GM Akbar Haidary

ABOUT GRANDMASTER AKBAR HAIDARY

Name: Grandmaster Akbar Haidary

School/Organization: Haidary Taekwondo Association

Place of Birth: Kabul, Afghanistan

Year of Birth: 1958 (67 years old)

Residence: Canada (living in Canada for 41 years)

Early Martial Arts Journey

Grandmaster Akbar Haidary began his martial arts journey at the age of 15 while in grade 9 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

His first instructor was Grandmaster Phil Cunningham, and he trained in the ITF Taekwondo style.

In 1976, he achieved his first black belt under the guidance of his master.

Contributions in Afghanistan

From 1974 to 1983, Grandmaster Haidary emerged as one of the pioneering figures of Taekwondo in Afghanistan.

He opened his first Taekwondo school, the Haidary Taekwondo Association, in Kabul in 1974.

Over the next decade, he organized more than 32 demonstrations across Kabul and various provinces.

By the time he left Afghanistan in 1983, he had already trained over 400 students, many of whom went on to carry forward his legacy.

International Journey

After leaving Afghanistan in 1983, Grandmaster Haidary continued his training and teaching in Pakistan.

In 1986, he immigrated to Canada, where he revived his martial arts career and became active in the North American Taekwondo community.

Between 1986 and 1990, he competed in numerous tournaments across Canada and the United States, earning five medals.

His ranks and achievements include:
• 6th Dan Black Belt (2010)
• 7th Dan Black Belt (2011) – awarded in Washington D.C. by Grandmaster Phil Cunningham
• 8th Dan Black Belt (2019) – awarded in Washington D.C. by Simba Dojang Organization
• 9th Dan Black Belt (December 2024) – awarded by the prestigious World Korean Martial Arts Union

Leadership and International Responsibilities

Grandmaster Haidary continues to play a leadership role in promoting Taekwondo worldwide:

• Director for Afghanistan – Hall of Fame Taekwondo Organization (past 4 years)
• International Director – Simba Dojang Organization, Washington D.C.
• Under his leadership, 22 countries now represent the Haidary Taekwondo Association.
• More than 80 clubs and training centers operate under his guidance across Afghanistan and internationally.

Vision and Mission

For more than five decades, Grandmaster Akbar Haidary has dedicated his life to Taekwondo. His mission is to inspire, mentor, and empower the younger generation, spreading the values of discipline, respect, and perseverance.
By training students both in Afghanistan and among the Afghan diaspora, he has built an enduring legacy that bridges cultures and generations.
Recognized by some of the most respected organizations in the martial arts world, Grandmaster Haidary stands as a symbol of commitment, leadership, and service to the art of Taekwondo and to his homeland.

2022 – Received thev highest honor in Taekwondo upon being inducted into the OFFICIAL TAEKWOND|O HALL OF FAME®