Master Steve Large

Master Steve Large started Taekwondo in January 1978 with Grand Master Kim as his instructor in Courtenay and after 47 years remains the most senior active student in the Woo Kim Association. Master Steve trained for six years in Courtenay under Grand Master Kim until Kim relocated from the Comox Valley to live in the lower mainland.

Master Steve moved to Nanaimo in 1986 but did not become active in TKD again until he started the school up in May of 1988. With only six members from an original International TKD school, Master Steve established the Woo Kim Nanaimo Taekwondo School. Over the years Master Steve has graduated many students to their Black Belt rank and beyond. Some of the students that have been taught by Master Steve in the past have progressed on to become Master Instructors as well. Today after 37 years, Nanaimo Taekwondo is still going strong thanks to the dedication of the Student Executive and Master Steve working in cooperation to make it one of the best schools around.

Personal Information and Dan Certification

Master Stephen William Large - 69 Years old (2025)

Started Taekwondo with Grand Master Gil Woo Kim in January 1978.

First Dan Certificate: (Chang Moo Kwan), Oct 06, 1982

First Dan Certificate: (Kukkiwon), Oct 12, 1982

Second Dan Certificate: (Kukkiwon),  Dec 23, 1985

Third Dan Certificate: (Kukkiwon), Jul 20, 1990

Fourth Dan Certificate: (Kukkiwon), April 05, 1998

Fifth Dan Certificate: (Kukkiwon), April 20, 2002

Sixth Dan Certificate: (Kukkiwon), April 20, 2007

Seventh Dan Certificate (Kukkiwon), April 20, 2014

Teaching History

Became assistant instructor with Peter Speers September 1983 and helped teach for five hours a day three days a week at the Woo Kim Courtenay Taekwondo School.

Competed on a local level in tournaments in the Comox Valley and Vancouver over a period of several years.

In 1988 assumed instruction of the remaining members of Kwon’s International Taekwondo School in Nanaimo.

Converted Kwon’s Nanaimo Taekwondo over to a non-profit club in 1988 and converted their style over from International to World Taekwondo under supervision of Grand Master Gil Woo Kim. With the remaining 6 members of the old school progressed and promoted Taekwondo to over 100 members.

After spending a combination of roughly 7 years in a two story school house and later in a local sports complex, Master Steve helped to established an independent school where money could be raised for equipment and our dojang could be designed to suit the needs of the members. This school has existed in its present location for over 30 years. The combined age of the school from all locations will be 37 years as of May 2025.

Accomplishments

Established Woo Kim Nanaimo Taekwondo School as the longest running Taekwondo School on Southern Vancouver Island (37 Years),

Promoted and spread Taekwondo through many demonstrations in both local malls and public venues over the 37 year span of the school.

The promotion of over 150 students to black belt and beyond.

Instrumental in the instruction and/or promotion of the following students that have attained Master level:

Master Brett Fee (Cascadia Parksville Taekwondo)

Master Dustin Fee (Cascadia Parksville Taekwondo)

Master Murray Fee (Cascadia Parksville Taekwondo)

Master Dan Thornton (Vortex Taekwondo Surrey)

Master Harry Sese (Belleview Washington)

Master Mike Bossa (British Columbia Interior)

Master Ruth Rowe (Adelaide Australia)

Master Revelina Lukashuk (Woo Kim Errington Taekwondo)

Master Mike Lowe (Woo Kim Nanaimo Taekwondo)

Master Adam Hall (Woo Kim Nanaimo Taekwondo)

Original instructor through color belt levels to black belt for former Canadian National Champions – Ruth Rowe, Harry Sese, and Jeffrey Cromack

Presented with Kukkiwon Commendation No. 09887 for contribution to the promotion of Taekwondo culture.