press release:

Master Steven Elmore and 9 students from Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy in West Seattle recently attended The World Tang Soo Do Association's World Championships held in Greensboro, NC, USA. Over 1,600 competitors vied for medals at the WTSDA's 14th Championships event, held every two years. Representatives from 34 different countries from around the globe gathered for the tournament.

This year's Championship had a somber tone and a very special meaning to all WTSDA members. On the 9th of July 2012, the Association lost its founder, Grandmaster Jae C. Shin, to an extended illness.

With heavy hearts, the Championship got underway on Friday July 20th with creativity and black belt divisions. Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy's very own Tamela Thomas was the Senior Female Black Belt World Champion by winning gold medals in weapons, forms, and free fighting. This was her 3rd consecutive world title but her first in the black belt division.

Day two of the event began at 9am on July 21st with opening ceremonies, senior master rank promotions, and colored belt divisions. Many of the senior masters spoke through tears about the relationship they had with our late Grandmaster Shin over the years, and many made a vow to continue their loyalty to the organization Grandmaster Shin had dedicated his life to - the WTSDA.

The event concluded on July 22nd with the historical grand opening of the new World Headquarters of the WTSDA in nearby Burlington, NC. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, a memorial service for Grandmaster Shin was held with thousands of students and families attending.