Our Founding Master

Grandmaster Kevin T. Case is the founder of the United Tang Soo Do Association and a lifelong martial artist with more than five decades of training, teaching, and leadership experience. He began his martial arts journey at age 13 in 1974, studying disciplines that included Yoshinkan Aikido and Okinawan Goju Ryu before dedicating himself to Tang Soo Do.

He earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do in 1985 and later earned a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo in 1988, continuing to deepen both his technical skill and understanding of traditional martial arts principles.

In 1988, Grandmaster Case moved to Italy, where he taught martial arts to students from around the world for four years. His time there left a lasting impact on the local martial arts community and further expanded his experience as an international instructor.

After returning to the United States in 1992, he founded the Jacksonville Tang Soo Do Academy in Florida, where he developed many students to advanced black belt rank. In 2006, he founded the United Tang Soo Do Association with the vision of creating an organization rooted in traditional values, strong standards, professional leadership, and a supportive family atmosphere.

Today, Grandmaster Case holds the rank of 8th Dan in Tang Soo Do and is recognized not only for his technical expertise, but also for his commitment to personal development, Black Belt leadership, and the growth of others. Over the course of his career, he has trained and promoted more than 150 Black Belts and has personally guided many instructors to advanced levels of responsibility and leadership.

His traditional foundation was shaped through the guidance of respected instructors including Yukio Utada Sensei in Aikido, Hanshi Anthony Lingo in Okinawan Goju Ryu, Master Gregory Cann in Taekwondo, and in Tang Soo Do: Master Lester Ricks, Master Barbara Giacobbe, Grandmaster D.A. Giacobbe, and the late Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin.

Grandmaster Case continues to play an active role in the training and development of United Tang Soo Do Association instructors, helping preserve the traditions, standards, and spirit of Tang Soo Do for the next generation.