2014 World Championship Celebration!

 

 

 

 

WTSDA celebrated its 15th World Championship this past July 18-20 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Our own high-flying TSDKI competition team joined up with over 1500 competitors, thousands more WTSDA family members, and many masters for an amazing three day experience at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. As you might imagine international competition was spirited and fierce. This biannual event welcomed teams from Europe, Great Britain, the Caribbean, Central America,  South America,  Africa, Mexico, and across the USA. All bringing their best skills and character for a shot at gold and glory. Proudly our 10 Member TSDKI team took away several top honors and created many new friendships.  The medal count included 7 Gold, 2 Silver, 8 Bronze in forms, weapons and sparring. Congratulations!   Our team also enjoyed a visit and tour of the WTSDA World Headquarters in Burlington, N.C.. There they attended an emotional dedication ceremony at the recently completed Meditation Garden where WTSDA founder, the late Grandmaster J.C. Shin is now laid to rest. 

 

Now it's back to school and time to get back to training. Looking forward to seeing YOU back in class. New students, family and friends are always welcomed to participate in our free trial classes.
Tang Soo!

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JOIN OUR TEAM!!

Share with family and friends this very special and limited time offer. Tang Soo!!

A NEW MASTER IS KNIGHTED

Congratulations to Tang Soo Do Karate Institute's newly promoted Master Leslie Salinas D'Ercole. She, along with seven other 4th DAN Instructors, was presented the coveted 4th DAN Masters rank at the recent WTSDA Masters Clinic held at the University of Northern Alabama in Florence, Al., USA. Her achievement is the result that spans more than 21 years of training in the martial arts throughout her native country of Chile and the United States.

A demanding and no nonsense training attitude had gained Master Leslie numerous competition trophies and grand championship titles through the years. To attain an invitation to the WTSDA Masters Clinic one must be selected by legendary Grandmaster Jae C. Shin, president of the

World Tang Soo Do Association. Only Third Degree Black Belts with high achievements and impeccable training record requirements are invited as master candidates. The annual Masters Clinic is typically attended by more than one hundred ranking masters and candidates from around the world. Her intensity during her first year attending the clinic in 2009, had actually won her the admirable recognition of the "Masters Sprit Award". After several years of the master's training process she was officially presented and ceremonially knighted as 4th DAN Master.

Master Leslie's strict approach to training also extends to her teaching and has influenced her many students. As a result during her eleven years living in the United States, many more females have been encouraged to train in the martial arts. Master Leslie is an extraordinary martial artist and a true example that hard work, passion and dedication achieves excellence. We salute your accomplishment. Tang Soo!!

Master Larry D'Ercole

Little Dragons Rock!

Great progress and spirit demonstrated by our youngest Tang Soo Do Warriors yesterday!! Congratulations on your new rank promotions everyone...Tang Soo!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR OF THE DRAGON!!

Greetings TSDKI members, family & friends:

We hope everyone is off to a great start for 2012 and fulfilled with the good fortune, power and pasion of the Dragon. It is now the time to pursue your goals and dreams which lay ahead. And yes, January is already gone so please be advised and save the dates for the first 10 scheduled school activities of the year!!

1. Saturday, Feb. 4th Our monthly Regional Black Belt Class starts at 1:00pm. This will be our 2nd Annual 100 Hyungs Challenge. All DAN members and Cho DAN Bo are to attend.
Ocean Air Recreation Center 4770 Fairport Way San Diego, CA. 93130.
Driving Directions: From the 5 or the 805: exit LOCAL BYPASS, Carmel Mountain Road go East, 3rd light, go right (Carmel Mountain Road), Left at E. Ocean Air. If you wish to follow or carpool. We will leave from the studio at 12:10pm.

2. Saturday February 4th Adult Class will be held at 8:00am. There will be no 12:15pm adult class due to the scheduled Regional Black Belt Class.

3. Thursday February 8th Tiny Tiger/Little Dragon Testing 4:45pm. Eligible students will be notified by their instructor.

4. Saturday, February 11th
Gup Testing 2:00pm. Eligible students will be notified by their instructor.

5. SUNDAY February 26th
Family & Friends BIKE HIKE on San Diego's BAYSHORE BIKEWAY!!
All students, families and friends are invited to join us for a fun, scenic, and easy bike hike along one of San Diego's beautiful bike paths. Check your equipment, inflate your tires, pack a snack, and meet at the starting point (TSDKI Studio) on Sunday, February 26th. This trail is a great place for a slow, scenic ride, or a fast training ride. The trail is very safe and has a clean surface, plus there are great views. Trail users can use restrooms and lunch tables at Silver Strand State Park which has direct access to the trail.
- 11:30am Begin at the TSDKI Studio
- Enter bike path via Otay Valley Regional Park entrance located two blocks south of Main Street on Hollister St.
- Travel along Bayshore Bikeway to Silver Strand State Park Beach (access beach through tunnel)
- Refreshment and special training activity is scheduled at the beach.
- Return to studio.
- BAYSHORE BIKEWAY MAP: http://www.sandag.org/uploads/projectid/projectid_63_13218.pdf

6. March 22-25. The 23rd WTSDA Annual MASTERS' CLINIC

7. April 13-15 Fri-Sun Region 20 Clinic for Red, Blue, and Black Belts at YMCA Camp Marston (near Julian, CA).See Information posted at the studio.

8. Saturday, May 5th Regional DAN testing San Diego.

9. May 19th 10th Battle Of LA Championship (Open Tang Soo Do Championship). Los Angeles. Details forthcoming.

10. XIV World Championship July 20-22 - Greensboro, North Carolina. Invitation and Application are attached. The 2012 World Championship promises to be our organizations' largest and most important event yet. Thousands from across the globe will attend to be part this prestigious event marked by our WTSDA's 30th anniversary as well as the long anticipated grand opening of our new world headquarters in nearby Burlington, North Carolina. In addition to the international competition, a world-class picnic is planned for Sunday after the event on site at the new headquarters. The WTSDA world championships are held every two years and are clearly a unique experience in celebration and competition. We do have information on group travel rates and we are compiling a list of families interested in attending. If you are interested please add your name to the World Championship signup list at the studio. You won't want to miss it!!

See you in class!
Masters Larry & Leslie D'Ercole

MILESTONES

Wow! A new year, a new decade, and already a month into it. The time is Now! ...make the most of every moment and achieve your goals!

We ushered in January with our first regional Black Belt class of 2011 at the Chula Vista dojang. Over fifty Masters, DANS and Cho DAN Bo packed the studio to bring in yet another new year (our 34th) with a traditional black belt workout, including an intense Hyung (forms) session. The shoulder-to-shoulder training brought our ever growing TSD family even closer together.



The January 8th black belt class also celebrated new DAN promotions from around the region. Awarded from TSDKI were; Brandon Nordengreen ChoDAN, Jason Ferber ChoDAN, Alejandro Sarmiento ChoDAN, Jeremy Bunag ChoDAN, and Anica Bunag ChoDAN. Parents of the newly promoted Black Belts proudly witnessed their child’s outstanding achievement resulting from an average of five years of martial arts training. As unconditional supporters the parents partnered in the DAN presentation ceremony by surprising their children with a new trimmed uniform to accompany their newly awarded belt and rank. Congratulations and welcome to the WTSDA Black Belt Society!

Continuing on January 27th our studio’s young Tigers and Dragons celebrated their own rank promotion ceremony. For some it was their very first testing and promotion making it an extra special experience. On the 29th a junior GUP examination was held and a fresh new crop of Orange belts sprouted, several transforming from Dragons to GUPS. Way to go Karate Kids!

2011 will continue to be a special year for TSDKI filled with both indoor and outdoor events including the annual Region 20 Championship to be held here in Chula Vista, California on September 25th. In the meantime let’s continue the momentum and remain motivated! Get to class and bring your best attitude. Share your spirit and lend us your enthusiasm for learning and growing. Don’t be wishing for success. Let's be a success!

Master Larry & SBN Leslie Dercole
Tang Soo!!

CHRISTMAS PARTY!!

Dear Tang Soo Do Karate Family and friends,
You are all invited to our end of the year celebration!!
This time we will be sharing the fun of a Wii party. Ask for more details to your Instructors and save the date for Friday, December 17th...Tang Soo!!

ALL FIRED UP!! 2010 World Championship

Just returning from the July 16-17th WTSDA world championship in Greensboro, N.C. and WOW! -- A Tang Soo Do city of over 1600 competitors (probably 5000 with friends and family members) gathered under the broiling mid-summer heat thick with humidity and enthusiasm. They came from England, Germany, Argentina, Netherlands, Mexico, Chile, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Puerto Rico, Mozambique, Aruba, Hawaii, Alaska, and every part of the continental USA. This would mark our Associations 13th biannual world championship and held for the first time in North Carolina near the site of our future WTSDA Headquarters in Burlington.
Our TSDKI Chula Vista team spanned the ranks from Tiny Tiger to Sam DAN black belt and included Alexis Stoke, Mae Stoke, Kevin Stoke, Erik Stoke, Neale McPheron, Angelo Dercole, Giordano Dercole, Gianina Dercole, Barbara Bellini, Sig Luther and of course Master Larry & Leslie Dercole.

Our team arrived well prepared winning and placing in many of their respective competition categories. We collected four gold, nine silver, and four bronze medals. Congratulations!
The event is a family affair and a collective effort of senior members helping and guiding juniors. Awards of Master-of-the-year as well as Studio, Instructor, and Family-of-the-year were recognized during opening ceremonies of the three day celebration. TSDKI instructors Sig Luther and Barbara Bellini took charge of the popular building fund raffle booth where hundreds of gifts donated by studios are collected and then raffled off. $6,500.00 was proudly raised for the cause.Instructor Leslie Dercole stood the honorable post as official Spanish translator MC for various speeches including the Grandmaster's opening address.

A very significant and historical feature of the event's opening ceremony was the promotion of our Grand Master J, C. Shin's to 9th DAN. This is the highest rank attainable in the Tang Soo Do system and was uniquely presented by proclamation and in front of a parade of more than 100 masters in a very emotional and ceremonial fashion. Robert Beaudoin, the association's General Secretary was also promoted to 8th DAN-assistant Grandmaster.
Equally amazing was the next day's WTSDA family picnic of approximately 800 held on the grounds of the future headquarters in Burlington, NC. There Grandmaster Shin unveiled the proposed building sketch billboard and spoke of a general construction plan.We hope someday you and your family can attend a world championship and share in the unique gathering and celebration. Until then we can plan for our own Regional Championship scheduled for this October 9th at Caltech University's Brown Gym in Pasadena, CA. There you can meet Our Grandmaster in person during his visit to our region.

Tang Soo!!

Master Larry Dercole

Visit or add Tang Soo Do Karate as friend on facebook for additional World Championship photos

The KARATE KID BUDDY WEEK !!

Attention TSDKI students!!
We are very excited of the new upcoming Movie 'The KARATE KID" and are planning a special Buddy Week Event to introduce your friends to the awesome world of martial arts. May 19th thru May 26th.
Everyone (students and buddies) who participate in this special event will receive free movie tickets for a special advance screening of the KARATE KID Movie. There will also be daily raffle drawings for the KARATE KID movie t-shirts and posters at each class. Now go find a friend to invite him/her to your class and share the best KARATE KID spirit on the training floor.Tang Soo!!

Master Larry & Leslie D'Ercole

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!

Greetings TSDKI families and friends. Welcome to 2010!!

We hope everybody enjoyed their holiday season and are now energized with exciting resolutions and renewed determination to reach higher as we step forward into a brand new decade. The New Year promises to be both exciting and meaningful for our studio and Association. Looking ahead to a few of upcoming events, we are pleased to announce the Yu Dan Ja promotions of three new Black Belts; Amanda Masumoto, Alexis Stoke, and Efren Roman. A special graduation ceremony will take place during our Regional Black Belt class scheduled for February 6th.

In March, masters and master candidates from around the world, will join Grand Master Shin in Alabama for the annual Master’s Camp.

The 2010 World Championship is scheduled for July 16-17 in Greensboro, North Carolina. We are encouraging all to attend and experience this historic event as Grandmaster Shin will be promoted by the WTSDA membership to the highest rank achievable in TSD, 9th DAN. Additionally, we will be activating our TSDKI Demo team once again to prepare and show our pride at this World Championship event.

Tune up your bicycles! A Tang Soo family Bike Hike is planned to coincide with our studio's 33rd anniversary in the early October. These are a few of the exciting activities planned with many more stuffed in between.

Let's march forward together to conquer our goals, celebrate success, and share our Tang Soo Do Spirit.

Dedicated to Excellence, Inspired by you...Tang Soo!!

Master Larry D'Ercole & BSBN Leslie D'Ercole

WTSDA HISTORICAL EVENT!!

Once again TSDKI is pleased, proud and excited to be part of World Tang Soo Do history as members across the continents proclaim the promotion of our Grand Master Shin to 9th DAN. All registered WTSDA members are invited to participate by affixing their signatures to the proclamation document declaring Grand Master Shin as 9th DAN, the highest attainable rank in traditional martial arts. This will be an extraordinary opportunity and an honor like no other.

We are planning to begin the proclamation signing for our members at the next GUP testing dates – Friday, Nov. 20th & Saturday, Nov. 21st. The actual Promotion Ceremony will take place at the opening festivities of the 2010 World Championship event scheduled for July 16-17 in Greensboro, North Carolina. We encourage all members to attend and witness this once in a lifetime experience.

Tang Soo!!

Happy Veterans Day!

TSDKI recognizes their SENIOR student and VETERAN, Joe Bella. Joe, (72) served as a navy diver during the Vietnam era and the final stages of the Korean War. He was a former TSDKI student 20+ years ago and now has returned to continue his Tang Soo Do journey. Thank you for your service and happy Veterans Day!!

Tang Soo!!

Celebrating Tang Soo Do Karate Institute's 32nd Anniversary

Greetings and happy October TSDKI Team, Families, and Friends:
October is recognized as our Studio's Anniversary month and 2009 marks our 32nd year here at the same location. It seems like only yesterday but in hindsight we have had thousands of families that have trained here at this site for over three decades now. To celebrate we are planning a good old fashioned Anniversary/Halloween Party/Potluck. The celebration will take place at the studio on Saturday evening October 24th starting at 6:00pm with games, music, food, and a performance of our 2009 Demo Team. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume and bring some yummy dish to share (potluck). Friends, family, and of course any members from the past are all invited.

"Embracing the tradition of spirit, the discipline of dedication, and the art of achievement"
--- Master Larry D'Ercole

Summer Beach Classes

It's Tang Soo Summer Time!

Please take note of our beach class schedule.
All classes will be meet by the Imperial Beach Pier.

Line up 8:00am - concludes 9:30am.

Wear dobohk pants, belt, tennis shoes, and our school T-shirt.

Bring your weapons and water bottle!!

Black Belt and Cho Dan Bo

June 27th - July 18th - August 8th

GUP Students

July 11th - August 1st - September 5th

Tang Soo!!
Master Larry Dercole & BSBN Leslie Dercole

Leslie Salinas D'Ercole Master Candidate

Instructor Leslie Salinas D'Ercole has recently returned from the 20th WTSDA's Masters Camp, a four day training and testing program held in Florence, Alabama led by grandmaster Jae C. Shin. She became one of a very select group to receive the camp invitation from the Grandmaster identifying her as an official candidate for the masters rank. Joined with 135 other candidates and masters from around the world, instructor Leslie shared in numerous lectures and training sessions offered by many of our talented WTSDA masters. Being no stranger to intensity, Leslie arrive at camp prepared for the exhausting demands but was soon humbled to become part of and interacting with the masters and candidates group. She just was herself expressing her passion for Tang Soo Do and desire of becoming the best leader she possibly can. At the camp graduation ceremony Leslie was presented the prestigious "Masters Camp Spirit Award" in recognition of her exemplary Tang Soo Do spirit. When asked how she felt about the award, Leslie replied, "I have been honored for life". All of us at Tang Soo Do Karate Institute are equally honored and proud of her very special accomplishment. Tang Soo!

Master Larry Dercole
6th Dan

Valentine's Day Beach Class!

Dear Tang Soo Do members:

On Saturday, February 14th TSDKI students will celebrate Valentine's Day by showing their love and friendship to nature with a morning beach class at Imperial Beach!!

Our special Valentine's Day class begins at 9:00am with line up formation next to the I.B. Pier. Class ends by noon.

Arrive with your dobohk, tennis shoes, staff (bong), sword (jang gum). Bring water and a snack. !!!

TANG SOO SPIRIT!!

Master Larry & BSBN Leslie D'Ercole

Honor & Recognition

December 13th will be remembered as a day of honor and recognition as TSDKI concluded the year by proudly announcing the studio's most recent Black Belt Promotions.

Barbara Bellini, a dedicated student, great competitor, and a true role model received her SAM DAN (3rd degree) rank as her family stood by. Barbara has served as an assistant instructor throughout the year and was awarded title as the Women's Senior Grand Champion at our recent Region 20 Championship last October in Chula Vista, CA. She has also celebrated 1st and 2nd place wins at the 2008 World Championship held this past summer in Orlando, FL. Tang Soo!


Mario Gonzalez, an example of the word commitment and genuinely demonstrating the spirit of perseverance received his CHO DAN (1st degree) in ceremonious fashion while his family proudly looked on.
Tang Soo!






Erik Berumen, embodies the speed and power of a young man. His strong desire and steadfast focus on goals, requirements, and understanding have manifested to the level of Yu Dan Ja. Erik was awarded his CHO DAN (1st degree) with resounding applause. Tang Soo!



Best wishes on this, their new beginning, and as Grandmaster Shin reminds us, "A True Martial Artist Wears Their Belt Not Only Around Their Waist But Around Their Hearts". We look forward to their continued success and bringing pride to their instructors, studio, and to our entire family of the World Tang Soo Do Association.

Master Larry & Leslie D'Ercole

Spirit+Skill+Effort=Achievement!

Congratulations to our most recent GUP promotions.
December 13th Testing Group I (White-Green Belts)
FOCUS: A Key to Success.

Efrain Perez annihilates his target during his power and accuracy requirement.


Adrian Ballesteros, Allyson Masumoto, Arahi Espinoza, Danielle Ferber, Mariana Parra, Christopher Corning, Israel Ochoa, Andres Espinoza, Alberto Ballesteros, Sulema Barajas, Jaelen Cruz, Jesus Mayoral, Erfain Perez, Denisse Mayoral, Marina Ballesteros, Angelee Ferber, Natalia Xibille, Adriana Xibille, Paula Robison, Veronica, Ochoa, Mae Stoke.


December 13th Testing Group II (Brown Red Belts)

Angelo D'Ercole, Melissa Avila, Isabel Molina, Amanda Masumoto, Anica Bunag, Juzenne Cruz, Alexis Stoke, Jason Ferber, Brandon Nordengreen, Erick Morales, Jose Figueroa, Andrew Lona, Alejandro Perez, Oscar Franco, Andres Gonzalez, Alejandro Sarmiento, Eric Berumen, Jeremy Bunag, Oscar Pineda, Adrian Cervantes, Mario Gonzalez.

After-School Program Donates $1000.00

Another successful after-school karate program has been completed. This one was at the Greg Rogers Elementary school (upper photo) in Chula Vista, CA. The six week session offered classes weekly with 25 participants and 5 dedicated assistants - Jeremy Bunag, Anica Bunag, Alexis Stoke, Allyson Masumoto and Amanda Masumoto. The program generated $1000.00 that was donated to the Greg Rogers School.


The Wolf Canyon Elementary School (lower photo) involved 24 students with 3 dedicated assistants - Andres Espinoza, Arahi Espinoza, and Angelo D'Ercole. This program generated a $600.00 donation for the Wolf Canyon School.

Tang Soo!

TESTING CYCLE

For all Tiny Tigers and Little Dragons students:

Friday, November 21st at 5:00PM

Only for recommended Gup students:

Saturday, December 13th with schedule as follows:

White to Green belts at 11:00 AM

Brown to Red belts at 2:00 PM

"Reaching the Edge of Excellence"

Tang Soo!