Master Instructor Michael R. March

Recent traditional Tang Soo Do seminar hosted by Grand Master Chung Il Kim, 10th Dan (Pin #475). Several of our own Master Instructors, Instructors, Assistant Instructors and students attended this event. Master Floyd Soo, 5th Dan, is seated in the third row back, third from the left. To his right is brother Vince Soo, 4th Dan. Grand Master Chung Il Kim is seated in the middle of the picture (second person over on Master Floyd Soo’s left). Master Mike March is also seated in the third row, the second person to Grand Master Kim’s left. Mike McNamara, 1st Dan is standing at the far left in the back row; directly to his left is Don Grant, 1st Dan; and directly to his left is John Gahrs, 2nd Dan (directly behind Grand Master Kim). Kneeling in the second row at the far left is Kathy Bramwell, 1st Gup; to her left (also in the second row) is Kathy Tracey, 2nd Gup; immediately to her left is Markus Wolfram, 3rd Gup; and to his left is Danny Keener, 1st Gup. Seated in the first row, second from the left is Austin Grant 10th Gup; directly to his left (kneeling) is Erin Koehler, 8th Gup; and seated in the front row, second from the right is Chris Grant, 10th Gup (holding Wicket the Bear). As you can see, the United States Korean Karate Association (USKKA) was well represented in this seminar!

The Head Instructor of Mike March's Korean Karate is Master Instructor Mike March. He currently holds a 6th Dan (Degree) Black Belt. He has successfully competed in numerous Local, National, and International competitions.

Master March is a skilled Martial Artist who is also a gifted instructor. His skill and teaching style inspire all who train with him. He openly shares all he has learned with his students and will unselfishly guide them forward to their goals.

In 1965, Master March began training in Tang Soo Do with Master David J. Praim, co-founder of Korean Karate Clubs, Inc. Master March went on to become a member of the elite Karate Institute Competition and Demonstration Team. In his successful competition career, Master March won over 180 Local, State, National, and International trophies while competing in Black Belt Forms and Fighting. Master March also became the captain of the "Detroit All-Stars", undefeated Midwest National Black Belt Team. All five members were nationally ranked in fighting competition, undefeated in 4 years, and won a combined total of 800 trophies among its five members.

Master March was also a guest fighter with the Ohio Karate Institute Competition Team at Jhoon Rhee's Grand Nationals in Washington D.C. Master March was also a member of the Michigan Board of Directors of Karate Institute and the United States Tang Soo Do - Moo Duk Kwan Federation

Master March went on to be the founder and President of United States Korean Karate Association, an organization that is still active today. Many of his students who have opened up clubs of their own are members of the USKKA. Master March’s vision for the USKKA was (and still is) to promote the highest standards of physical and mental performance and discipline while training and teaching traditional Tang Soo Do the way it was taught by Grand Master Hwang Kee himself. Master March has trained with, and has been promoted by Grand Master Hwang Kee personally, so he knows from first hand experience what Grand Master’s standards of excellence were and what Tang Soo Do stands for.

Some of Master March’s accomplishments:

Bachelor's Degree in Education
Majors: Biology and Physical Education
Master's Degree in Educational Leadership
Master's Degree in Physical Education

Personally trained with Grand Master Hwang Kee, the Founder of Moo Duk Kwan - Tang Soo Do, and was promoted to 4th Dan by him in 1976.

Started first Korean Karate class for college credit in Michigan at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.

Held first Intercollegiate Karate Competition in Michigan at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.

Master March's fighting accomplishments are far too numerous to list. He has competed all over the United States (including Hawaii) and Canada, winning 1st place in many State and National Black Belt competitions in both fighting and forms. He has been nationally ranked in such magazines as: Official Karate, Karate Illustrated, Black Belt, and Professional Karate. Master Instructor March has promoted over 100 students to the rank of 1st Dan, the first of whom was Bill Leonard.