Famous Faces | Horangi Tang Soo Do Association

Famouse people who studied Tang Soo Do

Grandmaster Norris began his martial arts study in Judo while serving as an MP at the Osan Air Base in Korea. After only two weeks of training he broke his shoulder in a fall on the mat. While walking through a local town a few nights later, he came upon a group of martial artists practicing outdoors and was amazed by their acrobatic skills. He asked his Judo instructor Mr. Ahn about it and was told it was an art called Tang Soo Do.

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Cynthia Rothrock

Rothrock was five-time World Champion in forms and weapons between 1981 and 1985. These categories are not combat-oriented, being displays of fluidity of movement rather than fighting, and are therefore not segregated into male and female categories but fully open to both sexes. She took first place in forms 32 times and first place in weapons 12 times in her first 38 tournaments, including competing in "Men's Forms" three out of four times as there was no Women's Division.

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The Osmonds

Originally brought in to help butch up the family band's dance moves, Chuck Norris (he of no chin, only another fist) also became The Osmonds' instructor in Tang Soo Do. Imagine the Osmonds cleaning up the streets... why has that never been made into a movie?

Steve McQueen

Bruce Lee is often credited with having taught Steve McQueen Jeet Kune Do, but McQueen was actually trained in the Korean art of Tang Soo Do by 9th degree blackbelt Pat E. Johnson. Apparently McQueen was not one to be messed with—unless you wanted to be peeled like a banana. Though he refused to test for his belt, those who were around at the time say he'd easily rank at the 3rd degree black belt level.

Pricilla Presley

Pricilla was introduced to Tang Soo Do by Elvis who introduced her to Chuck Norris.

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