MASTER LINH THAI MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY Master Linh Thai is a first generation refugee from Vietnam. Along with his family of seven, they came to the USA in pursuit of freedom in April of 1983. An avid student of martial arts teachings and Eastern philosophies since the age of 12, Master Linh Thai has over 22 years of experience in holistic fitness and martial arts training. He is the Founder of AMERICAN VOVINAM INSTITUTE – a community based institution dedicated to empower and build assets for youth and their families through the vehicle of martial arts instructions and community development, headquarters in Seattle, Washington – WWW.VOVINAMUSA.ORG. The American Vovinam Institute has received wide public support including top public officials such as the Mayor of Seattle, King County Sheriff and the Governor of Washington State. MARTIAL ARTS EDUCATION AND ACHIEVEMENTS: -
Deputy Master level of VOVINAM-VIETVODAO (Fourth degree Black belt equivalent) directly promoted by the current Grand Master of Vovinam-Vietvodao, Le Sang, 03/2000
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National Technical Director, IVVDA – USA (Current)
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Member of Council of World Masters, World Vovinam Federation
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King County Director of Vovinam VietVoDao Association, Washington, 1996-2002
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Self-defense and language instructor for 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, 1994-1996
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Fourth degree Black-belt of TAEKWONDO, ITF, 06/92
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Third degree Black-belt of AIKIDO, 09/95
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1st place Washington State Taekwondo championship 1992
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1st place Mid-weight Invitational Armed Forces Martial Arts Championship, Korea 1990
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Master Degree graduate of the University of Washington
COMMUNITY SERVICE RECORD: - Chairperson of the Board of Directors – Vietnamese Children Foundation - International Community Health Services, Seattle, Washington - The South King County Crime Prevention Committee, Kent, Washington - The Carolinas Asian Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte (NC) - The Eastside Economic Development Corporation (NC) - The Education Foundation of Charlotte, NC - The Arts and Science Council of North Carolina - Community advocate for Asian American youth in Public School system Master Linh Thai has trained hundreds of students of all ages and has produced dozens of instructors in the United States. He organized successfully the first ever VOVINAM hosted open style tournament in the United States, with hundreds of attending athletes from 5 other major martial arts styles and spectators – The 2004 Youth Invitational Martial Arts Championship. Master Linh Thai is available for individual, group lessons and corporate seminars in North America. To contact him, please call at: (206) 293 7732 or e-mail at: master@vovinamusa.org