GM David J. Praim

ABOUT GRAND MASTER DAVID J. PRAIM

GRAND MASTER DAVID J. PRAIM
(KI #1, MDK #3593, MDK Certified Inst. #72)

Grand Master David J. Praim is the Executive Director of KI Tang Soo Do. He began teaching Tang Soo Do in Michigan in 1961. Under his instruction and guidance, members of KI have won thousands of trophies in local, national and international competition and are nationally known as representatives of one of the finest martial art organizations in the country.

Mr. Praim was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1939 and went to Mt. Clemens High School in Mt. Clemens,Michigan. Leaving high school early, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 at the age of 17.

Mr. Praim was stationed in Korea in 1957 where he spent five years. While in Korea, he trained three hours a day, six days a week under Master Lee Jung Ha. In October 1961 Mr. Praim tested in front of Grand Master Hwang Kee and was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt. He became one of the first Americans to be promoted to black belt in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do in Korea. Mr. Praim continued his training at this pace and in 1962 was promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt, two months before he was honorably discharged from the armed services.

Upon returning home, Mr. Praim opened his first club in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Interest and membership excelled at such a rate that the school under the direction of Mr. Praim, became nationally known as one of the finest organizations in the country. In 1967 Mr. Praim was appointed Director of Moo Duk Kwan for the State of Michigan by Grand Master Hwang Kee. Mr. Praim was awarded his 4th Degree Master Black Belt in May 1970.

In addition to personally capturing the 1970 American Moo Duk Kwan Heavyweight Championship, he coached the 1971 Ohio State team champions, the 1972 Michigan State team champions, 1972 North American team champions and the Detroit All Stars Professional Karate team which went undefeated in taking the Midwest Championship of the National Karate League. In July 1972, Mr. Praim took the Detroit All Stars to Los Angeles, California where they emerged as first runners-up for the National Karate League team championship of the United States. Two of his black belts, Everett “Monster man” Eddy and Johnny Lee, won Professional World Champion karate titles. He has also directed nationally sanctioned tournaments since 1966 including the Four Seasons Karate Championships, the Battle of Atlanta, the Grand National Karate Championships and the Moo Duk Kwan National Championships. In 1971 Master Praim became one of the Founders and National Directors of Karate Institute. Master Praim was awarded the 1st KI Golden Directors Award by Algene Caraulia in 1974.

In 1975 Master Praim was honored as “Instructor of Best Club in North America” by Professional Karate Magazine. He is also listed in 1975’s Who’s Who in the Martial Arts, 1982’s Who’s Who in the American Martial Arts and 1985’s Master, Founder, and Leaders of the American Martial Arts. In November 1983 Master Praim was presented with a “25 Years in the Martial Arts” award by Master Instructor Chuck Norris. In June 1992 Master Praim was given a Letter of Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership and promoted to Grand Master 8th Degree Black Belt by Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Senior Grand Master Jae Joon Kim. 1992 also brought induction into the Michigan Karate Hall of Fame. Through the League of Grand Masters, Mr. Praim was awarded his 9th degree Black Belt on March 13, 2010. Grand Master Praim was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt by NKMAA President Rudy W. Timmerman October, 2017. Grand Master Praim’s entire family has also been involved in the martial arts.

His wife Sue #39, son David E. #191, Granddaughter Angel M. #235, Granddaughter Nancy A. #248, and brother Mike Roberts #22 all attained the rank of black belt.

Grand Master David Praim is currently a candidate for induction into the OFFICIAL TAEKWONDO HALL OF FAME® at the ceremony that will be conducted in Munich, Germany on August 23, 2024.