Terence Geoghegan, VIII Dan
Master Terence Geoghegan, VIII Dan, is a senior leader, instructor, international official, competitor, and legal professional within the United States International Taekwon-Do Federation (US-ITF). He serves as Vice President and General Counsel of the US-ITF and is an ITF International Master Instructor and Class A International Umpire.
Master Geoghegan began his Taekwon-Do training in September 1977 at California State University, Hayward, studying under Master Robert Zambetti. In 1980, he moved to Santa Barbara, California, where he continued his training in ITF Taekwon-Do under Master Sabree Salleh.
When Master Salleh returned to his native Malaysia around 1985, Master Geoghegan continued his training under Grand Master Robert N. Wheatley, who had recently immigrated to the United States from Ireland. This relationship became an important part of Master Geoghegan's continued technical and professional development in ITF Taekwon-Do.
Between 1987 and 1992, Master Geoghegan studied law by correspondence while traveling extensively throughout Europe by motorcycle. His travels coincided with some of the most significant political changes in modern European history, including the opening of the Austrian-Hungarian border, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
During his years in Europe, Master Geoghegan continued his Taekwon-Do training and teaching, working with highly ranked instructors in Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Greece. He was able to train in different Taekwon-Do schools and share his own knowledge as an instructor, gaining a broad international perspective on ITF Taekwon-Do.
Master Geoghegan returned to the United States in 1992 and established his home and legal practice in Ventura, California. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of training with many of the world's highest-ranking Taekwon-Do instructors, including General Choi Hong Hi, Founder of Taekwon-Do, and Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa.
COMPETITION & TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENTSMaster Geoghegan has an extensive competitive record, earning medals in patterns, sparring, and breaking throughout his competitive career.
He continued competing at a high level well into his forties. In February 2000, at the age of 44, he concluded his competitive career by winning the Gold Medal in Men's Heavyweight Black Belt Sparring at the ITF California State Championships.
His competitive experience has become an important part of his teaching and coaching, particularly in the areas of sparring strategy, breaking, and tournament preparation.
US-ITF LEADERSHIP & SERVICEAs Vice President and General Counsel of the US-ITF, Master Geoghegan provides legal guidance and assists with matters affecting the organization's administration and operations. His legal background provides the US-ITF with professional expertise in legal and organizational matters.
He also remains actively involved in the technical development of the organization. Master Geoghegan travels extensively on behalf of the US-ITF, conducting advanced black belt gradings, Master Classes, and International Umpire training.
He is particularly recognized for his expertise in breaking techniques and regularly incorporates breaking instruction into his advanced seminars and Master Classes.
Through his combination of legal knowledge, international Taekwon-Do experience, competition background, and technical expertise, Master Geoghegan continues to make a significant contribution to the development and administration of the US-ITF.
Master Geoghegan began his Taekwon-Do training in September 1977 at California State University, Hayward, studying under Master Robert Zambetti. In 1980, he moved to Santa Barbara, California, where he continued his training in ITF Taekwon-Do under Master Sabree Salleh.
When Master Salleh returned to his native Malaysia around 1985, Master Geoghegan continued his training under Grand Master Robert N. Wheatley, who had recently immigrated to the United States from Ireland. This relationship became an important part of Master Geoghegan's continued technical and professional development in ITF Taekwon-Do.
Between 1987 and 1992, Master Geoghegan studied law by correspondence while traveling extensively throughout Europe by motorcycle. His travels coincided with some of the most significant political changes in modern European history, including the opening of the Austrian-Hungarian border, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
During his years in Europe, Master Geoghegan continued his Taekwon-Do training and teaching, working with highly ranked instructors in Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Greece. He was able to train in different Taekwon-Do schools and share his own knowledge as an instructor, gaining a broad international perspective on ITF Taekwon-Do.
Master Geoghegan returned to the United States in 1992 and established his home and legal practice in Ventura, California. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of training with many of the world's highest-ranking Taekwon-Do instructors, including General Choi Hong Hi, Founder of Taekwon-Do, and Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa.
COMPETITION & TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENTSMaster Geoghegan has an extensive competitive record, earning medals in patterns, sparring, and breaking throughout his competitive career.
He continued competing at a high level well into his forties. In February 2000, at the age of 44, he concluded his competitive career by winning the Gold Medal in Men's Heavyweight Black Belt Sparring at the ITF California State Championships.
His competitive experience has become an important part of his teaching and coaching, particularly in the areas of sparring strategy, breaking, and tournament preparation.
US-ITF LEADERSHIP & SERVICEAs Vice President and General Counsel of the US-ITF, Master Geoghegan provides legal guidance and assists with matters affecting the organization's administration and operations. His legal background provides the US-ITF with professional expertise in legal and organizational matters.
He also remains actively involved in the technical development of the organization. Master Geoghegan travels extensively on behalf of the US-ITF, conducting advanced black belt gradings, Master Classes, and International Umpire training.
He is particularly recognized for his expertise in breaking techniques and regularly incorporates breaking instruction into his advanced seminars and Master Classes.
Through his combination of legal knowledge, international Taekwon-Do experience, competition background, and technical expertise, Master Geoghegan continues to make a significant contribution to the development and administration of the US-ITF.