Master J. André Blake (1944-2001):

By the Canadian Taekwon-Do Federation International (CTFI):

In memory of Master J. André Blake

André Blake was born on February 26th, 1944 in Montreal. It is in 1959, at the age of 15 that young Blake was introduced to his first fighting art, boxing. During the ten years that followed, André Blake practiced wrestling and several martial arts such as Judo, Karate and Ju-jitsu. Through these disciplines he acquired a great knowledge of self-defence. It was in Ju-jitsu that he obtained his higher mention by Master Kuniba: 2nd degree. However, it is in the early 60's that Mr. Blake collaborated for the first time with the Korean people. Mr. Chong Soo Lee has been his first Korean instructor.

In 1967, André Blake was put in charge of the Karate section at the Immaculée-Conception Center.

It was in 1972, with the arrival of Master Kim Jong Chang in Montreal, under the ITF banner, that Mr. Blake would seriously get involved in the Korean martial art. His action and his faithfulness towards his master have driven him among the great Korean instructors of Canada. That year, the Karate section of the Immaculée-Conception Center became and, it remains to even today, the Taekwon-Do section.

In 1976, at the time of evening performances "Sporami" held at the ballroom of the Bonaventure Hotel, Mr. Blake received the award of trainer of the year from Immaculée-Conception Center. At the same occasion, he received from his instructor's hand, Master Kim, his black belt certificate, 4th degree, and the title of international instructor.

On February 23rd, 1978, Mr. Blake founded the Quebec Academy of Taekwon-Do.

In October 1979, Mr Blake organized the large-scale international tournament "Haiti-Quebec" in Montreal.

In April 1984, he brought his students on the international scene during the 4th ITF Taekwon-Do World Championship in Glasgow, Scotland, where they performed extremely well, winning several medals.

It is March 22nd, 1991 that Mr. Blake entered the circle of Master instructors by receiving his 7th degree black belt certificate from General Choi Hong Hi. He becomes the first Canadian origin to obtain this mention.

In September 1992, Master Blake was part of the Canadian Delegation who went to Pyong Hyang in North Korea, for the 8th Taekwon-Do World Championship. Master Blake received the mention of referee of the Championship.

In June 1993, Master Blake became president of the Canadian Taekwon-Do Federation International in Hamilton, Ontario.

In May 1999, Master Blake organized the ITF Canadian Taekwon-Do Championship at the Pierre-Charbonneau Center in Montreal where more than 1,200 athletes from all over Canada have participated. In September of the same year, Master Blake has been granted 8th degree from General Choi Hong Hi.

Master Blake has dedicated his life to Taekwon-Do. Further, he was among the first to oversee the development of Taekwon-Do in Canada. With his convictions and his Korean martial art visions, Master Blake became one of the pioneers who have contributed to promote Taekwon-Do in Canada.

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