The Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation

The Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation was founded by Grandmaster Robert A. Cheezic, one of the first Americans to earn a black belt in Tang Soo Do while stationed in Korea with the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1961.

Training under Grandmaster Jae Shin — a direct student of Tang Soo Do founder Hwang Kee — Cheezic earned black belt #2278 in 1960. Among his classmates were Bob Thompson and actor Chuck Norris, with whom he maintained a lifelong friendship.

After returning home to Waterbury, Connecticut, Grandmaster Cheezic began teaching in a local school gym while working full-time. He later opened the American Tang Soo Do Academy, the first Tang Soo Do dojang in the Northeastern U.S.

Over the last 45+ years, Grandmaster Cheezic has taught more than 25,000 students worldwide, promoted over 2,000 black belts, and fiercely advocated for inclusive martial arts training — including for students with special needs. Today, he oversees around 50 affiliated clubs across the U.S. and internationally, including in Russia.