Master Michael Porco, Sr. and Master Michael Porco, Jr. from Porco’s Karate Academy in Sandy Hook recently attended the 25th Masters’ Clinic held by the World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA) at the University of Northern Alabama in Florence, Alabama, USA under the leadership of Dr. Robert (Bob) Beaudoin, its current Grandmaster.
The World Tang Soo Do Assoc. is an international martial arts group representing thirty four countries with over 160,000 members world-wide. It held its first convention in November of 1982 hosted by its founder Grandmaster Jae C. Shin (1936-2012). Since that time the WTSDA has become a powerhouse in the world of martial arts.
A group of over two hundred masters and candidates from around the world spent four days of intense training and testing. The clinic begins on a Thursday evening with orientation and lectures.
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The next day begins at 6:00 a.m. with intense physical training and exercise and continues throughout the day until 5:00 p.m. After their evening meal, the group is then treated to lectures until 9:00 p.m. This schedule repeats itself on Saturday, and at 10:00 p.m. that evening candidates who are up for promotion are tested for their next rank. The exam is approximately a four hour physically demanding test of technique and endurance.
The candidates range from those testing for fourth degree on up to eighth degree in Black Belt. Sunday begins with morning meditation followed by a noon banquet.
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Old and new friendships are kindled between practitioners at this unique gathering of warriors. Goodbyes are expressed with hopes of seeing one another at the upcoming World Championship to be held at Greensboro, North Carolina this coming July.
The Masters’ Clinic was started by Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin back in 1989 with twenty seven masters from around the globe. It has prospered and grown to become a premier event in the world of martial arts.
Porco's Karate Academy is located at 113 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook (203-426-2427).
