Patchogue: Karate Teacher Accused of Molestation

A Suffolk County man was held yesterday on charges of molesting eight children who attended karate classes at a studio where he worked as a volunteer instructor, the police said. The instructor, Richard Carfora, 19, of Mastic, was charged with abusing the children, ages 6 to 10, over the last four months at the Zen Nippon Kempo Karate Studio in Patchogue, according to the Suffolk County police. They said Mr. Carfora, who was a also martial arts student, directed the children to a dressing room under the guise of adjusting their karate uniforms, and then sexually assaulted them. He was arrested on May 11, and remained in custody yesterday at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead, the police said. --Thomas J. Lueck (NYT)

S.J. Kim on NY1

Tae Kwon Do Grandmaster S.J. Kim is featured in a piece on NY1 this week (Time Warner Cable channel 1). If you don't get NY1 you can see it on their website. At the end the reporter, Roger Clark, tries to break a board with predictably hilarious results.

Asian-American Heritage Week: Tae Kwon Do Master Turns Out Hundreds Of Black Belts

NY1 usually only keeps stories up for a week, so here's the text if you missed it:

May 16, 2005

When you consider the contributions of Asian-Americans, you can't ignore the martial arts. They're more than just kung fu movies - they're a tool for strengthening bodies and minds, and coping with the everyday stresses of life.

As NY1 continues our coverage of Asian-American Heritage Week, Roger Clark introduces us to man who has taught Tae Kwon Do here for three decades.

It's a little bit of punching, a little bit of kicking, and a whole lot of breathing. It's Tae Kwon Do, and Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim has been teaching this Korean art of self-defense for 30 years.

“Self-defense is very important to us, because it gives us great piece of mind, and our mind, body and spirit is working in harmony,” says Master Kim.

Master Kim is a ninth-degree black belt, and was selected in 1976 to be part of an international demonstration team introducing Tae Kwon Do around the world. Despite his accomplishments, the native of Korea still enjoys teaching, turning people from all walks of life into black belts

“He really can look at you and just in one or two comments be able to give you improvements that are really substantial,” says student Ray Recht.

“He always knows exactly how to motivate you, whatever that is for you,” says classmate Dawn Sardinas.

After more than 12 years learning under Master Kim, James Marr was motivated to open his own school.

“He's made me the best black belt that I can be because of the way my body works,” he says. “So he is smart enough to understand that.”

The 53-year-old Master Kim is not ready to quit just yet. He hopes to teach full time for another four to five years, and then cut down his schedule a bit.

“I hope to make about 200 black belts before I stop teaching, then I think this school will be here for a while,” he says.

Master Kim and his students somehow convinced me to try and break a board, so either it's going to work, or I'm going to be in the emergency room.

My first attempt was not so great, but with proper focus and discipline, and one less board, I was able to do it.

Though I don't think Master Kim will be handing me a black belt anytime soon.

- Roger Clark

USKBA certification seminar

New York, NY - As part of their continuing effort to improve ring sports and make them more professional, the USKBA has been engaging in certification seminars for judges and referees for all it's ring sports. The program has been quite successful and in states like Ohio, now all USKBA events are conducted ONLY with certified officials. Over the next year, the USKBA sets to establish all its events "certifed officials only".

Friday, June 17, the day before "Sport Fighting Titans", the USKBA will hold a certification for judges and referees in both the Muay Thai and San Da rules divisions. The seminar will take place at NY San Da Gym, 336 W 37th Street, between 8th and 9th ave, (212) 239 8619. It is set for 7:30 pm. The fee is $40.

Those who attended will receive a one year license, a USKBA patch and an official ID card. These officials will have a chance to refine their skills by working the "Sport Fighting Titans" event the next day. Certified USKBA officials who work "Sport Fighting Titans" will of couse be paid for their services.

For more information, contact
David A Ross
NY San Da Gym
www.NYSanDa.com
(212) 239-8619

Tungh Dinh Does Sit-ups for 30 Hours



What would motivate a man to do sit-ups for 30 consecutive hours? Some might say it was for the glory or the fame. But if you asked the man who will actually do sit-ups for 30 straight hours, he will give you only one reason - to celebrate his Freedom. Tung Dinh, a Vietnamese refugee, came to the U.S. at the age of 12 on April 25th, 1975, just days before the Fall of Saigon. Since then, he has used his 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and overall fitness acumen to teach fitness and self-confidence to children of all ages; especially those afflicted with weight and obesity disorders. Today, however, Master Tung Dinh will use his physical abilities to show his appreciation for the freedom he has enjoyed for 30 years in America and pay respect to the soldiers who provided that freedom to him and his family then, and to all of us today.

At 7:00 a.m. on April 26th, Tung Dinh began his sit-up marathon at Gold's
Gym NYC on West 54th Street in Manhattan and continued for 30 consecutive hours, ending at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27. By the end of his marathon, Mr. Dinh is expected to exceed more than 30,000 sit-ups, another symbolic milestone to commemorate his 30th anniversary.

Vietnam Veterans and children from the National TRIO program "Upward Bound" will show their support and provide inspiration to Mr. Dinh by becoming members of his "Pit Crew." The Pit Crew teams will rotate over the course of the marathon and be responsible for maintaining an accurate count of sit-ups, providing water and nourishment throughout the marathon and offering the morale and inspirational boost Dinh will need to successfully reach his amazing goal.

"When I came to America with my family, my father stayed behind to help the U.S. negotiate the release of American POW's," Master Tung Dinh recalls. "Not having my father with us was stressful and frightening but we knew what he was doing was right. I will be forever grateful for the sacrifices American soldiers made so I can experience the freedom we all have today," Tung continued. "This is my way of saying 'thank you' to the brave soldiers and to remind myself, and especially children and young adults, that while life's everyday struggles can be painful, the reward often outweighs the pain and sacrifice. While most people will undoubtedly agree with the painful sacrifice associated with 30 hours of sit-ups, I may have a tough time
convincing them it's worth the reward," Mr. Dinh said with a smile.

Over the last 30 years, Tung Dinh has made America his home. He attended high school and college in Murray, Kentucky, where he and his family continue to live today. Following college he enlisted in the National Guard and ROTC, worked his way to First Lieutenant in 1987, and was appointed Company Commander (CPT) 614 MP Company in 1990.

Following his military career, Tung Dinh started his own business, Martial Arts America, teaching Tae Kwon Do to members of his community in Murray, Kentucky. Over time he earned a 5th degree Black Belt and worked very closely with actor and martial arts legend Chuck Norris to establish the "Kick Drugs Out of America" program in 1998. In 2002 he created the Martial Arts After School Program (MAP) to give local kids a place to go and learn self-confidence and discipline. And last year his Martial Arts America was voted the number one martial arts school in America by the UBC.

Today, Tung Dinh continues to teach martial arts and has developed a fitness and diet program specifically for children with overweigh and obesity issues. "There is a serious problem in this country related to weight control and much of the problem resides with our children," expressed Mr. Dinh. "I will continue to do whatever I can to help these children and their families create, and maintain, a healthy lifestyle consisting of exercise and diet."

Source: PRNewswire

Manhattan Martial Arts School Continues Outstanding Public Service and Community Outreach

From UCW Newsroom

Gale Greenstein, the Coordinator for the Relationship Abuse Prevention Program in New York City stated "I cannot possibly express the amount of generosity, talent and positivity that the Manhattan Tae Kwon Do School has brought to our programs and our students."

Ms. Greenstein continues, "For the past three years, Mario Guerrero personally worked with my at-risk inner-city youth, consistently bringing not only his abilities, but also his warm energy and obvious inner-strength with him. The students naturally like him and admire him. Using creative programming like 'teamwork through juggling' encouraged not only teamwork, but also gave the youth a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence while having fun. They begged me to ask him to return on their "Career Day", and once again, he generously came and spoke to my students about the importance of discipline, self-motivation, and how they could make their dreams a reality. He makes a personal connection and in my experience, inspires the kids to think beyond their previous goals. Helping to mold them into leaders can sometimes be a daunting task, but Mr. Guerrero models leadership beautifully."

The results of the community outreach with at risk kids is amazing. Ms. Greenstein stated, "Perhaps the most incredible thing that I must mention about Mr. Guerrero and Manhattan Tae Kwon Do is the incredible transformation he caused by accepting one of my troubled students into his classes on a full scholarship. My student was displaying a tremendous amount of anger and aggression, and Mr. Guerrero offered him the opportunity to get involved in studying Tae Kwon Do under the guidance of his incredible staff. It has been over a year, and my student has made a complete turn-around. He has earned several belt levels, has found a positive place to channel his aggression, and he is more than proud of becoming a part of the school's wonderful, supportive community. Mr Guerrero also gave him a job working with younger students, for which he is thrilled and proud. He feels like a leader for the first time, and deservedly so."

This outreach continues as noted by Ms. Greenstein, "As if this wasn't enough, Mr Guerrero recently offered the same scholarship to another young man experiencing similar problems. The first student is proud to be his mentor, and the new student was beaming as he 'broke a board' for the first time and earned a new belt. These are invaluable experiences that undoubtedly will change the course of their lives. I can only imagine how many other youth have been similarly affected by Manhattan Tae Kwon Do's discipline, respect, and leadership training."

"Kudos to Mario Guerrero and the schools he has created! They will assuredly continue their path of changing people's lives for the better."