Master Crays

James Crays

Master Instructor and 8th Degree Black Belt

Certified by:

• Kukkiwon
• World Taekwondo Federation
• World Hapkido Federation
• World Kido Federation
• USA Taekwondo
• The U.S. Taekwondo Union
• U.S. National TKD Federation
• National AAU TKD Union
• AAU Taekwondo

The Chief Instructor of Indiana Taekwondo Academy, Master James Crays, trained under Grandmaster Chul Koo Yoon from Seoul, Korea. Master Crays received his Black Belt from Grandmaster Yoon in 1978 and continued training and teaching under Grandmaster Yoon. Master Crays has also trained with such renowned Masters as Mu Gil Lee, Il Sik Kim, Kwan Sik Myung, In Sun Seo, Bong Soo Han, Sang Chul Lee, Il Kwon Kim, Wally Jay, George Dillman and Danny Inosanto. Master Crays has traveled all over the United States, Korea, and South America as either a competitor, instructor, coach or official.

In 1999, Master Crays traveled to Kyung Ju, Korea, the birthplace of ancient Taekwondo (Tae Kyon and Hwa Rang Do) to train and test for his 6th Dan Black Belt. Again, in 2005, Master Crays returned to the Land of the Morning Calm to promote to his 7th Dan Black Belt. This time he took 10 of his Black Belt students and two other Taekwondo Masters, all of whom promoted also. The group traveled again to Korea and China in 2008. In 2013 Master Crays participated in the Kukkiwon Special Promotion Test held in Chicago and received his 8th Dan Black Belt.

Master Crays was elected President of the Indiana AAU Taekwondo Association in 2009, was re-elected in 2013 and is currently serving.

Master Crays was appointed Indiana State President of the U.S. Taekwondo Committee by Grandmaster Sang Chul Lee, President of the U.S. Taekwondo Committee.

Master Crays has received over 200 awards and trophies for various competitions and instruction including State and National Champion Awards from 1978 to 2006, Indiana AAU Athlete of the Year in 1983, Instructor of the Year in 1988 and Indiana State Taekwondo Association Athlete of the year in 2001. Master Crays has also trained numerous State and National Champions and has trained over 300 Black Belts as an instructor.

Master Crays has dedicated his life to martial arts training and plans to continue sharing his knowledge and experience with his students and other martial artists for as long as there are students who want to learn and train. In 1986 Master Crays accepted Christ into his life and believes that the discipline and art of Taekwondo go hand in hand with the discipline of Christ’s teachings and his commitment to his life with Christ.