Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan
Grandmaster Charles Ferraro
Kwan Jhang Nim:
Grandmaster C. Ferraro, 9th Degree Blackbelt (9th Dan) began his training as a boy in 1967. He took part in the art not for fighting or self-defense (the study of the martial arts wasn't a popular activity back then), but because he was infatuated with watching local blackbelts working out with each other. The first time, he recalls, was "Like watching an eagle soaring high on the wind currents". The instructor's movements were graceful but all so powerful. The technique which was quite visibly effective seemed so effortless. All the eyes of the practitioners were steady, confident, and peaceful.
Tang Soo Do has always been Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro's first love. Having studied many martial arts over the years Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro continues to train and teach Tang Soo Do to this very day. He began studying with Sa Bom Nim H.C. Hwang (son of Grandmaster Hwang Kee of the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Fed.), in November 1976 and continued to train with him until November of 1995. Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro currently trains under Kwan Jhang Nim Andy Ah Po who is the founder of the Tang Soo Do Moo Do Way Association. Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro is greatly indebted to both of these respected teachers for helping him become the Tang Soo Do practitioner he is today. Through them he has learned to embrace the proper attitude and spirit that comprises the Tang Soo Do artform.
Grandmaster (Kwan Jhang Nim) Ferraro has studied many martial arts over the years:
Empty Hand: Tang Soo Do, Shoto Kan, Kempo, Goju Ryu, Juijitsu, Aikido, Kenjitsu, military combatitives, Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.
Weapons: Kali - Escrima - Arnis - Knife Fighting, Haidong Gumdo (Korean Sword, Samurang) - Wu Shu (broad sword, single and double dagger, shaolin spear, tai chi sword, tai chi fan, tai chi spear), Kobudo (Okinawan weapons - short and long staff, sai, kama, tonfa, nunchaku).
Chinese:Tai Chi Chuan
Coached Regional and National Tang Soo Do Practitioners To:
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Numerous National Team Sparring Championships (18 times from 1986 to 2007)
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Numerous National Team Form Championships (13 times from 1986 to 2007)
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Numerous 2nd place finishes in both team form and team sparring competitions (9 times from 1986 to 2007)
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Over 1000 individual national champions in weapons, empty hand forms and sparring. Over 50 individual international champions in weapons, empty hand forms and sparring,
Awards & Accomplishments:
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Frequent form and sparring competitor throughout the Eastern United States having won 11 Grand Championships in 8 states from 1971- 1976.
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Placed First, Second or Third in the blackbelt heavyweight sparring division each year in the U.S. Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) Moo Duk Kwan Federation National Championships from 1981 - 1986.
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Placed first in forms (Masters Division) at the U.S. Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) Moo Duk Kwan Fed. National Championships held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL - 1991
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National Tang Soo Do Sparring Champion; U.S. Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) Moo Duk Kwan Fed. National Championships - 1985, 1986
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U.S. Tang Soo Do National Team Member - 1986, 1989 (Watford, England, Seoul, Korea)
International Sparring Champion - Watford, England - 1986
From 1986 to present day his students have garnished over 1000 individual national first place championships, 50 individual first place international championships.
