TaekwondoDad
Yellow Belt
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 15, 2013—The USA Taekwondo Transitional Board of Directors would like to recognize Grandmaster Walter “Al” Cole for a lifetime of service, dedication and contribution to the sport.
Instrumental in the Olympic adoption of taekwondo and the further development of the U.S. Taekwondo Union (USTU), Cole served as the Team Leader for the 2000 Olympic Qualification Event held in Porec, Croatia, prior to taekwondoÂ’s Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games. At the 2000 Olympics, he also served as the U.S. delegate. Cole graduated from the Kukkiwon Academy in 1998 and is the former President of the USTU Ohio State Taekwondo Association.
“Grandmaster Cole worked tirelessly to introduce the ancient art of Taekwondo into the modern Olympic Games,” said Anne Chase, Chair of the USAT Transitional Board of Directors. “His knowledge and insight is sought by players and non-players, white belts and Olympic medalists from Korea to Cleveland. USA Taekwondo is honored to recognize Grandmaster Cole and his lifetime of contributions to the art and sport of Taekwondo.”
Cole resides in Mentor, Ohio, with his wife, Cathy. His two sons, Allen and Joe, are both 5[SUP]th[/SUP] Dan and teach taekwondo at ColeÂ’s Taekwondo, following in their fatherÂ’s footsteps.
Instrumental in the Olympic adoption of taekwondo and the further development of the U.S. Taekwondo Union (USTU), Cole served as the Team Leader for the 2000 Olympic Qualification Event held in Porec, Croatia, prior to taekwondoÂ’s Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games. At the 2000 Olympics, he also served as the U.S. delegate. Cole graduated from the Kukkiwon Academy in 1998 and is the former President of the USTU Ohio State Taekwondo Association.
“Grandmaster Cole worked tirelessly to introduce the ancient art of Taekwondo into the modern Olympic Games,” said Anne Chase, Chair of the USAT Transitional Board of Directors. “His knowledge and insight is sought by players and non-players, white belts and Olympic medalists from Korea to Cleveland. USA Taekwondo is honored to recognize Grandmaster Cole and his lifetime of contributions to the art and sport of Taekwondo.”
Cole resides in Mentor, Ohio, with his wife, Cathy. His two sons, Allen and Joe, are both 5[SUP]th[/SUP] Dan and teach taekwondo at ColeÂ’s Taekwondo, following in their fatherÂ’s footsteps.