Western Pacific Tang Soo Do

In 1958, Grand Master Mariano Estioko began his training in Tang Soo Do in Korea while stationed there while in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Osan Air base, Grand Master Estioko became interested in Tang Soo Do after he saw a group of young men practicing. Grand Master Estioko asked about what they were doing and asked if he could join in. He was told, “No” and to go away. But what Grand Master Estioko saw that day intrigued him and he returned day after day and was rebuffed day after day. His effort didn’t go unnoticed as one of the Black Belts noticed that he always came back.

Grand Master Estioko was accepted as a student by Master Kim, Song Ki. Training was hard and rigorous. Mistakes were rewarded with a stinging whack from his teacher’s bamboo stick. Mistakes soon became few and far between. After almost a year, Master Kim, Song Ki sent Grand Master Estioko to Seoul to begin his advanced training under Master Oh, Sae Joon at the Seoul YMCA. Grand Master Estioko completed his training there and in October, 1959 he was awarded his Black Belt. Grand Master Estioko was the second American to ever be awarded a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do.

Grand Master Estioko was also discharged in 1959 and returned to the United States, back to Sacramento, California. In December 1959, Grand Master Estioko began teaching Tang Soo Do to a select few. Grand Master Estioko has been teaching his art ever since. Because of the growth of his organization, in 1985 he founded the Western Pacific Tang Soo Do Association. At that same time his senior Black Belt students honored him by bestowing Grand Master Estioko with the recognition and title of Grand Master of the Western Pacific Tang Soo Do Association.

- Western Pacific Tang Soo Do