As part of our National Event in Virginia Beach, students and instructors from various schools were crossed ranked by the United States Goodwill Tang Soo Do Association and the World Dang Soo Do Union. This is a great opportunity provided through a membership in the USGTSDA challenging students to test their courage and to demonstrate their skills to instructors from other school and states.

Students receiving cross rank on June 30, 2012, were from multiple schools in the USGTSDA family:

On March 11, a long-time dream came true for Watertown resident and martial arts student Gail Capolupo.

After a decade of hard work, sweat and fearless determination, Mrs. Capolupo, 56, was promoted  to the rank of Sa Bom Nim or fourth-degree master in Tang Soo Do. The ceremony took place at the Tang Soo Do Masters Alliance Spring Interclub tournament, where Ms. Capolupo received her belt and recognition from her long-time instructor, Sixth-Degree Master Garth Charland of Charland Karate and Fitness, who trained her from the rank of white belt.

On January 9, 2010 a black belt exam was held at Browns Karate in Franconia, VA.  The following students were promoted:

James Henderson, 4th dan
Todd Tupper, 3rd dan
Tony Esteve, 2nd dan
Roger Webb, 1st dan

Brown's Karate was founded by Master Barry Brown who earned his first degree black belt in 1972 and subsequent belts culminating in his 8th degree in 2004. For over 25 years he taught at Roberts Karate in Springfield, VA, before the school closed at the end of 2005. He began his training in Pennsylvania in the Japanese Shotokan style, but upon moving to the DC area in the late 1960s, switched to the Korean Tang Soo Do style. His 40 years of practicing and teaching karate render him a very effective teacher.

Mike Bogdanski's Martial Arts, located in Putnam, has promoted two more students to the rank of first degree Black Belt.  Michelle Lengyel and Lynne Coutu were recently promoted by Master Bogdanski and Master Duethorn in the martial art of Tang Soo Do.

Congratulations to them both from the USGTSDA!

The Tang Soo Do Masters Alliance headquartered in Watertown, CT completed it's Fall Shim Sa (Dan Classing) on November 7, 2009.  As part of the testing all of the Dan members in attendance demonstrate hyungs and other technical aspects of the art.  A portion of the testing is closed to spectators.  The open portion occurs on the final day during their demonstration for friends and family. Congratulations to the following students who promoted as a result of their efforts during the Shim Sa.

Kristin Duethorn, 40, of Pomfret recently was promoted to fourth-degree Black Belt (a Master Instructor) in Tang-Soo Do by seventh-degree Black Belt Mike Bogdanski. Duethorn is the co-owner of Mike Bogdanski’s Martial Arts Center in Putnam, CT. Several martial arts Masters attended the graduation while Duethorn demonstrated elements of karate, Jiu Jutsu, kickboxing, board-breaking and weaponry.

Background: Duethorn has a husband, Mark, and two sons, Colin, 15, and Kyle, 13. She is a former English teacher who worked at Woodstock Academy and Hyde School of Woodstock. She has been involved in martial arts for 11 years. She was program director and lead instructor at the martial arts school before becoming co-owner.

Martial Arts Center: The school is designed to be an achievement center that teaches modern self-defense and life-skills, such as goal-setting, a commitment to attitude of constant personal improvement and the possession of an indomitable spirit. For information about the school, go to www.martialart-skills.com.

Quotable: “(Martial arts) has helped me so much with my health and confidence and learning about life and how people work. It took me by surprise. It’s not all about punching and kicking. It’s one of the most transformational experiences I can think of.”