World Tang Soo Do Association

The World Tang Soo Do Association is an international Korean martial arts association with more than 500 member studios, and over 100,000 members that reaches across 36 countries.
In 1968 Master Jae Chul Shin came to the United States of America as the U. S. representative for the Korean Tang Soo Do Association. He formed the U. S. Tang Soo Do Federation in Burlington, New Jersey in 1968. This traditional Korean Martial art was quickly accepted and soon grew in popularity throughout the World. The organization reformed to fit new demands internationally, and on November 13 and 14th, 1982, a charter convention of the World Tang Soo Do Association was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With the advent of the World Tang Soo Do Association, Tang Soo Do began a new era of development as a traditional martial art.
As of 1996, the new organization has grown at an outstanding rate to reach over 100,000 members in 36 countries; Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Guam, Netherlands, India, Italy, Mozambique, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.
The WTSDA recently found and purchased land for a new headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. Grandmaster Shin was officially recognized as achieving the rank of 9th degree by unanimous decision of all active WTSDA members in late 2009 . He will formally accept the rank in July 2010. He will promote Master Robert Beaudoin to 8th degree in July 2010.
Ranking System
The World Tang Soo Do Association has ten 10 gup ranks, ranks before black belt, as well as the apprentice black belt rank (Cho Dan Bo). In order from 10th gup to 1st gup the colors consist of White belt (10th gup), White belt with black stripe (9th gup), Orange belt (8th gup), Orange with white stripe (7th gup), Green belt (6th gup), Green with white stripe (5th gup), Brown belt (4th gup), Brown belt with white stripe (3rd gup), Red belt (2rd gup), Red belt with white stripe (1st gup), and blue belt, also known as Cho dan bo, meaning apprentice black belt. The testing cycles usually only occurs twice a year, in April and in September but will sometimes vary depending on studio preference and is first consulted with Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin. In order to test for black belt as a Cho dan bo, one must attend the black belt clinic held in June for the region. This is required to test. Also one must have a pre-test which consist of regular test cycles or tournaments. After passing the test for black belt, the student must go through a six month probation period until the next WTSDA public event, ex: clinic or tournament, in which time the master instructor will present the certification for 1st Dan black belt (Cho dan) or they could choose to receive their certificate at their dojang in front of family and frineds. After Cho dan, the testing period between higher degrees varies with the rank. The rank system reaches 9th degree black belt.

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