TKA goals and objectives
Our goal is to:
- offer the finest martial arts instruction from beginner to advanced black belt levels.
- teach traditional martial arts using modern learning theory & techniques.
- help students develop strength, flexibility, coordination, and physical fitness
- encourage a sense of self-confidence, responsibility, and respect for self and others.
Two to three thousand TKA members attend approximately eighty classes per week.
Students can:
- obtain black belt ranks.
- participate in tournament competition at intramural and national levels.
- receive instruction in traditional weapons.
- attend seminars in other martial arts.
- instruct underbelt students.
- improve physical condition.
| Tournaments |
Karate
Karate is a philosophy of fighting or martial art developed over centuries to strengthen character and physical conditioning. Although karate in practice teaches the ability to focus power and physical strength in a blow of the hand or foot, in today's combat, unarmed fighting is no match against a gun or even bow and arrow. Karate's deeper purpose is to develop character and confidence.The Ryukyu Islands plays an important role in the development of karate as practiced today. In 1609, all Ryukyu weapons were banned after the Shimazu clan from Kyushu, Japan, conquered the Ryukyus. Left weaponless, the inhabitants developed a system for hand-to hand combat from which evolved advanced techniques which would be advantageous in any un-armed conflict and characteristic of Okinawa-te (te meaning hand). Gichin Funakoshi introduced Okinawa karate into Japan in 1923. When initially introduced to Japan, the word karate was written using the characters for T'ang-period China (kara) and hand (te). This was changed to the characters for empty (kara) and hand (te).Development of Martial Arts in Korea
Early Korea was divided into three kingdoms, Koguryo, Paekche and Silla. Warriors trained in head, elbow and foot techniques for combat. The Silla kingdom became known for its development of the martial arts incorporating hand techniques and creation of the Hwa Rang (flowering youth) warrior and Hwa Rang Do, or the "way of the flowering manhood." Boys from aristocrat families were chosen to learn and train to become Hwa Rang warriors. The Silla Dynasty united the three kingdoms in 668 A.D. Following the fall of Silla was the Koryo dynasty (918 - 1392 A.D.) and the popularity of the martial arts continued. The Yi revolt and establishment of the Yi dynasty (1392-1910) resulted in suppression of all martial arts and the imprisonment of many famous warriors, marking the decline of martial arts in Korea. The Japanese occupation of Korea (1909 - 1945) further restricted the practice and teaching of the martial arts. This restriction was lifted after World War II and several martial arts training schools were erected:
- Moo Duk Kwan, by Hwang Kee
- Chi Do Kwan by Kwai Byung, Yon
- Chung Do Kwan, by Duk Sung, Son
- Song Moo Kwan, by Byung Jik, No
- Chang Moo Kwan, by Nam Suk, Lee
- Yun Moo Kwan, by Sang Sup, Chun
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Tang Soo Do
The word "Tang" refers to the T'ang Dynasty of China, "Soo" means hand and "Do" means "the way of." Tang Soo Do, or "Way of the Chinese Hand", is a relatively recent art combining two ancient martial arts. In 1936 at the age of 21, Hwang Kee was already recognized as an expert in the art of Soo Bak Do, a kicking style. In that year, Master Kee fled the Japanese occupational force in Korea which prohibited the study of traditional martial arts and he traveled to China to study martial arts. In China he studied the hand fighting style of the T'ang system. Kee combined the kicking style of Soo Bak Do with the hand techniques of the T'ang system and returned to Korea after the end of World War II. On November 9, 1945, Master Kee organized the "Korean Soo Bak Do Association."
After the Korean War, an effort was made to unify the various martial art styles in Korea and in 1965 the various systems were united to form the "Korean Tae Kwon Do Association." Tae Kwon Do became a Korean national sport with international tournaments and world games. Many practitioners and schools joined and only a few Tang Soo Do schools maintain their separate identity. Hwang Kee continues as head of the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation with practitioners worldwide. In Grand Master Kee's own words: "It is not a sport. Though it is not essentially competitive, it has great combat applications. It is a classical martial art, and its purpose is to develop every aspect of the self, in order to create a mature personality who totally integrates his intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This total integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner."
In the U.S., the most influential instructor in Tang Soo Do is Chuck Norris who has trained numerous black belts and has influenced the development of Tang Soo Do in America through his schools, movies and public appearances.
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Dale Tompkins and TKA
Mr. Dale Tompkins, Founder and President of TKA, is a graduate of Montgomery College and the University of Maryland. He holds a Master of Arts in Physical Education. He was a Physical Education Specialist in the Montgomery County School System and is currently Adjunct Professor of the Martial Arts program at Montgomery College. Mr. T is the Associate Chairman of the World Martial Arts Federation. He currently holds the rank of 5th degree black belt in Se Gye Jun Ye Sool Hue and 6th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.
Mr. T began his martial arts training in 1962 as a college student when he met a Dick Kern, who was teaching karate in Washington, D.C. Mr. T followed Kern to (Kee Hwang) Kim's studio. Under Kern's instruction, Mr. T was promoted to black belt in 1964 and became a black belt instructor. He has been a Master Instructor since 1968.
Mr. T's teaching style is a casual one, completely different from the traditional Korean approach. He is a strong advocate of "get down off your pedestal" approach which is based on his background as an educator. His focus is to teach the average guy. TKA was established in 1965, and was the first studio at that time to teach children under the age of 14. The original name, TKA, stood for "Tang Soo Do Karate Association" and, coincidentally, also for "Tompkins Karate Association." As the number of martial arts studios in the area increased TKA became more commonly identified with "Tompkins Karate Association" to distinguish it from other martial arts studios with similar titles. TKA is unusal in that black belt promotions do not depend entirely on the Founder/Director/President, but rather on the decision reached by a panel of advanced degree black belt judges.
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TKA Sponsored Events
Black belt exam
- For first and second degree black belt, held twice a year in February and in August at the Summer Karate Clinic.
- A preliminary black belt exam is given in January and Monday evening at the Summer Karate Clinic.
- Candidates must successfully pass the preliminary exam to qualify to take the full black belt exam.
- Candidates should declare their intention to take the black belt exam about 6 months prior to the exam.
Underbelt exam
- Underbelt exams are given four times a year: November, February and June at various locations throughout the area.
- Underbelt exams are also given on Friday at the Summer Karate Clinic in August.
- Underbelt exams are also given at the day camp for youth and evening camp for adults.
- For exam schedules, select "EXAMS" from the above menu. See instructor for more information.
Intramural Tournament
- Participation required to test for blue belt rank.
- Held twice a year: December and early Spring.
- Open to all TKA students.
- Three divisions: Youth, Adult and Black Belt.
- Underbelt divisions are subdivided by belt rank.
- Categories of competition are kata, fighting, one-step/jujitsu
- Trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd; ribbons for 4th, 5th, 6th.
- Judges are black belt and advanced brown belt students.
Eastern Regional Karate Championship (ERKC)
- National tournament sponsored by TKA.
- Held once a year in Spring.
- Participation at a national tournament required to test for brown belt rank.
- Divisions divided by age and belt rank.
- Categories of competition include kata, fighting, one-step, weapons, breaking.
- Competition held Saturday at Montgomery College.
- Friday evening used for set up.
- Ring directors are recruited to help - 14 years to 16 years and older.
- Black belt judges.
Summer Karate Clinic (TKA students only)
- Overnight camp sponsored by TKA.
- Held in Blue Ridge Mountains (Blue Ridge Academy)
- Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning.
- Sleeping accomodations: Dormatories (Bring linens).
- Cafeteria style food.
- Three workouts each day.
- Weapons classes available.
- Black belt exam Thursday evening.
- Underbelt promotional exams Friday afternoon.
Day Camp (Youth)
- Held during school break at Christmas break and first two weeks at the beginning of summer break.
- 2 1/2 hours in the morning for 4 to 5 days per week.
- Underbelt promotional exam on last day.
Evening Camp (Adult)
- Held during school break at Christmas break.
- 2 1/2 hours in the evening for 4 days per week.
- Underbelt promotional exam on last day.
Martial Arts Seminars
- On occasion, TKA will sponsor a seminar by an experienced martial artist.
- Recent past seminars have been given by Bob Maxwell (footwork, fighting, jujitsu); Dick Kern (Iaido); Clyde Takaguchi (Aikido); Dennis Brown.
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