To be an expert in your field is a great accomplishment! To be highly respected in your field is an even greater accomplishment, but to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame in your specialty area is everyone’s dream! For Grand Master George Somersall, this is exactly an accomplishment that came as no surprise to him or others when he was nominated for this auspicious recognition in Martial Arts. Grand Master Somersall was born in St. Kitts and grew up on a beautiful tropical island.
Keeping standards high within his community, Grand Master George, (Junie) as he is affectionately called, serves as a mentor to many. He currently manages his own business. He has played a huge role in the development and expansion of Martial Arts and its philosophies in different areas within his immediate environment in the USA and internationally having traveled back to the Caribbean where it all started.
Brought through from the humble beginnings of his childhood, George recalls his Mom, the late Audrey Somersall, as one of his greatest influences in capturing a perfect personality of commitment and strength as he pursued life’s challenges in an environment where it was not enough to do the bare minimum but he was encouraged to strive for excellence in everything. This expectation of high standards has translated into numerous successes for Grand Master George Somersall. Grand Master George recognized, from a very early age, that hard work, daily exercise, and continuous practice in Martial Arts were the strategies that ensured success in this dynamic art form. He began this journey of success at the tender age of 5 when he joined a very influential group of respected and committed mentors like his brother, Glen Somersall who saw to it that George did not miss a beat at following through on important tasks that cultivated great philosophies about life both physically and mentally.
His first Hall Of Fame induction was the World Karate Union Hall Of Fame, in 2004. Following, shortly, was his induction in the Jujitsu Hall Of Fame, also in 2004. Prior to the Jujitsu induction, Grand Master George was the recipient of another recognition, this time on June 26 in 2004 from the Taekwondo Hall Of Fame. Recognition for his commitment to Martial Arts did not stop there. He was recognized and inducted into the USA International Black Belt Hall Of Fame in 2005 followed by another recognition in August of 2011, this time in Seoul, Korea, from the official Taekwondo Hall Of Fame when he was awarded for his outstanding achievement in his pioneering work as a Martial Arts instructor on the island of Montserrat. What was so special about this particular induction was his work in introducing the art on this Caribbean island sparking further interest in Martial Arts throughout the Caribbean region. In 2013, his continued dedication earned him a citation in recognition of his promotion of Taekwondo as a Martial Art and a global sport. In 2016, Grand Master George was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall Of Fame and was awarded with the Martial Arts Excellence Award.
Recognized as one of the greats, Grand Master George Somersall stands amongst a very small percentage of Martial Arts greats having earned numerous awards. He continues to do his part in propelling Martial Arts forward through his many guest appearances at professional workshops, conferences, and specialty certification events throughout the United States, the Caribbean and some parts of Asia.
Grand Master George served outstandingly as Assistant Director and technical advisor on the International Taekwondo Hall Of Fame board representing the East Coast of the USA. He has held this position since 2019.