Tae Sun Kang
| Tae Sun Kang | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1962[1] South Korea |
| Other names | T. Kang |
| Citizenship | American |
| Teachers | Suh Chong Kang, Founder of Kuk Mu Kwan |
| Rank | 10th dan |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Martial artist |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 강태선 |
| Hanja | 姜泰宣 |
| RR | Gang Taeseon |
| MR | Kang T'aesŏn |
Tae Sun Kang (Korean: 강태선; born c. 1962) is a South Korean-born martial artist and author known for founding several prominent Taekwondo academies in the United States. Kang is a Grandmaster, awarded the 10th Dan Black Belt in 2020.
Early years in South Korea
[edit]Tae Sun Kang was born in South Korea to Hisoo Kang and Suh Chong Kang.[2] Kang started his martial arts training in 1967 under his father, who himself was awarded a 10th Dan Black Belt and the title of Great Grandmaster. His brothers are Grandmasters Ho-sun Kang[3] and Chung-Sun Kang.[2]
Career in United States
[edit]In 1969, Kang emigrated to the United States along with his family. Soon after arrival, Kang continued practicing Taekwondo at his father's newly established martial arts school, the New York Taekwondo Academy. In 1973, Kang received his 1st Dan Black Belt. By 1977, he was named Head Instructor of the New York Taekwondo Academy.[4] In 1982 he was appointed Vice-President of the American Black Belt Federation and Director of M.I.T. Taekwondo Program.[5] By 1986, he received his 7th Dan Black Belt.[4]
In 1989, Kang founded the Johns Hopkins Taekwondo Program, in Baltimore, Maryland.[6] A year later, he was declared the Director of the program. In 1992 he Founded the American Black Belt Association. He later became the president of the International Taekwondo Black Belt Association, which he and his brother Grandmaster Ho-Sun Kang operate.[3]
Between 1990 and 2002, Kang established several Taekwondo schools under the 'T. Kang Taekwondo' (TKT) brand in New York City, often teaching at these locations in-person.[7]
By 2004, he had been operating ten affiliated martial arts schools, including a branch in Puerto Rico.[7] In 2007, Actor Michael Imperioli cited Kang's instruction as a significant influence on his personal development.[8][9][10][11] He has been a long-time student of Kang, appearing in several of his later instructional media releases. Kang's father, Suh Chong Kang, promoted Kang to the rank of 10th Dan Black Belt on January 25, 2020.[12][13]
Kang was inducted into the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2024. After this induction, he was appointed Vice President of the organization.[4] Kang has individually promoted thousands of Black Belts.[14]
| Rank | Year | Awarding Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Dan Black Belt | 1973 | New York Taekwondo Academy |
| 7th Dan Black Belt | 1986 | — |
| 9th Dan Black Belt | 2007 | All American Tae Kwon Do Federation |
| 10th Dan Black Belt | 2020 | All American Tae Kwon Do Federation |
Works
[edit]Kang, Tae Sun (2006). Traditional Taekwondo Forms Vol 1 [DVD]. Screenstyle. Featuring Michael Imperioli.
Kang, Tae Sun (2006). Traditional Taekwondo Forms Vol 2 [DVD]. Screenstyle. Featuring Michael Imperioli.
Tae Kwon Do Times Issue #158, featuring Michael Imperioli & Tae Sun Kang - July 2007[15]
Tae Kwon Do Times Issue #208, featuring Tae Sun Kang & Je Wook Kim – November 2015[16]
Kang, Tae Sun (2017). Black Belt Fitness for Life: A 7-Week Plan to Achieve Lifelong Wellness. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0804849129. Foreword by actor Michael Imperioli.[17]
See also
[edit]- Sun Chong Kang - Kang's Teacher and Father
- List of Taekwondo Grandmasters - Kang can be found under: Other taekwondo systems
References
[edit]- ↑ "Gallery (Second photo's caption)". T. Kang Taekwondo. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- 1 2 Pagan, Michael (2022-02-01). "Grandmaster Suh Chong Kang 강서종 passes away at 92 Years Old". TaeKwonDo Times. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- 1 2 "Leadership". International taekwondo black belt association. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- 1 2 3 "Grandmaster Tae Sun Kang, VP". Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ "Grandmaster Kang". T. Kang Taekwondo. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ "People". Hopkins Taekwondo Club. 2017-12-11. Archived from the original on 2019-09-18. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- 1 2 "Students program builds respect and confidence". www.amny.com. 2004-10-21. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ The Associated Press (2007-01-29). "Imperioli credits martial arts for his new life". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ The Journal News 2007 01 29 Page 2, 2007, retrieved 2026-01-11
- ↑ News, Deseret (2007-01-29). "'Sopranos' actor credits turnaround to martial arts". Deseret News. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ Press, Associated (2007-01-29). "Imperioli honors godfather on screen, martial arts master in real life". KATU. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ Pagan, Michael (2022-02-03). "Great Grandmaster Suh Chong Kang (1929–2022)". TaeKwonDo Times. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ Press, Associated (2007-01-29). "See image". KATU. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ "Roslyn Times (See Page 2)". Issuu. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ↑ "Issue #158 - July 2007". TaeKwonDo Times. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ "Issue #208 - November 2015". TaeKwonDo Times. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ Tuttle Fall 2018 Rights Catalog (Page 25).