Leader of the Year
Senior Grandmaster Brenda J. Sell
Sr. Grandmaster Brenda J. Sell is aff ectionately
known aff ectionately as “Amazing Grace” because
of her quest for excellence as a technician and
her peaceful and caring demeanor. During her
48 years of exclusive training, teaching, and
mentoring others in the U.S. Chung Do Kwan
Association system, she holds the positions of
President and Kwan Jang in Lakeland, FL.
Grandmaster Sell is a legend in Tae Kwon Do
and achieved the lifetime goal of her martial
art career—receiving the highest Tae Kwon
Do rank of 9th degree black belt. Grandmaster
Sell is the fi rst female ever to receive the rank
of 9th dan from the World TaeKwonDo
Chung Do Kwan Federation, the United States
Chung Do Kwan Association (USCDKA) and
is the 1st female 9th dan Kukkiwon (other
than one Korean lady). As a Tae Kwon Do
pioneer, Grandmaster Sell had to overcome
many obstacles, but her accomplishments
have paved the way for women to pursue their
goals and dreams in Tae Kwon Do too.
“When I started Tae Kwon Do there were very
few women. We competed in tournaments with
the men because there weren’t enough of us to havea female division. Th ere were prejudices as well
as lack of acceptance during the early days. In the
80s Tae Kwon Do was on the path to become an
Olympic sport, requiring equality for females. I
worked with WTF to make the adjustments.
My late husband, the legendary Sr. Grandmaster
Edward B. Sell, founded the USCDKA in 1967.
We worked side by side for over 40 years, building
a strong American-led association that is Biblically
based, credentials, trains, recognizes and mentors
our members. Th e road has not always been
easy. I recently completed successful breast cancer
treatment. Th e fi ghting spirit that is developed
through the discipline of Tae Kwon Do is vital. I
fi rmly believe the things you develop during the
good times are what will pull you through the hard
times. Th e doctors said my faith in God and the
physical conditioning of my body from my Tae
Kwon Do training saved my life. Being a new
widow and battling breast cancer at the same
time was not easy. But one year after I completed
treatment, I tested for my fi nal world title—the
Kukkiwon 9th dan. Th e USCDKA is more than
just an association; we are a family. Our black
belts and masters have stepped up in leadership,
working together as a team to continue the legacy
and mission. We live in a time where people need
hope, encouragement and confi dence. My vision
is to establish schools in communities throughout
the USA and Canada to make a real diff erence.”
Th e U.S. Chung Do Kwan Association
celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017, making
it the oldest Tae Kwon Do association outside
of Korea. Grandmaster Uhm Uoon Kyu
and Grandmaster Hae Man Park have been
instrumental in the association’s longevity.
Sr.GM Sell’s servant leadership style is based on
quality and relationships. Her leadership style
coaxes people out of their comfort zone and to
service. Her quest is to continue to open the
doors of the USCDKA to like-minded school
owners and recreation instructors so she can
impact more lives. Her mentoring programs
aim to empower people to be more than they
ever dreamed they could be. http://www.uscdka.
com , http://www.GrandmasterBrendaSell.com22 January 2018 / taekwondotimes.com