| The Songahm Taekwondo Federation is the branch of the
ATA that covers South America. It was founded in 1984
by Grand Master H. U. Lee and Master Cesar Ozuna. The
STF was the first international attempt of Grand Master
Lee at spreading Songahm Taekwondo outside of the United
States and Canada. An expansion like this can only happen
with the "right" people involved. Master Cesar
Ozuna is one of those people. He has a strong educational
background including a high school diploma from the
French High School (Asuncion, Paraquay), degrees in
business administration, international relations, and
personnel management (Stockton, California) and a master’s
degree and doctorate from Schiller College (Europe University
at Heidelberg, Germany). He has been equally successful
in martial arts competition with numerous victories
in tournaments, kick-boxing matches, and as a team coach.
It was while in the United States for his schooling
in California that Master Ozuna was introduced to the
ATA. In 1982, Master Ozuna opened his first school in
Paraguay and decided to join the American Taekwondo
Association.
Through the previous direction of Eternal Grand Master
H.U. Lee, continuing direction from Grand Master Soon
Ho Lee, and the hard work of Master Ozuna, the Songahm
Taekwondo Federation has grown constantly throughout
the years. What started out in Paraquay has now extended
to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and
Peru.
With seven countries and over 120 schools on the rosters,
an annual international tournament in Foz do Iguassu,
Brazil that hosts over a thousand STF and ATA competitors,
and an annual Instructor Certification Camp, the STF
is certainly a success story for the growth of Songahm
Taekwondo around the world and the fulfillment of Eternal
Grand Master H.U. Lee's vision.
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