Master Kang Rhee, who was Elvis' Karate instructor from 1970-1974 has closed his Karate School at the Trinity Commons Shopping Center in Cordova which is a suburb of Memphis. Rhee who is 75 years old, will still maintain a small office in the Southwind area of East Memphis.
Elvis received his 8th Degree San Black Belt certificate from Master Rhee, at a private ceremony which took place on September 16, 1974.
This is not the building where Elvis learned and trained in Karate from Master Kang Rhee, as Rhee's original Karate School building which he still owns is located at 1913 Poplar Avenue in Midtown Memphis. Rhee's building on Poplar was formerly home to a rock and roll music venue, The Hi-Tone from 1998 to February 2013.
In recent years Master Kang Rhee was very popular with Elvis fan's who would often stop by his Karate School to personally meet him. When you met Master Kang Rhee he would show you a few items which pertained to Elvis, and you had the option of purchasing an autographed photo of Mr. Rhee with Elvis.
Elvis fan's can still purchase autographed photos from Elvis' Karate Instructor, Master Kang Rhee by visiting his website at the provided link: http://www.elviskarate.com/
Elvis loved Karate and after training with Master Kang Rhee Elvis helped establish The Tennesee Karate Institute of Memphis with National Karate Champion, Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace. The building which was demolished in the year 2011 was located at 1317 Overton Park Avenue in Memphis. At The Tennessee Karate Institute Elvis, Red West, Ed Parker, and others filmed a Karate documentary titled "The New Gladiators" which was lost and was not released to the public until August 2010. It has been reported that Elvis was very proud of the film project.
Information on Master Kang Rhee:
source: Master Kang Rhee and elviskarate.com
Elvis received his 8th Degree San Black Belt certificate from Master Rhee, at a private ceremony which took place on September 16, 1974.
This is not the building where Elvis learned and trained in Karate from Master Kang Rhee, as Rhee's original Karate School building which he still owns is located at 1913 Poplar Avenue in Midtown Memphis. Rhee's building on Poplar was formerly home to a rock and roll music venue, The Hi-Tone from 1998 to February 2013.
In recent years Master Kang Rhee was very popular with Elvis fan's who would often stop by his Karate School to personally meet him. When you met Master Kang Rhee he would show you a few items which pertained to Elvis, and you had the option of purchasing an autographed photo of Mr. Rhee with Elvis.
Elvis fan's can still purchase autographed photos from Elvis' Karate Instructor, Master Kang Rhee by visiting his website at the provided link: http://www.elviskarate.com/
Elvis loved Karate and after training with Master Kang Rhee Elvis helped establish The Tennesee Karate Institute of Memphis with National Karate Champion, Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace. The building which was demolished in the year 2011 was located at 1317 Overton Park Avenue in Memphis. At The Tennessee Karate Institute Elvis, Red West, Ed Parker, and others filmed a Karate documentary titled "The New Gladiators" which was lost and was not released to the public until August 2010. It has been reported that Elvis was very proud of the film project.
Information on Master Kang Rhee:
- Instructor of Elvis Presley and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.
- Founder of World Black Belt Bureau.
- Graduated (B.A. Business) from Yonsel Univ. Seoul, Korea.
- Established and served as Captain of Yonsel Univ. Martial Arts Team.
- Head instructor Korean Military Intelligence Groups Officers.
- Trained in Kong Soo Do, Chang Mu Kwan, Kwon Bup, Kang Duk Won and Han Kuk Hap Ki Do, 1953-1964.
- Established PaSaRyu Mu Do Assn. in Memphis, TN 1966.
- Seventh Dan Kuk Ki Won (HQ TaeKwonDo in Seoul Korea) 1975.
- Producer of Annual Charity Karate Championship Fund Raiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 1970-1993.
- State of Tennessee - Governor's Award 1998.
- City of Memphis Mayor - Certificates of Appreciation for Various Community Services 1982, 1989, and 1999.
- Member of President's Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification of Republic of Korea since 1991.
- Special Congressional Recognition from US Congressman Ed Bryant 2000.
- Tennessee Ambassador of Goodwill 2001.
source: Master Kang Rhee and elviskarate.com
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