Grand Master Lou Grasso holds a 9th Degree Black Belt in the art of TaeKwon-Do and is President, Founder and Grand Master instructor of Lou Grasso’s Universal TaeKwon-Do Federation. He received his 9th Degree Black Belt from the world famous Grand Master Hae Yong Kim, President and Founder of the Hae Yong Martial Art Association and is the first and only non-Korean to receive a 9th Degree through this world-wide organization. Grand Master Grasso is also the only 9th Degree Black Belt in the state of Nevada in the Hae Yong Martial Art Association. Grand Master Grasso was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame three times, once as TaeKwon-Do Grand Master of the year, in April 2006. He also received his Ph.D. in Martial Arts Science and Philosophy in 2008 so his official title would be Dr. Lou Grasso, Ph.D./D.Sc./Ma.Sc..
Grand Master Grasso began studying martial arts at the age of 12 and studied various styles of martial arts including Judo, Masuatsu Oyama Kyokushinkai style of karate, White Crane Kung-Fu, Aikido, Hap-Ki-Do, Tang-soo-do, Chong Do Kwan, Oh Do Kwan, and Ji Do Kwan (a specialty style which involves many self-defense techniques) in Korea, along with TaeKwon-Do and is a weapons expert. He studied the World TaeKwon-Do Federation style as well as the International TaeKwon-Do Federation system for which he became an internationally certified instructor and judge.
Grand Master Grasso also had the distinct honor of being a personal student of the founder of modern TaeKwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi. Grand Master Grasso is also featured in General Choi Hong Hi’s 15 volume TaeKwon-Do encyclopedia and was his personal aide during his sojourn to Santa Barbara, California. Grand Master Grasso has also been featured in several leading martial arts magazines including Black Belt Magazine, Karate Illustrated, etc.
Grand Master Grasso encourages all students to achieve their highest potential. Like the Ancient Master, his teaching is simple but complete. He teaches that Taekwon-Do is a discipline of the mind, the body and the spirit. His greatest love is teaching-one-on-one or in groups.
Grand Master Grasso opened the first TaeKwon-Do studio in Reno, Nevada in 1968 and has had branch studios abroad and currently has five branch/affiliate studios in Nevada.
