Master McManus' Journey in Tang Soo Do
Master McManus demonstrating an inverted round kick
Master McManus began his study of Tang Too Do in 1993 at the age of nine. It wasn't until he was 16 when he began to take his training seriously and chose to dedicate himself to the art by teaching classes in addition to his regular training schedule. He was also a regular competitor on the tournament scene.
After winning National Championships in 2000 and 2001 he was hit with a major setback to his Tang Too Do career in 2002. Hip pain led to the discovery of a congenital hip disorder which caused considerable discomfort and was hindering his physical ability. between 2002 and 2006 he endured nine hip surgeries to clean out and reconstruct both hip joints.
Master McManus earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in 2005 (between surgeries). He earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt in 2007 and his 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2010. In 2015 he participated in the 20th annual Kodanja Shim Sa. A 5-day test for the rank or 4th Degree Black Belt and the title of Master Instructor. The test is designed to push the candidates to their physical and mental limits through 12-16 hour training days while also running on minimal sleep. A true test of any martial artist.
In 2009 Master McManus opened Seven Star Martial Arts Academy in Downtown Ansonia Connecticut. It was always a dream of his to open a school to share the art of Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan with the people of his community.
Mr. McManus after testing at the West Haven dojang (1993)
- Master McManus' Martial Arts experience:
- 5 Elements and 5 Element Linking Form
- 5 Element 2 person set
- 12 Animal Styles (Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Chicken, Sparrow-Hawk, Swallow, Tai Bird, Crocodile, Monkey, Horse, Bear and Eagle)
Chen Family Tai Chi (Supreme Ultimate Boxing)
- Chen 18 Postures
- Laojia Yi-Lu
- Chen Single Broadsword (Chen Shi Dan Dao)
Master McManus' Competition Highlights
- 2000 Tang Soo Do National Champion
- 2001 New England TSD Invitational Champion - Hyung Division
- 2001 Tang Soo Do National Champion
- 2002 CT State Champion - Sparring
- 2009 Tang Soo Do Team USA Member - Rotterdam, Netherlands
- 2009 International Chinese Martial Arts Gold Medalist - Open Tai Chi Division
- 2009 Tang Soo Do National Champion
- 2010 CT State Champion - Traditional Hyung
- 2010 CT State Champion - Weapon Hyung
- 2010 CT State Grand Champion - Weapon Hyung
- 2010 Tang Soo Do National Champion
- 2011 CT State Champion - Traditional Hyung
- 2011 Tang Soo Do Team USA Member - Orlando, FL (3rd Place, Traditional Hyung)
- 2012 Stamford All Tang Soo Do Champion - Traditional Hyung
- 2012 Stamford All Tang Soo Do Grand Champion - Traditional Hyung
- 2012 CT State Champion - Traditional Hyung
- 2012 Tang Soo Do National Champion
- 2014 Tang Soo Do National Champion
- 2015 Began competing in the Kodanja (Master) Division
- 2015 Tang Soo Do Team USA Member - Las Vegas, NV
- 2016 CT State Champion - Kodanja Weapons
- 2016 CT State Champion - Kodanja Forms
- 2016 Tang Soo Do National Champion - Kodanja Weapons
- 2016 Tang Soo Do National Champion - Kodanja Chil Sung Forms
- 2017 CT State Champion - Kodanja Weapons
- 2017 CT State Champion - Kodanja Forms
- 2018 CT State Champion - Kodanja Weapons
- 2018 CT State Champion - Kodanja Forms
- 2019 CT State Champion - Kodanja Weapons
- 2019 CT State Champion - Kodanja Forms
- 1st, 2nd or 3rd in various local and regional tournaments from 2000-Present