Head Instructor

Master William J. Kehoe 5th Degree Black Belt Master Kehoe began his martial arts training in Rocky Mount, NC in 1990. He has been teaching Tang Soo Do since 1993 to students of all ages. Master Kehoe has competed in numerous competitions across the country and overseas and has won awards and trophies while competing in forms, weapons, sparring and breaking. Master Kehoe has been inducted into the US National Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2003 in Dayton, Ohio as Tang Soo Do's Man of the Year. Master Kehoe is best known for his advanced breaking abilities, which include such materials as cast aluminum water meter covers, airplane propellers, cast iron pump handles and cast iron frying pans. Most recently, Master Kehoe traveled to Cardiff Wales and competed in the 2011 International Tournament, the largest all Tang Soo Do tornament in the world. Master Kehoe completed for World Champion in Extreme Breaking and came in 1st Place... TANG SOO!!!

Mrs. Karen Kehoe 3rd Degree Black Belt Mrs. Karen Kehoe has trained in Tang Soo Do for over 17 years and has earned a 3rd degree black belt. Mrs. Kehoe specializes in teaching women's self-defense and children's safety awareness classes.

Mr. Marcus Shealy 3rd Degree Black Belt Mr. Marcus Shealy began his training in Tang Soo Do in August of 2001. He is an accomplished competitor winning multiple championships in forms, breaking and sparring. Mr. Shealy specializes in sparring drills, cardio technique, stretching and flexibilty. Mr. Shealy has a vast knowledge of Korean Karate.

 The History Of Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do is an ancient Korean martial art that dates back almost 2,000 years to the T’ang Dynasty in China. “Tang Soo Do” literally translated means “Way of the hand of Tang.”

The style of Tang So Do being taught is “Moo Duk Kwan.” Grandmaster Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan style of Tang Soo Do in 1945. His intention was to spread, prosper and create a greater understanding of Soo Bahk Do (now called Tang Soo Do).

Japan occupied Korea in 1909 and the Korean people were forbidden to practice any form of martial art. In 1936; at age 23, Grandmaster Hwang Kee went to China to study their arts. At that time, he was a well-known Soo Bahk Do master. After 9 years in exile, Grandmaster Hwang Kee returned to Korea to spread the art of Tang Soo Do.

The American Tang Soo Do Association
And
Grandmaster Richard Byrne

Since the late 1950's, U.S. Servicemen who had earned Black Belts in Tang Soo Do while serving in Korea returned to the United States and Tang Soo Do began to expand to serve the interests and needs of the American public. Many American organizations were established in attempts to unify Tang Soo Do here in the United States. One such organization was the non-profit American Tang Soo Do Association chartered in Massachusetts in 1973 under the direction of Richard Byrne. Foreseeing the future popularity of Tang Soo Do in the U.S, the American Tang Soo Do Association was aimed at sponsoring tournaments, clinics, etc., with qualified directors and furthering the development of Tang Soo Do techniques through research.

On March 8th, 1997, after years of Tang Soo Do instructors across the country approaching Master Byrne to seek advice, leadership and instruction, the decision was made to make the American Tang Soo Do Association a national organization. It's goal is to bring high standards and ideals to it's members while charging reasonable rates and fees and to meet the needs of Tang Soo Do instructors across the country.

After School registration begins August 1st for the 2011-2012 school year! See Mrs. Kehoe for details!

Our after school martial arts program offers all of the benefits of a traditional after school facility plus the added benefits of martial arts discipline and training.

Students will have access to a large common room for homework and social activities. Additional age specific rooms are available for children’s activities.

We offer free pick-up from Wilson area schools, homework assistance, adult supervision, martial arts lessons and fun activities.