News

The southeastern regional spring cycle Dan Shim Sa (Black Belt test) and annual championships took place in Cleveland, GA on April 20th and 21st. We started off with a great black belt test consisting of over 50 Black Belts and Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt Candidates) on Friday night April 20th. The test was a great demonstration of skill from all the participants, but we always have a few that stand out and go home with the coveted best of test trophies. For this test they were William Townsend for the adults and Katie Paris for the children, both from Eagle leadership Martial Arts.

 In its customary venue of Camp ASCCA in Jackson’s Gap, Alabama, the Southeastern region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation held a successful and enjoyable Black Belt Camp under the watchful eye of Grandmaster John St. James and Twelve other Masters from a variety of schools around the Southeast. 

Warm fall weather and the changing of the leaves was a perfect backdrop for the 2017 Northeastern Region APTSDF Championships and Regional Dan Shim Sa or black belt test. Federation schools from across the region gathered on Saturday, October 14th at Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin, CT for what turned out to be our largest Championships in years. Over 90 competitors and 8 Federation Masters took part in this spectacular gathering. Special thanks go out to Kwan Jang Nim St. James and International Master Deborah Jett for taking the time to join us and having an ever presence in our regional events.

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.