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Grandmaster John St. James
9th Dan
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Kwan Jang Nim John St.
James is the founder and president of the
Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation, whose headquarters are
located just outside Atlanta, Georgia. He is a 9th Degree Black Belt
with 50 years training experience. He is also the Co-Chairman
of the Asia Atlantic Alliance, a Tang Soo Do alliance of like minded
organizations with schools throughout the world.
He
began his martial arts and leadership training when he was 13 years
old. He earned his Black Belt from Grandmaster Young Kook Kwon
before graduation from high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When he was 18, he became certified as an instructor and started his
teaching career under the tutelage of Grandmaster Young Hyuk Kwon in
San Diego, California where he later started his first school while
attending the University of California. Kwan Jang Nim St. James attained
his Bachelors Degree in Political Science in 1984 and later a
Graduate Degree in Insurance and Risk Management from the American
Institute in 1986.
In addition to
being an expert in Tang Soo Do, he is considered an
expert in personal development and peak performance training. He has
been featured in MA Success Magazine, MA Professional, Tae Kwon Do
Times Magazine, EFC Eagle Express, Business Master Publications, and
has also been recognized in Black Belt Magazine for coaching the
current World Record Board Breaking Champion.
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Kwan Jang Nim St. James
holds a brown belt in Shotokan Karate (1975), a 2nd
Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do (1983), and a 4th Degree
Black Belt in Hapkido (2003). He is well versed in advanced pressure
point manipulation and is certified as an instructor in Quick
Defense by the American Self Defense Association in Belton, Texas.
He is also a past Board Member of the World Tang Soo Do Association
where he served as both the Director of Finance and Business and a
Regional Director for many years. He received his
Masters rank and Senior Masters rank from Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin
while a member of the World Tang Soo Do Association.
Kwan Jang Nim St. James is
considered by his peers to be an expert in traditional Korean,
Chinese, and Okinawan weaponry with an emphasis on the Bong or
staff. He is well versed in the sword, cane, nunchaku, tonfa, short
sticks, dagger, and spear to name a few. He personally enjoys empty
hand forms the most and can often be heard telling his students that
the foundation of all martial arts starts with a Black Belt Leader
and Champions mindset. It is then demonstrated in all our actions
and strengthened with a great command of the fundamental basics
which can be learned by constantly practicing traditional hyung or
forms.
Kwan Jang Nim St. James
has also directly trained several World Champions and directed two
first place World Competition Teams while with the WTSDA. He
currently coaches a world record holder and has many competition
wins and one Grand Championship under his belt. His true love is
spreading Tang Soo Do by developing top quality instructors/school
owners and helping them to learn, grow, and share our art.
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