Grandmaster Ally CH Teoh (1938-2018)
Grandmaster Ally CH Teoh; IX Dan, BA; Honorary
President
Taekwondo
was spread to Malaysia
before its Founder declared it to be the national martial art of Korea in
1965. General Choi Hong Hi, took
Taekwondo beyond its national boundary in 1959 when he and 19 of his top black
belt holders toured the Far East. Some of these 19 eventually spread the
martial art of Taekwondo to the world, including the Honorary Chairman of ITC,
PGM Young-Il Kong.
In 1962,
General Choi was appointed as Ambassador to Malaysia,
as a dedicated missionary of Taekwon-Do, the art was spread in Malaysia.
In 1963, the Taekwon-Do
Association of Malaysia was formed and the art reached national acceptance when
it was demonstrated at the Merdeka Stadium (national stadium) at the request of
the 1st Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. It was sometime in 1962 and 1963 that
Grandmaster Ally CH Teoh came in contact with this art of Taekwondo, a legend
was then born in the history of Taekwondo in Malaysia. Grandmaster Ally Teoh stands as one of the
most senior non-Korean pioneers in the history of Taekwondo.
Grandmaster Ally Teoh in
1962 when he started his Taekwondo career
Training started in Kuala Lumpur and
gradually spread to other states. In
those years, the technical direction and for the most part, the administrative
procedures as well, were in the hands of the various Korean Instructors.
Communication between students and instructors was less than satisfactory and
the advancement to senior ranking among the Malaysians was slow if not
reluctant. It took more than just
passion for a Malaysian student to hang on to training in those unfavorable
time.
Grandmaster Ally Teoh survived the
hardship with Indomitable Spirit and Perseverance in addition to his passion
and love for the art as a state leader in the beginning and grew into a national
figure in the 70’s and 80’s.
BA in Psychology (Honours) convocation, aged 76
Grandmaster Ally Teoh & Mrs Teoh
Grandmaster Ally Teoh’s
name as a martial art icon did not stay within Taekwondo only. At his peak, he was also either involved in
the official team and/or as a coach/instructor and/or as supporter of various
sport and martial art bodies in Malaysia such as the Malaysia Weightlifting
& Bodybuilding Associations, Weightlifting coach to the Kommandos (Special
Combat Unit in the Malaysia Armed Forces), Malay Silat (indigenous martial art
in Malaysia) Group, Malaysia Martial Art Forum, Federation International of
Grandmaster Association, Shotokan Karate, etc. to name a few.
His recognition by the Malaysia martial art
groups was proven by the many congratulatory words from various martial arts
people when he successfully finished his baccalaureate credential and was
conferred a BA in Psychology (Honours) degree from Open University Malaysia at
the age of 76. Today, Grandmaster Ally
Teoh stands as the oldest graduate in this educational discipline. His name is dignified not just in martial
art, but academic achievement as well.
Many
Taekwondo practitioners in Malaysia had received help from Grandmaster Ally
Teoh either as direct students or were mentored by him in their Taekwondo
career to be who they are today in the Taekwondo scene. Grandmaster Ally Teoh had either promoted or
motioned to promote many Grandmasters in Malaysia
and beyond, his influence is present is countries like Canada, China,
Nepal, India, Singapore,
Indonesia, and Australia. One of the most notable prodigies is the
Founder & President of ITC, Dr Grandmaster G Ong, who is a student of
Grandmaster Ally Teoh in his early days of Ally’s Dojang (formerly known as
Jasmani Dojang) in Melaka, Malaysia.
We are indebted to Grandmaster Ally Teoh in many
ways, our mere presence owns to his contribution and mentorship in the life of
the Founder & President of ITC who is the
authorized user of his name, signature, and signatory stamp to continue
the legacy of Grandmaster Ally CH Teoh in the propagation and development of
the Taekwondo Martial Art in any deemed fit & proper occasion, event, or
organization.
