Curriculum Vitae - Master Trân Triêu Quân

Master Trân Triêu Quân was born in Hanoi, Viet Nam, in 1952. He is a Canadian citizen, having lived in Canada for more than 30 years.

Taekwon-Do
In 1964,Trân started Taekwon-Do training, obtaining his Black Belt 1st degree in 1967. At the age of seventeen, as Secretary General of the student committee at Vo Truong Toan secondary school in Saigon, he innovated by starting a Taekwon-Do Centre in the school. At the end of the first year, the club had more than 500 members; they were soon competing successfully in various regional and national competitions, and membership continued to grow.

Moving to Canada for university studies in 1970,Trân started teaching Taekwon-Do through Laval University and the local municipal recreation department. He founded the Sainte-Foy Taekwon Do Club, regional associations, and the Fédération Québeçoise de Taekwon-Do International (ITF).

In 1981, he published a self-defence handbook for women titled Cessez d’avoir peur (Don’t be afraid). Under his leadership, Taekwon-Do ITF was accepted as a credited course at Laval University. In 1986, with $100,000 in government funding, he set up a programme to train unemployed young people to become Taekwon-Do instructors. This led to collaboration in scientific research on the theory of power of Taekwon-Do, methods of intervention, and the teaching of the mental aspects of Taekwon-Do, notably the philosophy (the Do). He has also initiated many other development programmes and innovative training projects. Master Trân was chief coach for the Canadian team from 1980 to 1989, leading them to the overall team championship at the World Championship competition held in Glasgow (Scotland) in 1984. That same year, he was named "Coach of the Year" by the selection committee for the Quebec Gala des athletes, which is made up of representatives of the media and various sports federations.

Starting in 1985, he was elected to two successive terms as President of the Canadian Taekwon-Do Federation International (CTFI), serving until 1989. As President, he put in place effective structures for the financing of competitions and the training of the national team.

In 1990,Trân received his ITF 7th degree certificate from the Founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi, earning the title “Master”. In that same year, he organized the 8th World Taekwon-Do Championship in Montreal (Canada). Representatives of the media and the public selected this championship as the "Best Event of the Year".

General Choi asked Trân to act as President of the Panam Continental Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) in 1991.
He resigned after one year, due to the lack of clear policies and support of the ITF for the operations of the continental structure. Since 1980, Master Trân has given Taekwon-Do seminars in many countries and has assisted General Choi on numerous promotional missions. In addition, he has been involved in strategic development activities and served as a mediator for national Taekwon-Do federations around the globe.

In 2000, Master Trân earned his 8th degree black belt. In 2001, at General Choi’s request, he again became President of the Panam Continental Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) as well as Chairman of the ITF Tournament Committee. In December 2002, Mr. Russell MacLellan,Acting President of the ITF, appointed Trân as a member of the ITF Council, giving him a more active role in the management of the ITF.

The Quebec Museum of Civilisation honoured Trân with the title of “Productive Citizen” in 1987.

Professional Experience
Trân holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Laval University in Quebec (Canada) and is a recognized expert in building safety. He has also taken courses in public management, international marketing, and communications offered by Laval University, École nationale d’administration publique, the Quebec Ministry of International Relations, and the World Trade Center in Montréal.

1974-1987
Technical Advisor for Building Inspection Acting Regional Director of Operations, Ministry of Labour, Province of Quebec (Canada)

1987-1989
Consultant in building safety At École nationale d’administration publique, taught special advanced courses on the application of building safety regulations in hospitals and schools

1990-1994
Founder and President,TTQ & Associates International Corporation a firm which assisted Canadian companies wishing to do business in Viet Nam and other South-East Asian countries

1998 - present
Founding Associate and President of Norbati Consultants Trân & Associates a firm of engineers, architects and other specialists offering their expertise in training and management for building safety for projects to reform and modernize the construction sector particularly in emerging economies

His Fight for Justice and Freedom
During a business trip to Viet Nam in 1994, Trân was unjustly accused concerning a failed business transaction for which he was acting as intermediary. He was made the scapegoat and, after a summary trial, sentenced to life in prison.

Investigations by Interpol, Canadian authorities, and a determined journalist confirmed his innocence. The case attracted enormous public support in Canada - more than 125,000 people signed a petition for his release – and around the world. The Canadian Government intervened, as did the Human Rights Center of the United Nations and Amnesty International. After almost three years of unjust imprisonment,Trân was released and returned to Canada to public acclaim.

As a result of this experience, he was selected by the International Human Rights and Democracy Center of Canada as an ambassador in the From Witness to Advocate Programme, organized as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights. He was able to tell his story to large audiences across Canada, highlighting the importance of human rights for everyone.

Trân credits his ability to survive this ordeal to his extensive Taekwon-Do training, his firm belief in the tenets of Taekwon-Do – integrity, indomitable spirit, and perseverance – and many years of study of the philosophy of Taekwon-Do. In extremely difficult conditions, he used meditation to find the inner strength that gave meaning to his life and enabled him to encourage other prisoners to cultivate hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.

In 1997 the professional association of engineers for the Quebec region honoured Trân, mentioning his determination and strength of character.

Trân is married to My Nguyen Trân; their children are Joliette, Cécilia, and Nicholas. In May 1997 during the Quebec Week of the Family, the Trân family was chosen "Family of the Year".

Master Trân Triêu Quân continues to devote much time and energy to the organisation and promotion Taekwon-Do on the international level, believing that everyone should have the opportunity to learn about this philosophy, which has been a guiding principle in his life.