In June 2008 Kwan Jang Nim Andy Ah Po, the founder of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association, traveled to the UK at the invitation of his direct student, Master John Dove of the British Tang Soo Do Federation. Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po was accompanied by Master Steve Propst for this ten day festival of clinics and Dan assessments. 

Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po began his visit in Cornwall before traveling to Rugby in Warwickshire and then on to Manchester. He took the time to visit the famous landmark of St Michaels mount in West Cornwall and Shakespeare's birthplace in Warwickshire. During his previous visit (2007) he had taken the opportunity to soak up a little of the martial history of old England by touring both Warwick and Kenilworth castles.

Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po's 2008 clinics covered subjects as diverse 'Weh Gong, Neh Gong and Chung Ga Ryu breathing and their impact on the timing of hyung, defence against a knife attack for Dans and 'transition training' for empowering our modern student base to make the jump between the practice of basic techniques and free sparring.  

During his visit the Kwan Jang Nim taught twelve Master grade Instructors from no less than eight Tang Soo Do bodies; the British Tang Soo Do Federation, the Traditional Tang Soo Do Federation, Phoenix Tang Soo Do, World Traditional Tang Soo Do Federation, Tang Soo Do Ho Sin Sul, ATMA Tang Soo Do, Tang Soo Do North West and Tang Soo Do, In Sung Kwan.

The open ethos of meeting to gain knowledge and train as a united Tang Soo Do family was palpable at all of the clinics. New friendships were forged across Federations and old friends were reunited. The reception towards Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po's tutelage was both hungry and attentive, leaving the attendees on a real high and with a renewed sense of vigour and purpose.
A special thank you goes out to Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po and Master Propst for their considerable endeavour in making the long journey to the UK and for their agenda free teaching. A rare pleasure.
 

Manchester Masters