Styles of Martial Arts:
A. Tang Soo Do is the primary art that we teach at the Hickory schools. Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art formed as Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do after WWII. Modern day Tang Soo Do is really an amalgamation of ancient Korean fighting skills, some Northern style Chinese Kung Fu, and Japanese/Okinawan Karate. It was never designed as a sport, although it can be effective in competition. Martial artists such as John Natividad, Chuck Norris, Michelle Kravs, Cynthia Rothrock, and Billy Blanks became some of the best tournament competitors in the world from their study of TSD. Tang Soo Do is an art form and a method of empty hand to hand combat. TSD practice is a balance of basic techniques, forms (hyungs), one-steps, free-sparring, self-defense against specific encounters, breaking (wood, cement and bricks), and in some schools, weapon use.

B. Sungja-do is a Korean phrase meaning the "winning way" or "way of the winner". This is an art or a combination of arts that Grandmaster George Petrotta developed through 45 years in the martial arts and multiple black belts in many different styles. The true focus of Sungja-do is practical self-defense. There are many many martial arts schools in America today. Estimates vary between 15 and 30 thousand schools. Among these schools you will tend to find that certain areas of the arts are focused upon and emphasized more than others. Some focus on forms, some on tourament point fighting, etc. In our Hickory schools we aim at a balanced approach, but if we emphasize any area more than another, it would be self-defense. We strive with the people in the ISA (International Sungja-do Association) to stress practical working self-defense. Techniques from many styles are used to develop our curriculum of Sungja-do and students may test for promotion seperate from their Tang Soo Do promotion tests.