Welcome to the Official Website of Grand Master Andy Ah Po and the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association, Inc.
Martial Way Association Newsletter Fall 2011
About Grand Master Ah Po
Grand Master Andy Ah Po is originally a native of the Hawaiian Islands where he began his martial arts training early in his youth. Prior to leaving the Islands in 1959, he studied Kung Fu, Jiu Jitsu, Aikido and Japanese Karate.
2012 marks Grand Master Ah Po's 65th year in the martial arts. He began studying Tang Soo Do in 1959, and is currently a 9th degree Black Belt in that system. Grand Master Ah Po is a Black Belt Hall of Fame Inductee of three different international martial arts organizations. In 2002 he founded the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association (formerly known as the Tang Soo Do Moo Do Kwan Association).
Grand Master Ah Po held several national and international championship titles during the 1960's and 70's. He is a world-renowned martial artist and has regularly conducted martial arts and personal development seminars and clinics all over the continental United States, Hawaii and in Europe and Australia.
Grand Master Ah Po resides in Sacramento, California, where he has owned and operated his own martial arts studio for over 40 years. His educational accomplishments have included an Associate of Arts degree in General Education, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Communications, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration. He has served on a number of state and federal community and martial arts advisory boards under California Governors Brown, Deukmajian, Wilson, and Davis, and under Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton.
For a more comprehensive bio of Grand Master Ah Po, go to the "About" section at the top of page.
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Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association
The Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association, Inc. (formerly known as the Tang Soo Do Moo Do Kwan Assoc., Inc.) which was formed in 2002 is a private, "for-profit" corporation that is incorporated under the laws of the State of California. The corporate office is presently located in Sacramento, California. The principle shareholder of the corporation is Grand Master Andy Ah Po.
The Association is comprised of certified Tang Soo Do Dan members and has an appointed five-member Board of Directors which functions primarily in an advisory capacity on issues involving member services, activities, and events. The business and administrative functions and activities of the corporation are handled directly by Grand Master Ah Po who is the Chief Executive Officer.
The Association is a martial arts organization that is dedicated to preserving and promoting the original techniques, principles, and philosophy of the martial art known as Tang Soo Do, as developed by its late founder, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee of Seoul, Korea. Only Dan members of the Association are required to pay membership fees. Gup (student) membership and testing fees are not required by the Association.
In addition to developing and making available Tang Soo Do curriculum of the highest quality and standards via personal instruction, training camps, clinics and seminars, written instructional material, videos, DVDs, and other high tech media, the association primarily provides Ko Dan Ja, Yu Dan Ja, Kyo-Sa and Sa-Bom testing and certification services to its members.
Other products and services available to members and studio owners include Gup certificates, Gup and Dan testing materials, and association patches and pins. The Association also sponsors local, national and international tournaments, training camps, and studio owner business seminars and participates in other activities and functions sponsored by other Tang Soo Do organizations whose founders are either current students of Grand Master Ah Po or who are directly affiliated with him.
Member studios are also able to participate in a special program offered by the association under a special agreement with an international martial arts supplier. Under this program, association studio owners are able to purchase, at highly competitive wholesale prices, regulation and fully trimmed Dan and Gup member uniforms with the association's patch and inscription (embroidered on the uniform) and embroidered Dan and Sa Bom belts, as well as other martial arts products.
The Association is a member-friendly organization (which does not charge any studio certification or membership fees) and will continue to actively explore providing additional services, consultation, and products that are deemed to be of value and benefit to its members. The association was originally formed by Grand Master Ah Po for his direct students and is not currently recruiting any new members. However, for information on arranging Guest Visitations or on how to acquire professional and instructional services and consultations from Grand Master Ah Po please refer to the Accessing Grand Master Ah Po section of this Website.
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