Transcript Slide 1

HISTORY AND FOUNDING OF
THE NATIONAL BLACK BELT
KARATE ASSOCIATION
The roots of the National Black Belt
Karate Association (NBBKA) as it is
known today, began in the 1940’s with
the founding of Tang Soo Do in Korea
by the late Grandmaster Hwang Kee.
Under him was the student
Grandmaster Kwon Ahn.
THE HONORABLE GRANDMASTER HWANG KEE
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Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee was born on November 9,
1914, in Jang Dan, Kyong Ki province where the DMZ
is currently located.
His father, Kwang Yong Hwan, had a dream in which
he saw the bright star (Sam Tae Song) before his son’s
birth.
He named his son “Tae Nam” which means “star boy.”
HWANG KEE
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Later his name was
changed to “Kee”.
His father was a
scholar who had
achieved a high level of
academic recognition
from the last King of
the Yi Dynasty, Ko
Jong.
HWANG KEE
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In May 1921 when young Hwang Kee was about seven
years old it was a time of a traditional holiday called
“Dan O”, which is the national May festival.
During that time he happened to visit his neighboring
village, where a variety of folk plays and festive
activities were held.
As he enjoyed seeing a variety of folk plays such as
Ssirum (traditional wrestling), archery, and road races
around the village, he happened to notice that some
trouble was developing.
HWANG KEE
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He saw a group of seven or eight young men arguing
with one man, and this argument soon progressed to
physical fighting.
The group of young men began to attempt to beat the
man.
The man was avoiding their attacks and countering
with various kicks to the group of young men.
Soon the group of young men fell one by one as a
result of the man’s strange moves.
HWANG KEE
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After the attack ended, some onlookers said, “That is
Tae Kyun,” and some said, “That is Sip Pal Ki,” as they
were departing.
Hwang Kee was so impressed by this man’s
performance that he decided to find out what his art
was about.
He followed the man at a distance and discovered
where he lived.
HWANG KEE
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In May 1936 he had the opportunity to meet a
Chinese master, Master Yang Kuk Jin, and to visit
Master Yang’s house with a friend, Park Hyo Pil, who
worked with him at the Jo Yang Station.
During this visit he learned that Master Yang was
teaching a handful of private students practicing a
Chinese martial art in his home.
He never lost his dream of learning the depth of the
martial arts following his experience when he was
seven years old.
GRANDMASTER KYONGWON AHN
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Grandmaster Ahn was
born in Seoul, Korea.
He began martial arts
training at age 12!
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Grandmaster Ahn has
trained more than
1000 black belts!
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He is international
renowned as a leader
in Taekwondo!
GRANDMASTER KYONGWON AHN
Many of Ahn’s students have received national
recognition in competition and international recognition
for their instructor and refereeing skills.
Ahn’s Student
GRANDMASTER KYONGWON AHN
.
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Grandmaster Ahn was invited to Cincinnati by Burkes
and Stanley.
The wife of Master Burkes at the time was an employee
of the U.S. Immigration Office, and with this advantage,
arrangements were made to bring Grandmaster Ahn to
Cincinnati.
Grandmaster Ahn resided with Master Burkes and his
family until permanent residence was established
GRANDMASTER KYONGWON AHN
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While on active duty with the U. S. Air Force in Seoul,
Korea, then Third Degree Black Belt Benjamin Burkes
was a student of Grandmaster Ahn.
Coinciding with the end of the Korean War was the
migration of Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do to the United
States.
UNIVERSITY KARATE ACADEMY
In 1965-66, Mr. Burkes along with then First Degree
Black Belt Maynard Stanley started a karate school
called the University Karate Academy on Jefferson
Avenue near the University of Cincinnati.
UNIVERSITY KARATE ACADEMY
Among the beginning students that first year were
three young men: Michael Posey, Joe Thompson, and
Charles Emery.
GM Thompson
(Deceased)
GM Posey
GM Emery
UNIVERSITY KARATE ACADEMY
On their heels in 1965, two more students arrived …
Ken Robinson
Bob Harris
ROCKDALE TEMPLE LOCATION
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A branch Tang Soo Do school at the Rockdale Temple was established in 1965
and was already the location of Master Eugene Field’s Kodokan Judo class.
Here, under the instruction of the late Grandmaster Stanley was the new
martial arts studio for Joe Thompson, Charles Emery and Kenneth Robinson
and Bob Harris while Michael Posey remained with Grand Master Ahn at the
Jefferson Street school.
Grandmaster Ahn later invited friends and relatives to the city. Soon
afterwards, Grandmaster Ahn assumed the business control of the University
Karate Academy. Grandmaster Ahn consequently co-founded the Ohio Tae
Kwon Do Association, therefore separating his martial arts relationship with
Grandmaster Hwang Kee and Tang Soo Do and with Burkes and Stanley.
Grandmaster Ahn’s last official rank in Tang Soo Do was sixth degree Black
Belt.
FORMATION OF THE NBBKA
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Michael Posey, Joe Thompson, Charles Emery and Ken Robinson each earned
their First Degree Black Belt at the turn of the decade. With these new standout black belt holders, the growth of Tang Soo Do in Cincinnati gained
tremendous momentum. Begun by the late Grandmaster Stanley and continued
by Grandmaster Emery and Grandmaster Thompson, the Avon Center became
the next Tang Soo Do martial arts studio.
Subsequently, Grandmaster Stanley opened a school at the Pleasant Ridge
Community Center, from which Grandmaster Robinson then branched off with
his own school in Lincoln Heights. At that time, Grandmaster Posey left the
Jefferson Street school to begin the karate school at The Seven Hills Findlay
Street Neighborhood House.
Grandmaster Posey also had the opportunity to train under Grandmaster Hwang
Kee when he visited the United States.
The National Black Belt Karate Association (NBBKA) was established in 1973.
FOUNDERS OF THE NBBKA
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There were nine founders which included the
following by their seniority: George Wharton,
Lamont Turner, Walter Fagan, Michael Posey, John
Johnson, Charles Emery, Joe Thompson, Ken
Robinson, and Robert Harris.
The first president of the association was Walter
Fagan, the second John Johnson, and third Michael
Posey.
GRANDMASTER STANLEY
Born 1936
Died 2001
GRANDMASTER POSEY
GRANDMASTER THOMPSON
Born 1936
Died 2010
GRANDMASTER EMERY
GRANDMASTER ROBINSON
GRANDMASTER HARRIS
NBBKA BLACK BELTS, JUNE 1999
NBBKA BLACK BELTS, 2003 REUNION