Taekwon-Do is in mourning, we say goodbye to GM Pablo Trajtenberg

GM Pablo Trajtenberg passed away and with his physical disappearance we lost one of the most active promoters of ITF Taekwon-Do. However, his legacy will remain engraved forever as part of the history of our art.

He dedicated his whole life to Taekwon-Do

He began practicing in 1968 under the guidance of Master Nam, Sung Choi, one of the pioneers of Taekwon-Do in Argentina. He reached the 1st Degree in 1971 and two years later, he had already started to work for the consolidation of Taekwon-Do in his country, for which he received the support of General Choi, Hong Hi. In 1977, he discontinued his university studies to fully engage himself in his vocation, teaching our martial art. In 1980, he became co-founder of the Centro Argentino de Taekwon-Do, one of the largest schools in the country. In 1981 he was an active collaborator in the organization of the World Championship held in Argentina and strengthened his relationship with General Choi, Hong Hi and other Masters during his trips to Canada. In 1986, as a national delegate, he obtained support for the foundation of the Federación de Taekwon-Do de la República Argentina as a way to develop the art and, at the same time, to gain autonomy from the Korean hegemony in the region. In 1994, during the World Championship held in Malaysia, he received one of the most important awards conferred by General Choi to his western disciples: the Loyalty Award, an award that he treasured and stood out as one of the most relevant that he had received.

Subsequently to the passing of General Choi, he held the position of Senior Vice President during the management of GM Trân Triêu Quân until GM Trân’s sudden death in 2010. By ITF statutes, GM Trajtenberg assumed the interim presidency of the ITF. A year later, in 2011, he was elected President of the ITF at the Congress held in New Zealand and became appointed for a second term, in 2015, during the Congress in Jesolo, Italy.

He was a hard worker for the dissemination and development of Taekwon-Do in numerous South American countries. He served as a member of the Technical and Instruction Committee and visited all continents to teach and standardize ITF Taekwon-Do techniques. He was co-author of the work The Art of Taekwon-Do and took a lead in giving a new impetus to the teaching of the “Do”. He promoted the development of the Kids Program and actively participated in the creation of the Harmony Program, among many other actions.

Despite his dedication to work, one aspect to highlight is the love he always manifested to his sisters Sonia and Vivian, and especially to Liliana, his inseparable wife, and their children Alejandro, Luciano and Kevin.

“Nothing more I can ask to life”, he expressed on one occasion.

The ITF Board of Directors wish to express their deepest sorrow for his loss and wish that his family and loved ones find comfort and strength to move forward in these times of great sadness.

R.I.P. GM Pablo Trajtenberg.

Taekwon!