http://www.grandmasteredwardsell.com/
I met this guy a few years back- wasn't too impressed- is this legit?
Yes, Grandmaster Sell is very legit, and much more than that, if you take time to get to know him.
If the OP is still around, I might ask why were you not "impressed" upon meeting GM Sell? First impressions are often misleading!
I first met GM Edward Sell in 1978. I was an instructor in the ATA, which was strongly active in my state of Michigan at that time. GM Haeng Ung Lee had just taken over the ATA as President, and appointed to Vice-President, Master Robert Allemier (a 4th Dan then, now 8th Dan). He was the highest ranking American in the ATA at that time, who ran two schools in Lansing, Michigan.
Ed Sell was a 6th Dan then, and was the first non-Asian to reach 4th Dan and receive the title of "Master" from his Chung Do Kwan teacher, GM Hae Man Park. I attended one of then "Master" Sell's tournaments where I first met Bill Wallace too. Edward Sell was not affiliated with the ATA as my instructor and I were, but we all called him "Master Sell" out of respect for his authentic background, years of teaching, and skills in the art (besides, he out-ranked all of us!). I recall that one of my instructor's students, who was a 3rd Dan and ran his own school, refused to call Edward Sell "Master Sell," because he was not in the ATA and was not in our lineage (I always thought that was rather petty.)
I admit that in those early days, "Master Sell" was a bit abrasive sometimes, and I didn't care for some of what appeared to me to be an inflated ego. Years later, I read an article in TKD times, where GM Sell talked about his past, and admitted that he acted like a jerk sometimes in his earlier days, but he described the transformation that occurred in his life as he became a born-again Christian.
After having taken a different road for a number of years, I rejoined with my original instructor in 2000, who happened to have crossed paths with GM Sell, and joined up with the USCDKA several years earlier (now he is 8th Dan). So, I joined as well, and have talked with GM Sell, and trained at seminars with him, his wife, GM Brenda Sell (Kukkiwon 8th Dan) and GM Sell's teacher, GM Hae Man Park. I have been very pleased with the organization, and impressed with the way GM Sell runs it. There is always room for improvement, and GM Sell is constantly seeking the input of his organization's Black Belts and instructors, but he is one heck of a charismatic, passionate, and very highly legitimate leader, and Taekwondo Grandmaster - in my opinion.
It is difficult to judge a person unless you have walked a mile in his shoes, and I find many people judge others without even really knowing them (some judge me without ever having met me - - what a shame!) GM Sell has done the work - blood, sweat, and tears - over the past 40 years, and I don't know of many in Taekwondo who could have walked in his shoes and been successful. He admits that he "toots his own horn" and that can rub some people the wrong way, but I wasn't there at the Chung Do Kwan Dojang in Korea in 1960s so I am grateful, and humbled to hear him tell of his exploits.
Just as a side-note, GM Sell first tested for, and attained the 9th Dan in 1997 from his legitimate Kwan lineage - the Chung Do Kwan. Therefore, he already was a "9th Dan" when he tested in September of 2001 at the Kukkiwon for official recognition of the rank by Kukkiwon standards. The link provided by the OP appears to be an old one. There is more information about Sr. GM Ed Sell, and his wife, GM Brenda Sell at the official website here:
http://www.uscdka.com/TheFounders.aspx
I always thought that students call the GM a GM
the Gm does not- But what do I know?
A "Grandmaster" is a title which describes a position of authority, responsibility, and expertise when applied correctly to someone who deserves it. A doctor might introduce himself as "Dr. Jones," for example, because that's what he is - a doctor. Grandmaster is another name for the Korean "Kwanjangnim." The Kwanjang is the leader of a Kwan - the one who guides the Masters, Instructors, and students within the Kwan. GM Sell is most certainly a legitimate Kwanjangnim.
I think that the article written on this page best describes the journey that GM Edward Sell has undergone, and how he feels about being a "servant" as a Grandmaster.
http://www.uscdka.com/articles/WhatIsKwanJang.aspx
Respectfully,
Chief Master D.J. Eisenhart
6th Dan USCDKA
