The heart of self-defence

The Wits Dojang had three representatives at the championships.

Heart was a pioneer in the development of Combat TSD – a South African variant of TSD which concentrates on practical self-defence techniques. He proved to be a treasure trove of knowledge on this martial art.

He explained that the modern variant of Tang So Do was born out of the ashes of World War II when a Korean by the name of Wong Ki found the Muyo Dobo Tonge, an 18th century text which detailed ancient empty-hand martial arts techniques. He adapted these techniques under strict suppression of Korean culture during the Japanese occupied regime of the mid to late 40s.

While exiled in China, Ki borrowed elements of Tai Chi and it was out of this melting pot of Japanese-Chinese-Korean influence that modern Tang So Do was born.

American soldiers went to Korea during the 60s Cold War and took TSD back to the States with them. Practitioners such as Chuck Norris spread the art around the States, and eventually the fighting style moved around the world and made its way to Africa.

Heart explained that TSD kicked off in South Africa during the late 80s under the instruction of Grandmaster Edward Jacobson. Jacobson had travelled around the US and studied under Jaejoon Kim, a Grandmaster who had immigrated to America from Korea.

South African Tang So Do has developed an adaptation known as Combat TSD, which is an independent arm of the greater Tang So Do movement that takes the basic principles of the martial art and adapts them to the challenges of the modern world.

Weapons are added to the fighting arsenal, and boxing elements are also included, with greater emphasis placed on practical self-defence that can be utilised to disarm and seriously harm an opponent.

“Learning martial arts means that you will never be at a loss [when you need to defend yourself],” enthused Heart.

“The discipline learned through engaging with martial art gives confidence and a heightened sense of awareness.”