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About the
ATKI
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Master David Schmitt
6th Dan
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In 1966 Master David J Schmitt began his training
in the art of Tang Soo Do while stationed with the 4th Army at Fort
Sam Houston, Texas. By 1967, he was assigned as an assistant hand
to hand combat instructor for special forces troops.
In 1970 Master Schmitt opened
the first martial arts school in Dubuque, IA and the University
of Wisconsin-Platteville Karate Club.
In 1975, he founded the American
Tang Soo Do Karate Institute (ATKI). This
new organization was, and still is, a unique organization that sets
one of the highest standards of any martial arts organization. For
a Black Belt to open an ATKI branch school, they must be trained
from white belt to black belt in an ATKI branch school. No
other martial arts schools may join the ATKI.
In 1990, the board of directors and advisors made up of all ATKI
Black Belts voted to allow the ATKI to join the World Tang Soo Do
Association.
The purpose in joining
the WTSDA
was to enable Master Schmitt to continue his training under the
instruction of Grand Master J.C. Shin. Having reached the level
of 5th Degree Black Belt, it would be necessary for Master Schmitt
to train under a Grand Master tocontinue his learning in the art
of Tang Soo Do. The World Tang Soo Do Association currently has
over 80,000 members training in Tang Soo Do in 33 countries. Master
Schmitt is one of the ten highest ranking masters in the WTSDA today
In 1991, Master Schmitt was
promoted to the level of Regional Director of the World Tang Soo
Do Association and is responsible for the promotion of all black
belts in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and
Nebraska.
In 1993, he was selected
by Grandmaster Shin to represent the World Tang Soo Do Association
as a United States Delegate and a member of the 1993 WTSDA China
Exhibition team. The team consisted of six members to accompany
Grandmaster Shin to Korea and China on a 15 day martial arts tour.
One of Master Schmitt's highlights was their visit to the Shaolin
Temple where the team performed for the Shaolin fighting monks,
and had the honor of watching the monks perform for them.
Master Schmitt was recognized
at the 2000 World Tang Soo Do Championship in Anaheim, CA for achieving
6th dan. He is now one of six sixth degree black belts in the WTSDA
world wide.
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