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Master and Student Master Steven Elmore instructs Tamela Thomas in a kick sequence at his Evergreen Tang Soo Do studio on California Avenue near the Admiral Junction. She and her son, Tug McDonald, 10, attend together and will travel to Orlando in July to compete in the 2008 Tang Soo Do World Championships. Photo by Steve Shay

Family Fights Keep Them Together

By Steve Shay

Friday, July 04, 2008

One of Steven Elmore's goals as Tang Soo Do master is to keep area families fighting together. He operates Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy on California Avenue, just south of the Admiral Junction, and prides himself in teaching the 2000 year-old Korean-based self-defense art both to kids and their moms and dads in the same classes.

OK, they don't actually kick each other under the master's watchful eye, but they seem to enjoy the shared learning experience. Some will be competing July 11 and 12 at the 2008 Tang Soo Do World Championships in Orlando.

"The biennial tournament attracts 2000 of Tang Soo Do's 100,000 members from 38 countries," said Elmore, a 4th degree Black Belt. "Our competitors are from age 4 to age 70. Our style of martial arts is very family oriented and this neighborhood in West Seattle is perfect to have that."

Elmore started his studio four years ago at the West Seattle YMCA, then moved to his current spot a year and a half ago.

"I'm going to have a blast," said Elmore's 10 year-old student, Tug McDonald, who will be competing in the tournament for the forth time. He attends nearby Tilden Elementary School. "We'll go to Disneyworld, too."

Said his mother, Tamela Thomas, who is also in Elmore's class, "It's such a precious time when kids are little, and so few things you can engage with them in. This class is special. He is a higher belt so I'm chasing him."

She has a red belt while he has a red/blue belt. But she said they don't plan to fight with each other at home. She explained, "The purpose of martial arts is to improve yourself, not go around beating people up."

Nine year-old Tang Soo Do student Julian Kral and McDonald are friends at Tilden, and at Evergreen. His mother, Janine, said that Elmore makes the class a place where families can thrive. The two mothers and sons plan to hang out together at the tournament and Disneyworld.

"Tamela and I started here at the same time, while watching our sons," said Kral.

Bruce Kuhn, 45, attends with his daughter, Jessica. He has studied martial arts for six years and has a large muscular build, especially when seen side by side with the younger competators. He said that while the kids sometimes look up to him, it's a two-way street. "I get my inspiration from the kids, too."

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