Mountain Karate Academy of Lehighton participated in a once in a lifetime event this month.

Master Kovaleski's USA Karate, in Dickson City, sponsored a visit with the Grandmasters of Tang Soo Do. The Grandmasters traveled to Pennsylvania from Korea.On Thursday, May 11, a group of martial artists, including nine from Mountain Karate Academy, and other martial artists from out of state and even as far as from Mexico, participated in a training seminar with these legendary Grandmasters at the tournament held at Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony.These greats included Grandmaster Hee Suk Choi, who is the second highest ranking Tang Soo Do Grandmaster in the world today. He was the third black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan history under Grandmaster Hwang Kee. He currently serves as the president of the House of Senate for the World Moo Duk Kwan General Federation. Also included were Grandmaster Jae Joong Kwon, chairman, Grandmaster Koe Woong Choung, General Secretary, Grandmaster Chang Il Do (aka as Bruce Lai, movie actor), chief instructor, and Grandmaster Hwang Jung Lee, movie actor.Grandmaster Young Duk Kim, the second black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan history, unfortunately could not make it this time.On Friday the two day international tournament began. The Grandmasters were present and evaluating the students. Over 20 Mountain Karate students participated and brought home numerous trophies and medals.Saturday evening the Legends of the Martial Arts Awards banquet was held at Split Rock Resort. Inducted into the Legends of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame were many legendary martial artists, including such greats as Hanshi Frank Dux, Master James Lew, and World Champion Muhammad Ali, to name a few. Among the inductees were five members of the Mountain Karate family, Sharyl Maglionico, Master Paul Maglionico, Instructor Rich Maglionico, Master John Fagliarone and Instructor Dave Scott.