PU KANG TANG SOO DO
The Michigan State Karate Club was founded in 1962 by Mr. Jongoon Kim who instructed the students in Pu Kang Tang Soo Do. The literal translation of Pu Kang Tang Soo Do (pronounced PUE KUNG TONGUE SUE DOE) is the Northern Diamond Chinese Fist Way, or colloquially, the Northern Diamond Chinese way of the Fist. This MSU Karate Club is one of the oldest continuously operated Kara
te clubs in the country. Thousands of students have been introduced to the martial arts during the last 50 years of the clubs operation. MORE ABOUT THE FOUNDER:
Mr. Kim began the study of the martial arts as a child in Korea. His father was a Master instructor in both Kendo and Judo, and provided instruction to Mr. Kim in both of these disciplines. Kim received the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt in 1960 and as a result of his skills in Judo, Mr. Kim competed on behalf of Korea in the Olympics, where he placed 3rd in his class. Following Mr. Kim’s competition in the Olympics, he was invited to join the faculty of Michigan State University (MSU) and in 1962 he started the MSU Judo Club. His extensive credentials include being an 8th Dan Black Belt in Judo, Olympic Judo judge on 2 occasions, AAU Official, and Tenured College Professor in Martial Arts. He also started the Michigan State University Tae Kwon Do Club and currently holds the rank of 9th Dan in Tae Kwon Do. Kim has taught literally thousands of students Judo, and the Martial arts, over
his career on the MSU faculty. He established 4 separate Pu Kang Tang Soo Do Schools during the 1960’s alone. Kim’s efforts include making martial arts training available as an accredited college study course. Kim is currently retired from the MSU faculty but still makes his presence felt. CLUB HISTORY:
Ranking senior black belts formed the Pu Kang Tang Soo Do Association, including Mr. Kim, Bob Parsons, Jim Ferguson, Little John Flowers, Jack Porter, Art Campbell and Bruce Henderson. At that time, there were clubs at MSU, Central Michigan, Ferris State, Lansing Community College, Flint, and Monroe. Historically the style contained 21 at total of forms, instead of the current 7. The forms were all unique in nature and stressed different aspects of Martial Arts. The Association was formed to standardize promotion requirements and testing procedures for all ranks. Testing was held twice a year and rotated among the various club locations. During this time period Bruce Henderson at MSU wrote the “Yellow Book” of Karate basics. Standardized testing was introduced for all ranks. A tournament circuit was established and lasted until costs and liability concerns stopped it in the early 2000’s. Thousands of students have been exposed to the martial arts as a result of The Pu Kang Tang Soo Do Association’s existence. Pu Kang Black belts have literally spread around the world. Pu Kang has and is being taught as a college course by black belts on 3 Michigan College campuses, on the University of Utah campus, college campuses in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and California. Black Belts from MSU have taught Pu Kang in the Mid East, Asia, South America, and as part of the military, and private enterprise in several other parts of the world. The students who have received this instruction are college professors, engineers, soldiers, teachers, veterinarians, doctors, and on and on. All of these students have one thing in common, a tradition of training excellence, and a desire that the tradition continue in the future.
