Who's Who in Tang Soo Do

 


Master Michael Shintaku
8th Dan
Pin # 14463


 

 

Master Shintaku began his training in Tang Soo Do in 1966 at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Grandmaster Mariano Estioko (# 759), earning his Cho Dan in 1970. In 1976 he relocated to Seattle, Washington but didn't begin teaching Tang Soo Do until 1978 when he founded the Seattle Tang Soo Do Association. In 1980, Master Shintaku, then a Tang Soo Do 3rd Degree Black Belt, began training in Shito-Ryu, a Japanese style of karate, receiving a 1st Degree Black Belt in 1982.

From 1982 to 1984 Master Shintaku was teaching the Shito-Ryu style of karate. In 1984 he returned to teaching Tang Soo Do. He was promoted to 4th Degree at that time and then in 1994, to 5th Degree. Ten years later, in 2004, during Grandmaster Song Ki Kim's visit to the United States, Grandmaster Kim promoted Master Shintaku to 7th Degree. On July 27th, 2012, Master Shintaku was presented his 8th Dan.

Master Shintaku has been a successful karate competitor in California, the Pacific Northwest, and nationally, and has competed in full contact and AAU competitions. He has won many awards in both fighting and forms competition and is recognized as one of the outstanding tournament officials in the country.

Master Shintaku promoted the USA National Karate Classic, one of the premier Karate Tournaments in the Northwest. He has appeared on the cover of Karate Illustrated Magazine, has been featured in Tae Kwon Do Times and Black Belt magazines and is listed in "Who's Who in the Martial Arts".

The Seattle Tang Soo Do Association was founded in 1978 by Master Michael J. Shintaku two years after he relocated to Seattle from Sacramento, California. In 1982, the Seattle Tang Soo Do Association was dissolved when Master Shintaku joined the Japan Karate Federation by earning a 1st degree black belt in Shito-Ryu Ryobukai, a Japanese style of karate. He began teaching Shito-Ryu under the Japan Karate Federation through Highline Parks in Burien and the Boeing Employee's Karate Association. Two years later he left the Japan Karate Federation and re-established his school, teaching Tang Soo Do.
 

 

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