Roy Kurban began his martial arts training in 1965 under Texas Karate greats Allen Steen, Larry Caster and Skipper Mullins; earning his black belt in 1968. He also spent a full year in Korea training with Grand Master Won Chik Park. He currently holds a Ninth Degree Black Belt from the United States Taekwondo Grandmaster’s Society, and is one of the very few Americans to receive a Master Instructor Certificate from the Kukkiwon.

 

 

1965
Began Taekwondo training under Allen Steen, Larry Caster, Skipper Mullins, Jerry Wiseman, Phillip Ola, and Dennis Dorris.  Also trained in Isshinryu Karate with Ed Johnson.

1968
Awarded 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo – Dallas, Texas.

 

 

1970-71
Trained under Grandmaster Won Chik Park while stationed with the U.S.  8th Army, Seoul, Korea.

1970
Awarded 2nd Degree Black Belt at the Ji Do Kwan Headquarters in Seoul, Korea.

1972
Awarded 3rd Degree Black Belt in Dallas, Texas by Allen Steen.

 

1973
“Best All-Around Karate Man in the U.S.” as quoted by Mike Stone in Professional Karate Magazine.

1975
Awarded 4th Degree Black Belt through Korea Moo Duk Kwan Association with the test conducted by Master Hee Deok Park in Odessa, Texas.

1980
Awarded 5th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructors Certificate under the aegis of the Kukkiwon with the exam conducted by Grandmaster Won Chik Park, Fort Worth Texas.

1986
Awarded 6th Degree Black Belt under the Kukkiwon and Ji Do Kwan Association, conducted by Grandmaster Won Chik Park. Concurrently awarded 6th Degree Black Belt certification in Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo by Master Larry Caster in Arlington, Texas.

1994
Awarded 7th Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Won Chik Park through the Ji Do Kwan and Kukkison.

2005
Awarded 8th Degree Black Belt and title of “Grandmaster” by Grandmaster Won Chik Park, President of the United States Taekwondo Grandmaster’s Society.

2014

Awarded Ninth Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Won Chik Park after testing under the aegis of the United States Taekwondo Grandmaster’s Society.