Master Joel Waldron Earns 7th-Degree Black Belt

Master Joel Waldron of Manchester Earns Seventh-Degree Black Belt

The Leadership Team of the Academy of Martial Arts and Personal Development, Manchester, CT, is proud to announce that Master Joel Waldron has been promoted to Seventh-Degree Black Belt (7th Dan) in the martial art of Dae Han Moo Do, earning the title of Grandmaster. On March 26, 2014, Grandmaster Hosoo Hwang, of Hamden, CT, recognized the significant ongoing contributions and dedication of Grandmaster Waldron to the legacy of Dae Han Moo Do, to the martial arts in general, and to the greater community. In addition, Grandmaster Waldron was also promoted to 7th Dan in Taekwondo and 5th Dan in Hapkido.

Grandmaster Waldron's 36-year journey in the martial arts began when he started training under Grandmaster Moo Yong Lee, of East Hartford, CT, at age 18, earning his First-Degree Black Belt in 1983. In 1985, Grandmaster Waldron began training in Hapkido under Grandmaster Hwang. In 1997, he also had the honor of being promoted by Grandmaster Lee to a Master, 5th Dan in Taekwondo under the World Taekwondo Federation.

In September 1995, he opened the Academy of Martial Arts and Personal Development. In the vision of Grandmaster Hwang, Dae Han Moo Do (“Great Martial Arts of Korea”) was created in 2000 to bring together the arts of Taekwondo, Hapkido, Yudo, and Tang Soo Do. With this promotion to 7th Dan, Grandmaster Waldron now holds the second highest rank in Dae Han Moo Do, after Grandmaster Hwang.

Over the course of the 19 years the Academy has been open, 6,000 students from age 2 to 80 have come through its doors. Grandmaster Waldron has promoted more than 100 students to black belt, including three to the level of Master. As his students, we are incredibly proud to have Grandmaster Waldron recognized for the ways that he has mentored us, the quality of his instruction, and the deep community that he's built. Congratulations Grandmaster Joel Waldron!