Referee
2016 Silicon Valley Open Championship Best Female Referee
Letter of Commendation from Kukkiwon
Letter of Commendation from World Taekwondo Federation
Recipient of United States Presidential Sports Award (Year 2016)

WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION AND QUALIFICATION

  • Kukkiwon 8th Dan Degree Black Belt (#06038380)
  • Moo Duk Kwan 9th Dan Degree Black Belt
  • World Hapkido 8th Dan Degree Black Belt (#82-9535)
  • Current Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Poomsae Head Coach
  • Current Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Senior Advisor
  • Current USAT Poomsae Instructor
  • Current USAT Sparring Instructor
  • International Poomsae Referee (#011-0047)
  • International Sparring Referee (#060-0014)
  • International Poomsae Coach (#WTF-0067)
  • Certified 1st Class International Instructor (#2614007)
  • Certified 3rd Class World Taekwondo Academy Self-defense
  • Certified Taekwondo Instructor (#076080)
  • Certified World Habkido Instructor (#M82-1284)
  • Certified 1st Class ExaminerCertified
  • PATU Intercontinental Coach License
  • Certified PATU Intercontinental New Poomsae
  • Certified PATU Intercontinental Poomsae Referee
  • Certified PATU Intercontinental Sparring Referee

LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION

  • Platoon Leader 1st Lieutenant) in the Republic of Korea Army Special Forces (701 Special Assault Commando)
  • Taekwondo Instructor in the  Republic of Korea Army Special Forces (701 Special Assault Commando)
  • R.O.T.C.Taekwondo Instructor at Dan Kook University
  • B.A. Degree (Specialized in Taekwondo) / B.S. Degree (Management Information System)

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Recipient of Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Recipient of Commonwealth of Kentucky from Governor’s Andy Beshear
  • Certificate of Honor from San Francisco Major
  • Certificate of Recognition from State of California
  • Certificate of Recognition from San Jose City Major
  • Letter of Commendation from Kukkiwon
  • Letter of Commendation from World Taekwondo
  • Letter of Commendation from the City of Milpitas
  • Recipient of the USA Taekwondo (USAT) Commission Award
  • Recipient of United States Presidential Sports Award (2011)
  • Recipient of United Stated Presidential Champion Award (2016)
  • Tiger Claw Open Taekwondo Championship Tournament Director
  • California State Referee Chairman (2013-2014)
  • Best Instructor Award at the World Taekwondo President’s Cup
  • Certificate of Recognition from the California Legislature Assembly
  • Certificate of Recognition from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
  • Over 40 Years of Continuous Taekwondo Training
  • Over 30 Years of Teaching Experience in Taekwondo

Grand Master Kwangil Bae was born in Kwangju, South Korea. He began studying Tae Kwon Do at the age of seven. By the age of ten, he earned his 1st Dan Black Belt. He graduated from Dan Kook University in Korea with a B.A. degree in Physical Education, with an emphasis on Tae Kwon Do. While attending Dan Kook University, he was a member of the Dan Kook University Tae Kwon Do Team while participating as a ROTC Tae Kwon Do training instructor.