CARTHAGE, SD — A chance encounter at a Dunkin Donuts in New York between a Tang Soo Do grandmaster and an eager South Dakota man wanting to learn the art has brought the rich tradition of Korean karate to the small town of Carthage.

Thanks to this chance meeting, Carthage was now able to host the state’s first San Kil Tang Soo Do event, led by Grandmaster David Sgro. Sgro, whose career has included coaching Team USA at several international competitions, brought over 50 years of experience to the local Tang Soo Do community.

Before that, there was no widespread practice of martial arts in Carthage, which had a population of only 130,000 according to the 2022 U.S. Census.

The event took place on Monday, August 19th and was organized by Patrick Burger. Burger is a native New Yorker and his journey into martial arts began when his mother enrolled him in a karate program.

“I wasn’t a sporty kid,” Burger said. “I rode horses and was active, but I wasn’t interested in team sports. The place I enrolled at had karate in the name, but they taught Tang Soo Do.”

After moving to Carthage as an adult, Burger was eager to resume his Tang Soo Do training but had difficulty finding a local teacher. After discovering Grandmaster David Sgro online, he sent a friend request on Facebook. Coincidentally, both were in New York at the same time and met in person. This chance encounter led Sgro to agree to train Burger remotely, conducting weekly or bi-weekly sessions for two years.

Burger’s training with Sgro reignited his passion and confidence. After a short period of working together, he felt empowered to introduce the art to others and establish a Tang Soo Do program in his community. Burger is now the director of Western Branch Martial Arts, a Madison-based program that offers Tang Soo Do instruction.

“I wanted to bring the art to South Dakota because there was no one teaching it in the area,” Burger explained. “After moving from New York, I realized the need for a martial arts program that was both serious and family friendly.”

Tang Soo Do, often referred to as Korean Karate, is a martial art that combines elements from several different styles, including high and flying kicks from the Korean tradition and softer, circular movements from Kung Fu. It was popularized in the United States by American soldiers who learned it while stationed in Korea. In particular, Chuck Norris, a famous martial artist, helped popularize Tang Soo Do by opening training studios across the country.

Classes at Western Branch Martial Arts are designed for a wide audience, offering Tang Soo Do instruction for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. At the Carthage Community Center and Madison Auditorium, Burger offers classes for a variety of skill levels and age groups, including a special program for younger students called Tiger Team TSD.

The core of the WBMA philosophy is inclusivity and personal growth.

“What I love about Tang Soo Do is how it builds confidence,” said Matthew Finke of Madison. “The kids usually really come out of their shells. It gives them a sense of discipline and self-control. A lot of people think martial arts is just about learning how to fight and stuff, but it’s much more than that. It’s more of a life system.”

Carthage’s classes are open courses that allow students of different levels to train together, creating a supportive community where beginners and advanced students can learn from each other.

“The heart and soul of our program is open learning,” Burger explained. “Students learn side by side, fostering a community of mutual growth and mutual support.”

Jennifer Leither/Mitchell Republic

The first two hours of Monday’s event were dedicated to a seminar where participants had the opportunity to learn and perfect various techniques under the guidance of Sgro. The last hour was reserved for testing, a crucial component for martial artists aspiring to a higher rank.

“In order to officially test students and promote them to new belt levels, a black belt is required,” said Burger.

In South Dakota, where there are few black belt examiners, this opportunity was especially valuable.

“Since there are none in the state, graduates only receive a provisional belt at their graduation ceremonies. Grand Master Sgro’s visit allowed those present to convert their provisional ranks into official ones,” Burger said.

Burger typically evaluates his students every three to four months. Last night, all 15 students moved up in rank. In Tang Soo Do, the ranking system is known as the Gup system. Students start with white belts and work their way through the colors yellow, orange, green, red, and finally black. Each color belt also has variations, such as yellow with a white stripe and yellow with a black stripe, to indicate different levels of proficiency within that color.

“We cannot promote people just for the sake of promotion. In the industry, this is often referred to as ‘McDojo,’ where rank is essentially sold,” Sgro said. “This approach lacks integrity and is simply not right.”

With approximately ten students at each location, Burger’s program is constantly growing and offers opportunities for personal development and community involvement.

“It’s not just about the techniques,” Burger emphasized. “It’s about building character and helping students come out of their shells.”

This philosophy resonates with people like Guy English of White, South Dakota. He started karate as a child to defend himself and build his confidence after being repeatedly bullied at school. After a 25-year hiatus, he has returned to martial arts and now trains taekwondo and jiu jitsu in Brookings. After discovering WMBA in Madison, English began incorporating Tang Soo Do into his training regimen.

English’s current focus is not on improving his martial arts, but on achieving a black belt and personal development. Although he has earned his black belt in other martial arts, he has not yet achieved that rank in Tang Soo Do.

“It’s challenging,” said English. “Every test is different. You’re out of your element every time.”

As the evening drew to a close, the excitement and pride in the room were palpable.

“The school looked good,” said Sgro. “The students were strong. The quality here is good. I am proud.”

Burger and Sgro have developed a routine for Sgro to visit twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This arrangement provides students with two opportunities to advance in their official ranks.