About Master Gene Garbowsky

Master Gene Garbowsky began his martial art career in the early 1980’s by training in the techniques and traditions of Korean Tang Soo Do. During the 1990’ while attending Penn State University, he also added to his martial arts resume, by training in Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Japanese Shotokan Karate, Kick Boxing and Boxing.

Master Garbowsky has owned and operated professional martial art studios in State College, PA, North Huntingdon, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. He has trained hundreds of students in Tang Soo Do from ages 4 to over 70 years of age! Many of his students have gone on to be top karate competitors across the United States.

Since this time Master Garbowsky has had an opportunity to train, practice and attend seminars with some of the most notable Tang Soo Do Grandmaster and Master in the United States today.

In October of 2007, South Hills Karate Academy held it's1st Dan Testing Championship of Tang Soo Do. World renowned Tang Soo Do Grandmaster Andy Ah Po founder of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association, at the request of Master Garbowsky, conducted this historic event. At this event, which was deemed the "2007 Tang Soo Do Fall Weekend in Pittsburgh" Grandmaster Ah Po also conducted three special clinics for Tang Soo Do Ko Dan Ja and Yu Dan Ja in the Pittsburgh area.

In October, 2008 Master Garbowsky was awarded 5th Dan (Oh Dan) by Grandmaster Ah Po at the 2nd Annual Fall Weekend in Pittsburgh event. This was after an extensive evaluation and testing procedure. It was a testing procedure that involved four days of intensive evaluation by Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po during Master Garbowsky’s trip to Sacramento in January of 2008.

Master Garbowsky holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Pennsylvania State University (1992). In addition to devoting the majority of his life to teaching Tang Soo Do, he is also a successful, business and sales manager where he successfully motivates a sales team that spans two countries.

Summary of Achievements

1986 Began teaching Tang Soo Do in Pittsburgh at the age of 16 years old
1988 Awarded first Dan (Black Belt) (Dan# 26272) by International Tang Soo Do Federation
1991 Head Tang Soo Do Instructor, State College Martial Arts Academy, State College, PA
1991 Penn State Judo
1992 USA Karate Team Member
1993 Head Instructor, Pittsburgh of CS Kim Karate, Irwin, PA
1994 ITF “Forms Competition”, World Championship Runner-Up
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Outstanding Demonstration Awards
1995 Maryland State Invitational Karate Championships “Grand Champion”, Eagle Classic
2000 Awarded Masters Degree by the International Tang Soo Do Federation
2005 opened South Hills Karate Academy at 4500 Clairton Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15236
2008 Awarded 5th Dan Master Rank by the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association
2005-2009 grew South Hills Karate Academy to over 160 full-time students
2009 Opened 2nd location for South Hills Karate Academy in Elizabeth, PA
2011 Opened New 4,800 square foot South Hills Karate Academy location and MartialFit Training Center

Master Garbowsky Recieves O Dan

Master Garbowsky Recieves O Dan Rank From Grandmaster Ah Po October 25,2008