IUTF CHAIRPERSON

 Mr. Don Dalton is one of Ireland's best known martial artists and is the driving force behind one of the country´s largest organisations, the Irish United Taekwon Do Federation. A former Irish team captain and winner of numerous competitions Dalton has more recently become instrumental in coaching the IUTF national team to huge success in such far away fields as Iran, Germany, the Gambia, Canada and Holland. Under his leadership the IUTF has become an international force and is now the National Amalgamated Organisation (NAO) for the International Taekwon Do Federation (ITF) in Ireland.
Mr. Dalton is well known for his tough training methods along with his high expectations and standards for IUTF members. According to him
"Goal setting is a critical criteria for progress in IUTF training. For example, the international competitor has the goal of winning a medal in a major championship, the colour belt might want to improve their marks in the next test, etc, etc. This is the route to self improvement. I expect all IUTF instructors to continue to progress in their every day training and goal setting is an ideal method of maintaining such progress. When an instructor looses this desire to put on the dobok and train in class, they need to take a deep look at themselves and their understanding of Taekwon Do. Our training in Taekwon Do must be passionate and goal setting is an excellent way of retaining such passion."
Since the foundation of the IUTF Mr. Dalton has also emphasised the importance of team spirit and adherence to the tenets of Taekwon Do. Thus the IUTF strives to foster a united, family atmosphere where by the highest grades and top competitors are approachable and down to earth. Mr. Dalton says
"We have all seen the ego maniacs litered across the Taekwon Do dojangs throught the world and especially on the tournament mat. We despise such an attidude and thankfully we have succeeded in promoting the virtues of courtesy and integrity in the vast majority of our students. This is also thanks to the leadership of our international competitors who have remained normal decent people who have not forgot that we all were white belts at one point. When any black belt forgets this, then their training has been pointless. One can never be 100% successful in this endevour but overall I am very proud of our achievements in helping to mold people that can be of benefit to society in general. We have been extremely lucky that the instructors who have joined our federation are like minded individuals. For example Mr. Tom O Sullivan (who is on the Executive Committee), Mr. Denis Cronin, Ms. Kathleen Cronin, Mr. Noel O Brien, Mr. Patrick and Mr. Donal O Riordan are all sincere, courtous, principled and approachable people. They have enriched the IUTF and have inspired and invogorated our association."
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Major Achievements and Career History

1984-1986:Assistant instructor to Mr. Partick McCarthy at the Tralee Taekwon Do School.
Tournament wins at this time include, the Kerry Championships, the Cork 800,
AITA Limerick Championships, AITA National Championships, Cork Youth Championships. Promoted to Black Belt by Master Hee Il Cho. Joined Taekwon Do Federation of Ireland after the immigration of Mr. McCarthy to England. Co founded the TFI Taekwon Do Academy with Mr. Anthony Griffin.

1987-90: Promoted to 2nd and 3rd Dan by Master Norman Creedon. National black belt team member of the Taekwon Do Federation of Ireland. Tournament wins include The Cork Open, UCC boxing champion for three years running (light middle), UCC Open Martial Arts Championships, Kerry vs. Cork team Championships, won 9 of 10 amateur boxing bouts including national Colleges/Universities/Army title. Studies for primary degree in University College Cork (Geography and Economics). Founded the South West Taekwon Do Centre (Tralee). First students promoted to 1st Dan (including Mr. Riordan and Mr. Moriarty).

1991-95: First students open their own schools. Completes week long ITF International Instructors course under the founder of Taekwon Do, General Choi Hong Hi. Promoted to 4th Dan by master Norman Creedon. Founded the Irish United Taekwon Do Federation (initially with 6 clubs). Studies Masters Degree and Higher Diploma in education in UCC. Member of TFI national team. Captains joint IUTF-Taekwon Do Ireland team to silver in multi nation tournament in Wales. Wins UCC Open Martial Arts Championships, Best of the Best Grand Championship. Featured on Tanzania national television station after conducting a seminar in Zanzibar. Given special Award for outstanding instruction by the Institute of Technology, Tralee. Becomes Chairperson and Senior coach for the IUTF.

1996-2000: IUTF Senior Coach, leading the Irish team to Gold medel wins across Europe and also in Asia and Africa. Promoted to 5th Dan by panel headed by Master Max Geburt (8th Dan) and Master Morris Ala Rashi (7th Dan). Recieves highest score in grading (1998, Germany). Recieves special Award from Grand Master Soo Se Cho for "outstanding contrabution to the development of Taekwon Do and devoted service to the community and country." Tournament gold medels include the West African Open, the GTI British Championships, AIMAA Open World Championships. Cited by Kerry County Council for achievements as Irish Coach for the year 2000 and for the over all contrabution and leadership to the Taekwon Do community in Kerry. Performed demonstrations and seminars in The Gambia and Iran and appeared on television in those countries. Conducted seminars in Germany, Britain and Barbados. First students (Mr. John Riordan, Mr. Jason Moriarty) promoted to 4th Dan by Master Dave Oliver. Cover story of "Irish Fighter" magazine and also featured in numerous British publications.

2001-2003:Conducted training seminar in Morocco. IUTF Senior Coach leading Irish team members to wins in Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Britain. IUTF became the National Amalgamated Organisation for the International Taekwon Do Federation in Ireland. Trained under ITF President, Master Choi Jung Hwa and Grand Master Kong Yong Il in London. Coached Irish Junior Team in ITF Junior World Championships in Argentina. Promoted to 6th Dan by Master R.K. Choy, 8th Dan, (ITF Secretary General and BUTF Chairman). Conducted IUTF Instructor's Cources in Germany, Tunisia and Turkey. Conducted three sparring seminars in the UK, at the Ashford School of TKD, AMA Taekwon Do (Manchester) and the London Taekwon Do Panthers. The Irish United Taekwon Do Federation now stands at over 40 clubs.

2004-2006: Senior Coach for Irish team in the ITF World Championships. IUTF competitors win numerous individual and team medals. Conducts seminars in Nigeria, Germany (WKA) and the UK. Trains under Master Choi at the IICs in Belgium and the USA. Four students promoted to fourth Dan. Invited to a position on the International Advisory Board of TKD Power (UK).Worked on the Africa Project for the ITF and succeeded in bringing many countries into the ITF. Selected as coach for Team Europe in the ITF Intercontinental Cup events held in Argentina, Nigeria and Ireland. Co-organised with Mrs. Dalton the International Instructors Course celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the ITF under President Choi (with 220 participants). Completed four ITF International Umpire and Referee Courses. First students- Mr. Riordan/Mr. Fitzgibbon are promoted to 5th Dan.

2007: Receives special "ITF Award" from President Choi for "outstanding contribution for the expansion and promotion of the ITF."Assister President Choi in Masterclass in Bulgaria. Coaches Irish men´s team to team sparring gold and the Irish women´s team to team sparring gold in the ITF World Championships in England. Coaches WKA Ireland men´s team to world team gold in the WKA World Championships in Germany.

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