The first style of martial Art that I trained in was Tang Soo Do. I was introduced to this system in 1965. My school friend at the time was the son of my instructor. I was enrolled because of my friendship. The cost for lessons unlimited in the mid 60’s was $15.00 a month. My instructor was Sa Bom Nim Raymond Soon.
I trained at the academy six days a week and would attend competitions on Sundays. I kept this routine up for five years. I was awarded my Black Belt in 1970, at the age of 12, in this system, at that time, a dark Blue Belt represented a Black for this style.
Chuck Norris made this system popular in U.S.A. in the early 1960’s and was known in tournaments for his spinning back hook kick. Many of the spin kicking techniques that Bruce Lee used in his films comes from this style. Chuck Norris was a friend, student and training partner of the late Bruce Lee. He once told me that when they first met, they talk for hours about the martal arts and the different styles of kicking. Bruce Lee already had in his method of fighting (Jeet Kune Do), kicking technique’s from Northen Style Gung Fu but added in the kicking style’s of Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do.