Koo Self Defense
History of Master Roger Koo
History of Master Roger Koo
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Training Programs Offered:
Belts / No Belts
Below is a list of all the benefits from our workout
KSD Kickboxing Aerobics
KSD Anaerobics
Anger Management
Awesome Knockout Power
Balance
Boxing Movements
Concentration
Co-ordination
Crunches
Dirty Fighting
Endurance
Health
Fitness
Flexibility
Interval Training
Jump Rope
Kick Boxing
Mental Focus
Mobility
Muscle Fibers
Fast-Slow Twitch
Muscle Tone
Physical Therapy
Plyometrics
Power Drills
ush-ups
Resistance Training
Rhythm
Self Defense
Sit-Ups
Speed Drills
Stamina Drills
Stomach Crunches
Stretching Static/Dynamic
Street Combat
Street Fighting
Stress Reduction
Strength
Total Body Workouts
Weight Reduction
Yoga
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Cartersville, Metro Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Home of the World Youngest Black Belts
Master Koo and his students have appeared on numerous television channels since 1989 both in the United Kingdom and the USA.
   Master Roger Koo has appeared on numerous television channels both in the United Kingdom and in the U.S.A with his students on the news and other programs. Further details are listed below.Born of Chinese parents on the cosmopolitan island of Mauritius located in the Indian Ocean, Master Roger Koo was sent to London, England, Great Britain, U.K at the age of eight years old to complete his education and to choose his own career. Master Koo's career in the martial arts started at the age of fifteen. He studied Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, Shokukai, Tae Kwon-Do and Choi Kwang Do. Master Koo spent most of his training in Tae Kwon-Do, up to fourth degree Black Belt under Master Rhee Ki Ha of the United Kingdom Tae Kwon-Do Association (UKTA) affiliated with the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation (I.T.F). From 1977, Master Koo opened his five Tae Kwon-Do schools in and around Greater metropolitan London.  
1977, Master Roger Koo was featured on the cover of U.K. "Fighters" Vol. 1, #2 martial arts magazine performing a "Twin Foot Jumping Front Kick" as part of U.K.T.A.'s demonstration team for Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee martial arts demonstration at Hyde Park, London. That same year, Master Koo was also on the cover of Fighters Vol 1, #4 with another UKTA instructor at the Hyde Park Demo.  1978, Master Koo was mentioned (photo included) in an article that appeared in Karate and Oriental Arts for his 2nd Degree Black Belt Test in the U.K.T.A1982, Master Koo devoted his life time to the martial arts. 1983, Master Koo was invited to represent London & South East England on the U.K.T.A.'s committee and later to become Treasurer. 1985, Master Koo was responsible for having "Tae Kwon-Do" included into the Guinness book of records and description of the word "Tae Kwon-Do" in the Oxford Concise Dictionary and in the Micropedia of the Encyclopedia Britannica. He also served as Secretary-General/Treasurer of All Europe Tae Kwon-Do Federation (A.E.T.F./I.T.F).   Guinness Book of Records Page Oxford University Book Press  Encylopedia Britanicca1986, Master Koo contributed an article on Tae Kwon-Do in the book published by Marshall Cavendish titled "The way to the martial arts."  Marshall Cavendish Book entitled 'The Way to the Martial Arts' 1987, Master Koo founded the "United Kingdom Tae Kwon-Do Federation" (U.K.T.F.) with several other 4th-degree Black Belts formerly with the U.K.T.A. and was elected President and Chief Instructor of U.K.T.F. The U.K.T.F. grew to be the number two Tae Kwon-Do organization in the U.K. with more than 125 schools in just one year! April 1988, Master Koo was one founder member representing the U.K.T.F. to help the formation of the British Tae Kwon-Do Council (B.T.C.) in the Martial Arts Commission (M.A.C.). That same year, Master Koo parted company with the U.K.T.F. and founded the United Kingdom Choi Kwang Do Federation of which he was the President and Chief Instructor. Master Koo made two yearly visits to Atlanta, G.A. from then on for training. April 1989, Master Koo appeared on England's Thames Television News for having the youngest Black Belt, Steve Man, 8 yrs. old in the United Kingdom.      
January 1990, Master Roger Koo was the 44th cover story of World Wide magazine "Tae Kwon-Do Times" (Vol. 10, #2) published in the U.S., the only Master Instructor from outside the U.S/Canada ever to appear on its cover. All action photographs were taken at Tae Kwon-Do Times magazine headquarters in 1989. 
March 1990, Master Koo was the cover story of U.K's Martial Arts Illustrated magazine. 
September 18, 1990, Master Koo demonstrated for England's Thames television program "Contacts." Master Koo with program presenter Josephine Buchan. February 1991, Master Koo was invited to work in Atlanta, GA as vice-president of Choi Kwang Do Martial Arts International. Beginning in September that same year, he was featured on the back covers of the Argentinean magazine "Mundo Marcial" for several issues.In November 1991, Master Koo resigned from Choi Kwang Do and moved to Cartersville, G.A. He gradually developed his own system of martial arts called Koo Self Defense International which became official on February 1, 1992.     1992, Master Koo appeared with Master James Lim, founder of Hup Kwon Do and former vice-president of Choi Kwang Do Martial Art International on the cover of Tae Kwon-Do Times. Many photographs were taken for the front cover at Tae Kwon-Do Times Headquarters.
1993, Master Koo achieved the highest honors from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services (I.N.S) for his immigrant visa. They grant this visa to the top one percentile of all immigrants to the U.S.: to Nobel prize winners, World
renowned Sportsmen, Scientists, Actors etc. This was made possible by the law firm of Socheat Chea, P.C February 19, 1994. Coca-Cola's President Mr. Doug Ivester and Mr. Wardlaw, Regional Vice-President/General Manager of Bottling Division interviewed Master Koo for a Coca-Cola video commercial entitled "The Road to Rome" at Koo (Karate) Self Defense International's studio on Saturday, February 19, 1994.
  Left photo:Mr. Doug Ivester with Master Koo. Right Photo:Students who participated in Coca-Cola video commercial. Mr. Doug Ivester and Master Koo seated. February 21, 1994. City of Cartersville's Chief of Police, J.R Willbanks appeared on Channel 4 (WBHF) News on his achievement to Black Belt in Koo Self Defense on February 12, 1994. Snap shot from TV News March 31, 1994. Koo Self Defense demo team appeared on 'Habitat for Humanity fund raising show which was televised by Channle 4 (WBHF). Master Koo demonstrated his Jumping Push-ups on the stage of Grand Theater, Downtown Cartersville which was made of steel.    Snap shot from TV show June 11, 1994, Master Koo went to Palm Springs for a special banquet to receive an award from Martial Arts Business Information Magazine as one of the TOP 200 MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS IN NORTH AMERICA, he was the ONLY instructor in Georgia to receive this award. Channel 4 (WBHF) News covered the story of Master Koo's award.  Snap shot from Channel 4 newsJuly 5, 1994, Master Koo was selected as an honored member in the National Directory of Who's Who in Executive and professional 1994-1995 edition. May 31, 1995, Master Koo produced the World's youngest Black Belt, Joshua Bishop, 5 years old and both were featured on Channel 2 (WSB/ ABC); Channel 4 (WBHF); Channel 11 (WXIA/NBC) & Channel 46 (WGNX/CBS) News. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution newspaper published Joshua's achievements in their Sunday, July 23, 1995 edition under "Bill Osinski's Main Street, G.A". The Tae Kwon-Do Times Magazine covered the story in their December 1995 issue. Snap shot from Channel 4 News Snap shot from Channel 11 news   Snap shot from Channel 46 news with Deni MooreNovember 3, 1996, Master Koo was invited to join an elite and pretigious group of Head Founders/Head Masters worldwide called World Head of Family Sokeship Council (W.H.F.S.C). November 14, 1996, Cartersville, Georgia, U.S.A had its first historical event. A major television network, Fox from New-York city contacted Master Koo for a live
broadcast performance. They televised some of his students at the Cartersville studio, which was aired all over Eastern United States. Local Television Channel 4 (WBHF) News covered the story.  Left photo:Suzanne Whang (Road Warrior) and Linda Hayes from Fox T.V with Master Koo, Gemma and Gregory Koo. Right photo:Students who participated in "Fox after Breakfast" Television Program December 1996, Tae Kwon-Do Times magazine published Master Koo and Mr. Joe Smith five page article entitled "Forbidden Subjects" on the philosophy and concept of the unique Koo Self Defense training system. December 13, 1996, Master Koo produced the World's youngest 1st. Degree Black Belt, Tommy Muller age 6. March 18, 1997, Master Koo was informed by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council (W.H.F.S.C) that he has been chosen for induction into the 3rd. International Martial Arts Hall of Fame. August 16, 1998, Master Koo and several students; Terry Mays (1st Degree), Mrs. Brhonda Payne (Black Belt), David Eubanks (Purple/Red Stripe) and Annette White (Yellow Belt) performed on the entire 30 minutes television program "Perspective", hosted by Wynn Westmoreland on Television Channel WNGM which is broadcast throughout Metro Atlanta and neighbouring states.
  Top photo:Wynn Westmoreland and Master Koo at WNGM studio in Marietta, Georgia Bottom photo: Taken at the Television Studio in Marietta, GA on Thursday, August 13, 1998. From Left: Annette White, David Eubanks, Terry Mays, Wynn Westmoreland, Master Roger Koo & Brhonda Payne. August 14, 1998 until April 16, 1999; Master Koo has been invited by Cloverleaf Elementary School in Bartow County, Georgia to teach Koo Self Defense every 6 weeks to different groups of Children until the entire school have participated.     
Newspaper Clip in "The Daily Tribune" Newspaper October 20, 1998 September 6, 1998, Master Roger Koo was featured in the Bartow Business section of The Daily Tribune Newspaper. See the Published Article in Newspapers Additionally, Master Koo has been featured in many articles in newspapers and martial arts magazines. 1999 Master Koo started the production of 20 Koo Self Defense workout videos.                     August 2000, Master Koo was nominated by Action Martial Arts Magazine into their Hall of Fame and The Prestigious Martial Arts Spirit Awards to be held on January 20, 2001 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Unfortunately due to Master Koo's busy schedule with the KSD Video Library Series, he will not be able to attend. Inductee '2004' USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame   November 2006, Master Koo started another business RKPC Service Ever since the early days of computers, Master Koo has a passion for technology. In the early days of personal computers in the early 1970's, he got together with his friend Mike Aylett to write up a database for students' information to print up a register and accounts book keeping etc. These types of programs are readily available everywhere now. Then came the internet, Master Koo created and maintains the Koo Self Defense web site along with his wife web site D K Color Salon both are ranked in the top first page for all of the popular search engines for many numerous keywords. Master Koo has accumulated a wealth of knowledge over the years and is using it for a very practical purpose. Below are photos from the earlier days 1970's onwards of Master Roger Koo's training in Tae Kwon-Do (UKTA & UKTF) and Choi Kwang Do (UKCF)              
              
            
From G. Martin Kocanda, Streamwood, IL. Copy from ksdi.net Signed Guestbook, April 15, 2004I finally had the pleasure of meeting Master Koo and participating in a workout as a guest of a former student, Bridgette Bowen, on April 12, 2004. I was visiting the area as a prospective graduate student at Georgia Tech. Having viewed the KSDI website several months prior to the visit, I was most certainly impressed and had made the visit to the studio an integral part of the trip to the area. I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of intensity and duration, as this was to be an hour-long training session. The workout was exceptional! Having been an active participant of martial arts and also a certified fitness instructor, I had assumed that I was in good shape. I was in for a rude awakening. What an intense and satisfying workout! From what I have seen on the website and from this brief personal experience, Master Koo certainly has a way of reaching in drawing out one's inner strength and using it to the maximum potential. The multiple-punch combination aerobic routines during the first half of the class made my deltoids feel as if they were on fire. The target punches and kicks against a resistance were a real killer! I haven't ever worked this hard in all the years of practice! I'd give this class the highest rating of all the workouts that I've ever done and would give the school a very high rating. Should I choose to pursue graduate studies at Tech, I'll be an active participant at KSDI! Email to Master Koo From: "G. Martin Kocanda" |
