Columbus Tang Soo Do Academy

I began training at Buckeye Tang Soo Do in October 2003 as an undergraduate student. I had trained previously in another martial art and found it to be more competition oriented which did not interest me. When I found Buckeye Tang Soo Do, I was reluctant at first to try it out thinking it would be the same type of situation I had left. After attending a few classes and meeting the instructors and club members, I knew I had found a place that fit my idea of training. Buckeye Tang Soo Do not only challenged me physically, but mentally as well. Turning out competitors was not the goal of the club, turning out students who had an in depth knowledge of their art and an ability to take in, interpret and make the training work for each person was. I graduated in 2005 and continued to train because I had made so many connections to the club members and I truly enjoyed the training. In May of 2007 I tested for the rank of Cho Dan and was awarded my official certificate and black belt at the 2007 Master’s Grand Extravaganza in October. During my time in the club I have attended many association, regional and club events; I served as treasurer during the 2004-2005 academic year; participated in the demonstration team every year since 2004; began the instructor in training program in 2006 and achieved black belt instructor status upon receiving my black belt in 2007. As a black belt member of the club I hope to have every opportunity to continue to learn from those senior to me and continue making myself and my school better. I am looking forward to gaining more teaching experience and being able to add my own thoughts into the mix.

Additionally, in autumn of 2005 I became an assistant instructor to Mr. Marker at the Columbus Tang Soo Do academy. It has been an honor to be a member of the school since its beginning and to have early opportunities for leadership. I have enjoyed working with groups of students variying in age from childhood to adulthood. Columbus Tang Soo Do Academy offers different situations and teaching opportunities from the group at Buckeye because of the structure of the student base. It is a wonderful feeling to see your students at testings and tournaments and to see how proud they are of their accomplishments and to know you helped them achieve their goals. It is also a great feeling to know that like Buckeye Tang Soo Do, the Columbus Tang Soo Do Academy is focused on providing martial arts training to people who are interested in the mental as well as the physical aspects of the art and developing a strong sense of accomplishment and leadership in its students.