Tommy Chang (martial artist)
Born and raised in Kyong Ki Do, South Korea, Master Tommy Chang is a Korean-Canadian world-renowned 7th degree Taekwondo and 8Th Degree Hapkido instructor and Grandmaster, actor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator and producer.[1] With over 40 years of training and experience in Taekwondo and Hapkido, Master Chang also trained extensively in ITF/WTF TKD, Moo Duk Kwan, and Judo.[2] He is also an 8th Degree Black Belt in Hap Ki-Do, specializing in pressure points, take-downs and grappling.[1] His martial arts expertise also encompasses mastery of several weapons. In addition, he is a WTF-certified Master Instructor of Taekwondo and a Canadian National Referee (1st Class).[2]
Taekwondo
He is one of the most readily recognized leaders in the Taekwondo community, boasting a thriving Taekwondo school, Black Belt World (www.taekwondo.ca), with branch locations in Woodbridge, Brampton, Barrie , Vaughan , Milton, Mississauga and Vancouver. Headquartered in the heart of Korea Town in Toronto, Black Belt World offers curricula, Olympic sparring, and weapons training in Taekwondo for students of all ages. Recently, a new location in Atlanta, Georgia, was opened with Black Belt World Atlanta.[2]
Master Chang’s career is marked with several milestones including being elected Vice President Sport of Taekwondo Canada, having been the Canadian Taekwondo Team Manager for the 2nd Korean Open in 1999, as well as the Canadian National Team Manager and Coach for the 1999 Taekwondo World Championship in Turkey. He also held several offices such as Vice-Chairman of the World Tae Kwon Do Association of Canada (Tournament Committee), Pan-American Tae Kwon Do Union Tournament Vice-Chairman (2004–2006), and Pan-American Tae Kwon Do Union Financial Committee Chairman (2004–2006). At the provincial level, he also served as the Ontario Taekwondo Association Chairman from 2007 to 2008. He is the past 1st Vice-President of the Ontario Taekwondo Association.[2]
Film and television
Master Tommy Chang has worked extensively in the film and television industry for over 28 years in several capacities as actor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator and producer.[1] He is also the founder, manager and team leader of ReelStunts Film/Television Action Stunt Team. Additionally, he also personally trained several members of his stunt team which specializes in Martial Arts, High Falls, Stunt Driving, Fireburns, Gymnastics, Acrobatics, Breakdancing, Weapons Training, Motion Capture Acting, Wirework, and Acting.[1] His stunt team includes the personalities of Simon Kim, James Kim, Joe Eigo, Emerson Wong,Allen Keng and Tonya Henry. Some of the noteworthy accomplishments of this team include having worked with Steven Seagal, Chow Yun-fat, David Carradine, Seth Rogan, James Franco, Charlie Hunnam, Vin Diesel, and Jackie Chan.[1]
He is well known for being risk-taking in the performance of his stunts. An example of his daredevilry is seen in his stunt execution for a television show called Side Factor. After performing multiple takes of propulsion into the air via an air ram, Master Chang wound up with a compound fracture.[3]
He completed a major motion picture as fight choreographer in 2012 on a block buster Hollywood film called Pacific Rim directed by Guillermo Del Toro and produced by Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures starring Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day,Idris Elba and Rinko Kikuchi and Ron Perlman. Recently in 2013 he has produced a full feature movie as Associate Producer called the Hacker with his good friend Sanzhar Sultanov. He also executive produced a short feature film called the Proposal starring Missy Peregyrm and Peter Mooney. You will catch him the feature film Robocop and The Interview starring James Franco in 2014 in theatres world wide.