News...... Master Bong Kang
wins Gold Medal at this years U.S. Open TaeKwon-Do Championships!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!
News Release
For
Release: Friday February 12,
2010
Broken Arrow Taekwondo Master Wins Gold Medal at 2010 US Open
After two silver medals in international competition this past year, a
Tulsa area Taekwondo master finally brings home the gold. Master Bong
Kang fought three bouts in one day with opponents from California,
Senegal and Germany to claim the top award in the heavyweight senior
division in Las Vegas, including another smashing knockout. This year’s
US Open drew competitors from 66 nations including 21 national teams and
many martial artists who competed in the Olympics.
“It means a lot for the Kang organization to stay on top of the
mountain. It is definitely a big feat. I owe it to God and my
friendships and my father and family,” said an exhausted Bong Kang
Thursday night.
Another twist to the story is that Bong’s student, won the silver medal
in the bantam weight category. 42 year old Jerry Smith of Broken Arrow
has been training with Bong for 17 years. After years of speed drills,
running bleachers, and hundreds of thousands of kicks in practice and
competition, both men have brought world attention to Tulsa and Broken
Arrow. 35 year old Bong said of his student and close friend, “We’re
good brothers. Jerry is my right hand man.”
VIDEO: See Master Bong Kang knock out
his opponent at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm81I7JczQM . Note: this is from
the 2009 US Open in Las Vegas.
The Kang family is famous in Taekwondo circles in Tulsa, the state of
Oklahoma, nationally and internationally. Bong’s father, Grand Master
Dong Won Kang, was inducted into the Taekwondo International Hall of
Fame last year.
Korean born Grand Master Dong Won Kang has taught Taekwondo in Tulsa
since 1971. Bong now operates the school in Broken Arrow, and his
brother, Sung Kang, operates the school in south Tulsa at 61st
and Mingo. Sung also won a national championship when he was only 16
years old. Among father and sons, they have trained thousands of black
belts and tens of thousands of Taekwondo students over almost four
decades. Bong and Sung Kang are 6th degree black belts.
Their father, Dong Won Kang, is a 9th degree black belt, the
highest rank obtainable while living.
Master Bong Kang conducts classes most evenings at his dojang (training
facility), 777 N. Redbud, Broken Arrow, (918) 251-4853. Master Bong
says, “Taekwondo teaches you about perseverance. You have to endure to
overcome. You have to overcome obstacles combined with developing
character that we try to teach. Learning to live with honor brings you
a very fulfilling life.”
Master Bong Kang credits his father who has been teaching him since he
was three years old. There are Kang branches in Tulsa, Broken Arrow,
Sapulpa and Springdale, Arkansas.
Previous competitions last year:
U.S. Open,
Master Bong Kang wins heavyweight silver medal.
150 countries
in attendance, international competition. Las Vegas February 12, 2009
U.S.
Nationals. Master Bong Kang again wins heavyweight silver medal.
Best in the
US. Austin, Texas. July 4, 2009
