History Tang Soo Do

Ancient Times
Grandmaster Hwang Kee
Grandmaster Cheezic & Tang Soo Do Federation
Tang Soo Do in Poland

Ancient Times

Roots of TSD can be found in times, when a human being had to develop martial arts to protect himself. Martial art was developed after abserving the nature. In TSD history we cannot forget about Korea - the history of this country was very often dramatic, beacuse of its location.
Development of martial arts in Korea was connected with Silla Dynasty (668- 935). This Dynasty in 668 consolidated three Kingdoms: Silla, Koguryo and Paekche. Monastery Hwa Rang Do - "Way of growng courage" came into existence. They trained selected youths to become great warriors. Young people studied martial arts, military tactics, history, philosophy, poetry and ethics. "Hwa Rang Do" was resposible for teaching Tae Kyun (ancient martial art).

In the next century Silla Dynasty stopped to rule. Consolidation of all lands was made by Wang Kon and called it Ko Ryo. And this is the root of 'Korea' name. In those times, a new martial art developed - Soo Bahk Ki.
Rules of Yi Dynasty is a very bad time for korean martial arts, because of changes in religion. Although there was a huge crisis in martial arts, Yi Duk Moo created a text about korean martial arts "Moo Yei Dobo Tong Ji".
We cannot also forget about japanese occupation, which lasted for 36 years (since 1909). People were not allowed to practise any martial art, so they studied it in strict confidence. After the Second World War, many new schools appeared in Korea.

Grandmaster Hwang Kee

During the occupancy, korean martial arts masters studied in different places and coutries. That is why we can find many influences from other arts. Master Hwang Kee studied in strict confidence in Korea, practised Tae Kyun and Soo Bhak Do. He was also arrested an prisoned by Japanese. Master managed to escape and find a shelter on Manguri, where he continued to train. After his return to Korea i 1945, Master Hwang Kee opened his first school Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. He taught there friendship and developmet of strength and power. There were many martial arts, which origined from Tae Kyun/ Subak, such as: Soo Bhak Do, Kwon Bob, Tang Soo, Hwa Soo and Kong Soo Do.

In 1955 many schools (kwan) created an association called Tae Soo Do Association. The name was changed many times. In maj 1973 Association accepted the name: "World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF)"

Different ideas had the practitioners of TSD. Grandmaster Hwang Kee kept the original organization Moo Duk Kwan. Although many techniques are similar to Tae Kwon Do, the attidute to word 'art' is different. Tang Soo Do is not a sport. It is supposed to be a traditional martial art, which stresses the development of your character, strength, spiritual aspects.

Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation

Kwan Jang Nim Robert Cheezic - 10 DAN

While serving in the U.S. Air Force in Korea, Grandmaster Cheezic began the study of Tang Soo Do under Grandmaster Jae C. Shin. Grandmaster Shin is today the head of the very large and important World Tang Soo Do Association, which is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Grandmaster Cheezic received his black belt in October 1960 from Grandmaster Hwang Kee, who developed and established the discipline of Tang Soo Do as we know it today. Hwang Kee and Jae C. Shin are historic figures in international martial arts.

Master Cheezic came home to Waterbury, Connecticut in 1960 and in that year opened a Tang Soo Do dojang. Over the years this dojang has grown into the Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation that today includes over 50 locations in 13 states including several international locations. Since the beginning over 25,000 students have been enrolled. In 1 999, the Federation awarded its thousandth black belt and continues to grow. Included in our list of black belts are 41 master-belts.

Our training is traditional, encompassing the refinement of technique, hyung (forms) and dae ryun (sparring). We encourage the pursuit of excellence in our Art and applaud our students and instructors achievements both within our discipline and in their scholastic or personal achievements. Members of the Federation at all levels regularly take part in exhibitions and tournaments at home and abroad. Teams representing our Federation have competed throughout the United States; and internationally in Europe, Asia, the Carribean, Australia and Poland.

The bedrock of the Federation has always been and continues to be its emphasis on respect for the traditions, beliefs, and practices which characterize Tang Soo Do.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Very simply, our goal is to teach self-respect and respect for others through the study and practice of Tang Soo Do, a very historic and traditional Korean discipline of the martial arts. The ideas of respect and tradition are pervasive in all of our activities and for all students at every level of achievement.


WHO WE ARE

We are instructors and students from all walks of life, at all ages (from 4 to 70+ years), boys and girls, men and women, the specially challenged. We speak of ourselves as "family"…that is our mindset.


WHAT WE DO

On the spectrum of martial arts, Tang Soo Do is an external, hard discipline. We teach forms (hyungs), sparring, weapons, breaking, self-defense techniques. We expect everyone to learn basic Korean martial arts terminology and the language of courtesy. We take part in martial arts tournaments across the country and internationally, hold tournaments within our own Federation, and offer a raft of activities for our young people-…everything from summer camps to cookouts to sleep-overs. We take part in community activities by giving exhibitions in schools, fairs, and taking part in Special Olympics activities.

Tang Soo Do in Poland

TSD appeared in Poland as an official martial art on 24 Feb 2001. There was a special seminar in Pionki near Radom with Master Suresh Nar - 5 Dan, representing International Martial Arts Association (IMA). In this seminar took part about 100 people training karate in Karate-do Center. In the comitee, we could see Marcin Kostyra, Zbigniew Cywiński, Marek Łagoda, who for three years was a president of TSD IMA Instructors.
Because of the irresponsibility of chiefs of TSD Poland, our art could not develop properly. The only success was a good performance during European Championships in April 2002.

January 2004 - was created Tang Soo Do Association, based in Pionki (Chief: Szymon Pawłowski)

8 may 2004 - Tang Soo Do debute during Martial Arts Festival in Wroclaw, there was also a performance from World Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Fedreation, Bartłomiej Gwazdacz from Leszno

July 2004 - the first Unofficial TSD Tournament (unofficial, beacause organized during our camp with many 'original' and funny games)

October 2004 - first website about TSD

1 November 2004 - TSD instructors join IMA and Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation.

5 December 2004 - we take part in a Tournament in Swidnik

18 December 2004 - first Official TSD Tournament in Konskowola, near Pulawy, organized by Marcin Kostyra

18 December 2004 - new commission is chosen. Main Dojang was moved from Pionki to Pulawy

3-4 April 2005 - we take part in International Championships in Moldavia (we got 4 medals!)

7 May 2005 - Second TSD Tournament, in which took part 85 competitors

19 June 2005 - we take part in Taekwondo Championships in Lublin (23 medals)

11 July 2005 - Second Seminar in Konskowola near Pulawy with Kwan Jang Nim Rober Cheezic, there were also exams for black belts: Marcin Kostyra nr 1637 and Zbigniew Cywiński 1638

29 Octebr 2005 - Open All Tang Soo Do Championships 2005 - we got 32 medals!

4 March 2006 - III All Polish Tang Soo Do Tournament - Przysucha

1-2 April 2006 - 1st International Voievod Championships of Moldova in Chisinau


In Poland there is also another organization: World Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Federation and European Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation.

We keep on developing Tang Soo Do in Poland...!