 Sa Bom Nim
David J. Cox
As a result of the simple request for "karate lessons"
as a Christmas gift, Master Cox began what has become a life long pursuit of martial arts excellence. That search for excellence
is not only internally driven, but extends to students with whom he works.
Interested in the competitive aspects of Tang Soo
Do from his earliest days, Master Cox has achieved an impressive array National competition experiences. These experiences
have resulted in 26 National Championship titles and 2 National Grand Championship awards.
One of the latter being the first All Round Grand Championships at the Master level. Additionally,
he has represented our country twice at the International Goodwill Tournament in Switzerland, his second trip as Captain of
the US Team.
Not only competing as an individual, Master Cox has
participated on numerous Regional Sparring Teams as well as having competed an unprecedented NINE years at the National level,
winning FOUR National Team Form titles, including three consecutive National Team Form Championships with the Texas
team.
Advanced achievements at an early age are nothing
new to Master Cox. At age 19 he earned his Sa Bom (Master) designation, the youngest in the style to have achieved
that distinction. Similarly, he is also the youngest Yuk Dan (6th Degree black belt) to have
achieved that rank in Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan.
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Sa
Bom Nim
Thomas
M. Cox
Master Cox has earned
degrees in various disciplines ... not just the martial arts. He earned undergraduate degrees in Music and Business from the
University of Miami, a Master of Arts at Central Michigan University as well as a Master of Business Administration (Finance)
at the University of Bridgeport.
His martial arts
career began in 1986, earning his Cho Dan (1st degree "black belt") in 1989. Continuously training, he eventually
earned the title Sa Bom (Master Instructor) in 1999 and was awarded his Yuk Dan (6th degree
black belt) in 2010. He has been teaching martial arts since 1990.
A member of the Board
of Directors of the internationally recognized martial arts organization, Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc.,
he is a member of the Strategic Initiatives Committee, a Regional Examiner, and served as President of the Association in
1997 & 1998. Master Cox was also honored to be inducted into the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan
HALL OF FAME in 2005!
His teaching and
competitive experience includes coaching the 1990 New England Forms Team to a National Championship, and competing as a member
of the Texas Forms Team for seven years culminating in three consecutive National Championships.
Master Cox has also published articles
in various publications including Black Belt Magazine.
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Sa
Bom Nim
Nancy Anderson
Master Anderson, was
intrigued by karate for many years, however, she dismissed it as something she didn’t have the ability to learn. But in 1993, Master Cox began teaching Tang Soo Do in their company’s work
out facility; so at nearly 40 years of age, she found the courage to try. This
simple, yet brave decision “to try” would become a lesson she would remember in a profoundly personal way 17 years
into the future.
Master Anderson earned
Cho Dan (1st degree black belt) in 1999.
She has competed in many
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan regional and national tournaments, and has consistently placed in forms and sparring competition,
winning multiple first place awards.
In 2010 Master Anderson
tested for, and was promoted to, Sa Bom (4th degree black belt and Master Instructor). Upon entering the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Headquarters, and reading the sign, “You never know what
you can do until you TRY!”, she vividly remembered the courage it took for her to try that first karate class. She successfully passed the grueling five-day test, becoming the first female Tang Soo Do
Mi Guk Kwan Sa Bom in Texas.
Master Anderson’s
husband joined karate shortly after they were married, making Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan an enjoyable part of their shared life. They also look forward to the day their granddaughters will be old enough to train
with them.
Master Anderson says,
“I am proud to say I am the longest standing and most senior ranking student of Masters Tom and David Cox, and it’s
a privilege belonging to West Haven Academy of Karate, where many other families also train together; where we truly are a
“karate family.”
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