About Us
Our school is a proud member of the global tang soo do association.
About Us
Lu Karate is a traditional, old school, family martial arts academy located in Gwinnett County, GA. We have classes Monday – Thursday for all ages from six years old and up led by Master Terry Lu.
Our school first opened in 2016. We come from a pedigree of world renown schools and Masters, and we strive to keep their traditions. We provide a fun, yet serious way for students to learn respect, courtesy, discipline, self defense and how to become leaders in our communities. We are proud members of the Global Tang Soo Do Association.
At Lu Karate we have a “no test” strategy for colored belts. Students train at their own pace, and they are advanced to the next belt when they are ready. Once a student is ready for Black Belt we send them to the Grand Master for their Black Belt test and ceremony.
Get started today! If you join your rank and experience will be recognized worldwide where ever you may travel as a member of the Global Tang Soo Do Association.
Great Grand Master T.M. Kim
Chong Jae Nim Tong Mun Kim is a Korean national. At the age of fourteen, he joined a Tang Soo Do class at Pyong Taek, Korea.
Soon showing his ability, he rapidly moved his way up through the first ten grades. Within two years, he was one of the three who, of all of the original 150 students, succeeded in achieving Black Belt status.
At nineteen, he had reached 3rd Dan and was appointed to the Song Tan School as an instructor with his own class, and within a year was promoted to School Instructor in charge of his own school. In the 1966 Korean Army Championship, he was a Welterweight Silver Medalist.
During the next two years he succeeded twice in an elimination contest held by the Korean Federation to choose the most able instructors to represent them in Vietnam and Thailand, but did not take up his option. Instead, he decided to take up an appointment as Assistant Instructor to the USAF 314 Air Division at Osan in 1969. The following year the Tang Soo Do Grandmaster Hwang Kee chose him for the National Korean Demonstration Team, which toured US bases and gave demonstrations to the high ranking military personnel and celebrities.
By 1972 he had become Head Instructor to the 314th Air Division with five assistant Black Belt instructors and some 350 students. At this time he was asked to host the 5th All American Tang Soo Do Championships which was a great success, his own team winning the championship.
From 1972 to 1976 he participated in many things; special High Black Belt training courses, Celebration Demonstrations, Young Person’s Championships, and many others. He then left Korea to take up an appointment as Chief Instructor for Greece, which was based in Athens. Staying in Greece for a year, he then accepted an invitation from Lee Kang Uk, the Chief Instructor for Europe, to accept responsibility for Tang Soo Do in Wales and the West.
In 1984, he arrived in the United States to open the T.M. Kim Tang Soo Do School in Norcross, GA. He also held the Vice President position of the International Tang Soo Do Federation and Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee. Since then he has opened several schools across Georgia. In addition to himself, his four children are all advanced Black Belt holders. Having achieved the title of Chong Jae Nim, or Great Grandmaster, T.M. Kim continues to promote and spread the art of Tang Soo Do!
Great Grand Master T.M. Kim
Grand Master T.H. Kim
Grandmaster Tong Hwan Kim, or T.H. Kim, is the current Grandmaster of The Global Tang Soo Do Association. He brought the GTSDA to become a 21st Century Tang Soo Do organization whose purpose is to serve its instructors, students, member studios, and communities by passing on his vast knowledge of Tang Soo Do.
He currently holds rank in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. He is regarded by his students and peers as an excellent martial artist. During his time competing, he won many tournaments and championships in the U.K. and also the United States. His passion is assisting martial art owners to achieve success in running their martial art studios and passing along his vast Korean Martial Art knowledge to his students. He emphasizes a “lead by example” mentality, and his students hold him in the highest regard.
The 2nd son of Grandmaster Tong Mun Kim, Grandmaster Tong Hwan Kim began Tang Soo Do training in 1978 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. He came to the U.S. in 1985 and opened his first school at the age of 18. He has since been training and teaching in Korean arts, mainly Tang Soo Do.
Now, he has devoted his life to teaching Tang Soo Do and using his entrepreneurial skills in transforming the Global Tang Soo Do Association founded by his father into a 2nd generation Tang Soo Do organization whose goal is to spread the art throughout his organization, GTSDA.
Grand Master T.H. Kim
Master Terry Lu
Master Lu is the Founder, Owner and Head Instructor of Lu Karate. He works closely with Grand Master T. H. Kim of The Global Tang Soo Do Association, attending and assisting with most of their functions. He also encourages all Lu Karate members to become active participants in the association.
He began training with Grand Master T. H. Kim and his brother, S. S. Kim (also Grand Master) in the early 2000’s. He has been fortunate to have also had some private training from their father, Great Grand Master and Head of the association, Cheong Jae Nim T. M. Kim. Learning up through the ranks from white belt to 4th degree black belt, Master Kim promoted Mr. Lu to Master Instructor in 2015.
Master Lu started out training one or two days a week, and soon he was going almost every day. Grand Master Kim asked him to be his Program Director and eventually Assistant Instructor (Kyo Sa Nim). The Grand Master suggested that Master Lu start a new school to further our traditions. Grand Master Kim continues to give regular Martial Arts and Business coaching to ensure our success. Master Lu continues to train faithfully with Grand Master Kim and shares knowledge and skills directly with his students in Jefferson.
He loves improving the lives of his students and their families by teaching the values of Self Discipline, Respect, Courtesy, Honor, and Service.
Master Lu (middle) pictured with Great Grand Master T. M. Kim and Grand Master T.H. Kim.
