A "Strong" Future for the WTSDA

Post date: Dec 08, 2014 12:20:6 AM

July 18-20, 2014 proved to be a historic weekend. Our 15th world championship was held in Greensboro, 

NC. Over 1500 competitors arrived in Greensboro from all over the U.S. and South America, as well as 

Europe, the Caribbean and Africa. Competitors greeted each other excitedly in anticipation of the weekend’s 

events. Each championship provides memories that will last a lifetime and this year was no exception, providing 

two major highlights, the dedication of the meditation garden at world headquarters and the promotion of Master 

William Strong to Pal Dan (8th Dan) Grandmaster.

Grandmaster Strong has over 50 years of martial arts training. He has a Ph.D. in geography and was the Chair 

of the Department of Geography at The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL. Though now retired, he 

accumulated many academic achievements throughout his career. He traveled the world while working for the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. He has authored chapters in Kwan Chang Nim Shin’s books and was the chair of the WTSDA Technical Advisory Committee for several years. 

Grandmaster Strong has been the host and director of the annual Master’s Clinic for 22 years. One of his Theses was titled: Perspectives on the Tao of Tang Soo Do. His research was to seek understanding of the major 

concept of Tang Soo Do, becoming one with nature. 

The historic weekend began Friday afternoon with the always exciting creativity competition. To the delight of the 

crowd, fifteen demo teams performed. At the conclusion of the Creativity competition things really began to heat up with the Black Belt divisions. Hyung, weapons and sparring divisions provided excitement into the evening. Pride, respect, humility highlight these events as competitors cheer for each other and offer encouragement and congratulations.

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