In late July and early August of 2016, a group of Saenghwal Hohup Kwan (Breath of Life School) Tang Soo Do Federation Instructors and Dan members from the U.K. and the U.S. made a journey to the High Tatras in Slovakia. The trip was arranged as a part of the 4^th Dan project for one of the group, Miss Martina Chovancova. Miss Chovancova originates from Slovakia where she trained in GoJu for twelve years before moving to Warwickshire, England where she has trained in Tang Soo Do under Master Dove for the past ten years. 

In addition to the chance to train in a beautiful location, the excursion offered the travelling party an opportunity to expose Slovakia to the Martial Art of Tang Soo Do, an art that previously was unknown in that Country.  

With that in mind, local martial artists were invited to join the group for an exchange of ideas and technique. It was our hope to build a little brotherhood in the process. Of the Slovakian Instructors invited to meet and train with the visiting party one in particular, Mr Michal Turcanik, expressed an interest in a continuing education in Tang Soo Do. This was an historic event, and the exchange left everyone enriched by the experience.  Not only were there great training sessions and exchanges of culture, there was a genuine spreading of respect and friendship that is in keeping with the concept of Grand Master Hwang Kee’s Project 2000.

Miss Chovancova performing Dan One Steps	Observing variation in technique

I am delighted to be able to report that as a direct result of these exchanges Mr. Turcanik has elected to open the first Tang Soo Do class in Slovakia. His actions benefit us all by continuing the international growth of our much loved Martial Art. Saenghwal Hohup Kwan Instructors will be returning to Slovakia in October.