News

The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation’s Southwest Region held its 5th annual Dan Shim Sa (black belt test) and Championship Tournament September 29-30 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kwan Jang Nim John St. James traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to oversee the event. Kwan Jang Nim St. James was joined by Sunim Sabom Nim Mark Farquharson, who traveled from Aurora, Colorado. Regional school owners, and their students, from Thunderbird Martial Arts, Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Tang Soo Do, Aurora, CO; Abilene Karate Academy, Abilene, TX; and Cornerstone Martial Arts & Leadership Academy, Arlington, TX made the trip to participate. The event was hosted by Mr. Tom Witterholt, Bu Sabom, of Thunderbird Martial Arts, and the venue was The Boys & Girls Club of Central New Mexico.

Sixteen V-Town Family Karate students of Master Navarra attended an overnight camp at John Carroll High School in Birmingham, Alabama. We are grateful to the Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Foundation for the support and transportation to and from the event. We are grateful to the 5 Vredenburgh chaperones and the adult workers at John Carroll who fed us and organized the event.

Serve, Lead and Inspire! This was the theme for the 2017 Kodanja (Master’s Clinic) and the New England Regional Black Belt Camp held at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts from June 23rd to the 25th. This year was the first Kodanja which was held at Springfield College and it was one to remember for the ages. The two separate events shared some venues on campus and yet there were two distinct schedules and no shortage of valuable instruction. It was a real treat!

The Southwest Region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation celebrated its 3rd annual Leadership Camp and Dan Shim Sa on June 9-11 at the beautiful Butman Methodist Camp in Merkel, Texas. Over 50 participants, chaperones, masters, instructors, and school owners gathered together in the rustic setting to enjoy a full weekend of camaraderie, leadership training, and excellent instruction in all five pillars of the martial arts, fulfilling the camp’s theme: “Serve, Lead, Inspire.”

On the weekend of April 21-22 the southeastern region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation had its spring cycle Dan Shim Sa (Black Belt test) and review, as well as its annual championships in Cleveland GA. Over 50 Black Belts and Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt Candidates) tested or reviewed on Friday night April 21st and then on Saturday the weekend continued with our regional championships and finished up with a great dinner to celebrate.

On the 4^thFebruary 2017, Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation opened the 7^th annual Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) tour: The Art of Street Defense in Albuquerque NM.  Kwan Jang Nim John St. James, 8^th Dan, covered practical street defense, flow sets. Il Soo Sik (one step), and knife & gun defense.

As I sit down to write this article about another great black belt camp, I am reminded of the many great times we have had at Black Belt Camp. This year was no different and in fact might have been the best we have ever had. Not only was the weather picture perfect and yet the filling of family and brotherhood was palpable.

The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation’s Southwest Region held its 4th annual Dan Shim Sa (black belt test) and Championship Tournament 23-25 September in Lubbock, TX. Kwan Jang Nim John St. James and Kuktche Sabom Nim Debbie Jett traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to oversee the event. Additionally, Sunim Sabom Nim Mark Farquharson traveled from Aurora, Colorado and Sabom Nim Peter Estrada from Abilene, Texas to help, as well. Regional school owners, and their students, from Thunderbird Martial Arts, Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Tang Soo Do, Aurora, CO; Abilene Karate Academy, Abilene, TX; and DFW Tang Soo Do, Ft. Worth, TX made the trip to participate.

Against the backdrop of the beautiful campus at Springfield College, the 2016 New England Regional Black Belt Camp and Regional Dan Shim Sa took place with attendees traveling from all parts of the region, from New Hampshire to Maryland. This was the 4th APTSDF function of this kind at the college and our hosts provided us with a fabulous environment to learn, train, and engage in fellowship. The New England region has undergone some transition over the past year, but with the significant growth in attendance at this year's camp compared to prior years, we look forward to a flourishing presence of talented martial artists in the Northeast. 

On July 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th, 2016, the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation hosted its annual Ko Dan Ja Master’s Clinic and National Championships. The events took place at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA.