Tom Zarichansky began his martial arts training in North Huntingdon, PA under Master Pat Leach at the local C. S. Kim Karate branch in 1984. Only 10 years old at the time, Master Z as he is now known, showed exceptional physical skills. He tested for and earned his first degree black belt in 1990 at the International Tang Soo Do Federation Headquarters in Monroeville, PA. Taking time off to continue his education, he received his barber certificate from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through the following years Master Zarichansky worked as a personal trainer and also trained and competed as body builder in the Pittsburgh area. It was during this off time from Tang Soo Do that he began his training in other arts.

 

He returned to Tang Soo Do under Master Keith Sherbaugh at the American Moo Duk Kwan headquarters in 1998. During this time, he helped instruct classes for both adults and children and was the senior assistant instructor at the school. He was also in charge of conducting all the testing for the school under Master Sherbaugh’s supervision. While at the AMDKA, he attended numerous seminars on a variety of subjects from self-defense to tournament competition.

 

In a chance meeting at a tournament, Master Zarichansky introduced himself to Master Jack Pistella who was teaching at Chatham University at the time. Master Pistella remembered him from teaching a seminar at the AMDKA and the two exchanged phone numbers and e-mail addresses. When the AMDKA closed its doors, Master Zarichansky reached out to Master Pistella asking if he would be willing to help him continue with his training. They have been loyal student and teacher and close friends ever since.

 

In 2004 Master Zarichansky traveled to Tarzana, CA to test for 4^th Dan directly under Grandmaster Pak, Ho Sik. While there, he underwent an abbreviated version of the Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa consisting of three days of training, teaching, testing, and writing. In 2008 he was inducted into both the Action Martial Arts and World Karate Union Hall of Fames as Master of the Year for Tang Soo Do for his help in spreading Tang Soo Do through his conducting of seminars with Master Pistella. He currently accepts private students for both martial arts and fitness training.

 

In addition to Tang Soo Do, Master Zarichansky also holds a 4^th Dan in Hapkido under the World Independent Hapkido Federation. He also sits on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Hwa Rang World Tang Soo Do Federation for Shim Gong and is a member of the Board of Directors and a Master Tactical Instructor Trainer for Advanced Personal Protection.