2004 NATSD Federation International Championships

In October of this past year, the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation (APTSDF) held its first-ever International Tang Soo Do Championships at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. Federation and affiliate masters, black belts, and color belts from as far as Australia came to Orlando for three days of learning, competition, and celebration. The event was a tremendous success and everyone enjoyed the entire weekend. Events included a senior masters clinic and testing, a general clinic for all members, the Championships, a formal banquet, and a pool and pizza party to celebrate all the victories.

With over eighty divisions there was plenty of fierce competition in all ranks and categories. One of the highlights of the competition was a special demonstration performance put on by competing teams that demonstrated both the creative and the technical aspects of the Korean martial arts. Some of the standout teams were South Australian Tang Soo Do Academy, Karate World, Coker’s Tang Soo Do, Busby’s Tang Soo Do, The Karate Center, Alabama Karate Academy, and Allison’s Hapkido America. When it was all said and done, everyone was a winner, which was a pleasant change from the usual fare that pervades most competitions. The two big winners or overall Grand Champions were crowned at the end of the second day. They were Mr. Patrick Stevens, Sam Dan representing Karate World of Suwanee, Georgia (USA), and Ms. Juanita Karaan, E Dan representing Busby’s Tang Soo Do of Bogalusa, Louisiana. Congratulations to all the champions!

The following leadership was in attendance and shared both their knowledge and time throughout the entire weekend. They included the weekend’s host Head Master John St. James who is President and Founding Master of the APTSDF, as well as Chief Master Stephen G. Washington (Asia Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation), Senior Master Phillip J. Bartolacci (United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation), Senior Master Carole Coker, Senior Master Kevin Case, and Master Stacy Busby (Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation), Head Master James K. Allison (International Sun Moo Kwan Hapkido Federation) Master Omar Khalid (Universal Tang Soo Do Alliance), Head Master Warren Adams (United States Jung Do Kwan Federation), and all the other US Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Masters that were in attendance.

The APTSD Federation is the sister organization of the Asia Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation who will be having their next National Championships in March of 2005 in Darwin, the Northern Territory of Australia. We hope to see all of our affiliate brothers and sisters in March down under!!!