Tang Soo Do
Officially Tang Soo Do (당수도)
Korean striking martial art established 1945 by HWANG KEE (Moo Duk Kwan founder) — blends TRADITIONAL KOREAN kicking (taekkyeon, subak) with SHOTOKAN KARATE + NORTHERN CHINESE styles. Famous practitioner: CHUCK NORRIS (8th-degree black belt). Distinct from taekwondo — less sport-focused, more traditional forms + self-defence. Popular internationally through 1960s-70s.
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–2
Duration
~90 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇰🇷 South Korea
Estimated origin
Founded November 1945 by Hwang Kee in Seoul as Moo Duk Kwan; term Tang Soo Do popularised late 1950s; International Tang Soo Do Federation 1982.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Train + demonstrate martial art via forms (hyung), sparring (kyorugi), breaking (kyok pa), + self-defence (ho sin sool).
Rules
Basic rules
5 CODES OF TANG SOO DO — loyalty to country, obedience to parents, respect brothers, never retreat in battle, kill only with justice
Signature 5 codes ethical framework.
10 ARTICLES OF FAITH
Signature 10 articles.
FORMS (HYUNG) — foundational patterns including Kicho, Pyung Ahn (from Shotokan Heian), Naihanchi, Bassai, Chinto
Signature forms curriculum.
GUP (kup) rank belts 10→1 → DAN black belt 1→9
Standard rank system.
SPARRING under semi-contact or Olympic-style rules varies by federation
Standard sparring.
Scoring
Sparring: 1-3 points per clean scoring technique.
Win condition · Most points at end OR judges' decision in forms.
Equipment
Dobok (uniform, usually navy blue or white with black trim)
Traditional uniform.
Coloured belt indicating rank (gup then dan)
Standard belt system.
Sparring gear: gloves, foot pads, headgear, chest protector, mouth guard
Standard protective gear.
Terminology
- Dojang
- Training hall.
- Hyung
- Form (pattern of movements).
- Kyorugi
- Sparring.
- Kyok Pa
- Breaking (boards, bricks).
- Sabum
- Instructor (4th dan+).
Major competitions
WTSDA World Championships
quadrennial · Global · since 1982
USSDA Nationals
annual · USA · since 1990
Where it is played
Governing bodies
World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA)
Founded 1982 · Burlington, NJ, USA
International Tang Soo Do Federation (ITF)
Founded 1993 · USA
Moo Duk Kwan (original)
Founded 1945 · Seoul, Korea
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Hwang Kee (KR, founder)
- Chuck Norris (US, 8th-dan)
- Cynthia Rothrock (US, action movie star)
- H.C. Hwang (US, WTSDA founder + son of Hwang Kee)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Tang Soo Do— Wikipedia
- WTSDA official— WTSDA