American Tang Soo Do
| Also known as | American Karate, Chuck Norris Karate System |
|---|---|
| Focus | Hybrid |
| Country of origin |
 United States |
| Creator | Chuck Norris |
| Parenthood | Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan, Shotokan, Shito-ryu, American Kenpo, Boxing, Judo |
American Tang Soo Do (American Karate) is a Tang Soo Do based, American hybrid martial art style founded in 1966 by Chuck Norris.
American Tang Soo Do evolved from Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan and it combines elements from several different fighting styles including Judo and Boxing. Between 1958 and 1962 Chuck Norris was stationed in Korea at the Osan Air Base, South Korea, as a member of the Air Policeman in the United States Air Force. During this time he trained in various martial arts styles under some of the most respected instructors in the world. These instructors included Tang Soo Do founder Hwang Kee and his chief instructor Shin Jae Chul, and Judo instructor Ahn.
Upon his return to the United States as a Tang Soo Do black belt Norris continued his martial arts training with Shotokan Karate masters Tsutomu Ohshima and Hidetaka Nishiyama, Shitō-ryū Karate instructor Fumio Demura, American Kenpo Karate founder Ed Parker, and Judo expert Gene LeBell. Norris later began training in Rio with the Gracie family in Gracie Jiu-jitsu under Helio Gracie and his sons Royce Gracie and Rickson Gracie, and he was instrumental in bringing the Gracie family to America. He later trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with the Machado family, namely Carlos Machado who promoted Norris to black belt.
After his military service ended in 1962 Norris began to open karate schools across Southern California where he taught traditional Korean Tang Soo Do to American students. During this time he was also becoming a well known World Champion karate fighter. Being proficient in Judo as well as in Boxing, Norris incorporated the techniques of these fighting arts into his Tang Soo Do instruction which became at one point known as the Chuck Norris System. In doing so he created a new American martial art of his own design, American Tang Soo Do, which helped to fuel the American Karate craze of the 1970s and 80's.
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