Karate Manual

The standard class edition (soft cover) version, as well as the deluxe hard cover version, of American Kang Duk Won KARATE is available in the Martial Arts Store.

The manual can be purchased at the store, by giving an order form and check to your instructor, or by mail.


(Click here for an order form for the new manual.)

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Calendar Events

(Not included in the Calendar are the dates and topics of the Weapons Seminars and the Watertown Sunday Special Topics Classes.)

March, 2012
Sunday, March 4 - 1:00 p.m.
Brown Belt Meeting at Watertown YMCA
Saturday, March 31 - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
38^th Annual American Kang Duk Won Karate International Championships

Jefferson Community College, Watertown, NY

April, 2012
Sunday, April 15 - 1:00 p.m.
Brown Belt Meeting at Watertown YMCA

June, 2012
Saturday, June 9
Children's Day Camp

Saturday, Sunday, June 9, 10
Jr. Camp

Thursday through Sunday, June 28, 29, 30, July 1
36^th Annual Adult Camp

July, 2012
Thursday through Sunday, June 28, 29, 30, July 1
36^th Annual Adult Camp

September, 2012
Sunday, September 16 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Black Belt Camp, Sixberry Lake

Sunday, September 16 - 3:00 p.m.
Brown Belt Meeting at Black Belt Camp at Sixberry Lake

Master Park Chul Hee Visit

Master Park Chul Hee (the founder of Kang Duk Won as one of the original schools of Tae Kwon Do in the early 1950's) visited the Main Dojang of American Kang Duk Won during his current trip to the United States.  He arrived in New York State the first week of January and contacted Master Robert Lawlor concerning his visit to Watertown, NY.  More information about Master Park's visit is given here.

2012 AKDWK Annual Tournament

Saturday, March 31 - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
38th American Kang Duk Won International Championships 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

at Jefferson Community College, Outer Coffeen Street, Watertown, NY USA
Schedule of Events
10:00 a.m. - Bow-In, Competitors Orientation
10:30 a.m. - Kata (Empty Hand Forms) and Weapons Forms
1:30 p.m. - Demonstrations by Black Belts
3:00 p.m. - Sparring Competition
Competitors Tournament application Competitors Tournament application
Tournament KATA Presentation Procedure: Tournament KATA Procedure
Competitors Information Competitors Information
(Click here for photos and videos from last year's tournament.)

Watertown Special Topics Class

New Winter/Spring 2012 schedule has been posted.
The Special Topics Classes are held on Mondays at the Home Dojang. Time 6:30 - 8:00 PM.
The class on the first Monday of each month will be a Free Fighting (Sparring) Class. See schedule.

Honorary Black Belt

Master Robert Lawlor presented Robyn Bartlett with a certificate as an Honorary Black Belt of American Kang Duk Won Karate at the recent Instructor's Meeting January, 15, 2012. Robyn is owner of Johnny D's restaurant in the Historic Paddock Arcade and has supported the organization in many ways by special openings of the diner, participating in AKDW activities, etc. Her generous support of AKDW is most appreciated. Thank you Robyn.

Robyn Bartlett and Master Lawlor

Brown Belt Meetings - 2012

Watertown, Main Dojang, YMCA - 1:00 p.m.
January 15
March 4
April 15
September 16 (3:00 - 4:00 PM at the Black Belt Camp at Sixberry Lake)

Children's Christmas Clinic 2011

For Boys and Girls - ages 6 to 13
December 10 and 11 (overnight)
at the YMCA, Watertown, NY

An eager group of children attended the clinic. They practised forms, worked on breaking tchniques, relaxed in the pool, tumbling, along with other sessions and were given a special treat by a visit from Santa. Another very special treat was a visit by Deputy Sheriff Shaun Cuddeback and his police dog K9 Liberty of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

(Click the image for a larger view.)

Festival of Trees 2011 - Wrap Up

The Festival of Trees was Dec 2 to Dec 5 to benefit the Samaritan Foundation and the Watertown Family YMCA. Each year AKDW members help with the setup of the trees, and at the end of the festival with the wrapping up of the fully decorated trees in preparation for their delivery to their buyers.
Click here for a story on the festival in the Watertown Daily Times.
Click here for pictures of the trees and the wrap up.

The annual Creepy Creatures Haunted House was held in The Historic Paddock Arcade, in downtown Watertown, New York on two weekends prior to Halloween, Friday and Saturday October 21, 22 and 28, 29, 2011.

The theme for the Haunted House has always been to honor the "Classic Masters of Fright." These Classic Masters might be from memorable short stories, books, or the movies. The exhibits are developed and staffed by members of American Kang Duk Won. Guides escort visitors in small groups and provide commentary for total enjoyment and safety. Visitors of all ages are welcome, even small children, as the intent is for excitement, intrigue, and fun, not gross horror.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2011, the Watertown Daily Times had an almost full page story, with pictures and interviews, on the first page of the Currents section. In case you missed it, here is a link to the article on the Watertown Daily Times web site

On Friday, October 28, 2011, the Watertown Daily Times published the following picture in a large format in the Currents section. (Unfortunately, this is a digital picture reproduction and is not the quality of the picture in the paper.)


"Dr. Jekyll creates a potion in his lab last weekend at the haunted house
in the Historic Paddock Arcadee in downtobr Watertown.
Creepy characters, monsters, and spooks return to their haunts again this weekend
from 7 to10 p.m. today and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday."

The cast at the end on the final night of the production - Saturday, October 29, 2011.
A job well done by all! Congratulations!!
A special thank you to Master Carpenter who helped organize and oversaw the entire operation.

Black Belt Camp 2011

The 7th Annual Black Belt Camp was held September 18 at Sixberry Lake. The day was perfect, sunny and warm. Many black belts were in attendance and worked practicing skills, learning new techniques, and having fun. (Imagine Black Belts on tricycles!) Immediately following the camp, the September Brown Belt Meeting was held.
(Click the image for a larger view.)
Group picture of the participants.

A few pictures from the 2011 Black Belt Camp are given here: 2011 Black Belt Camp pictures

New Class

A new class to be held at the Fairgrounds YMCA is starting with the first class to be held on October 5, 2011. Class time is 12:00 (noon) to 1:30 p.m.

Black Belt Weekly Workouts

The Black Belt Workouts will started Saturday November 12, 2011. The classes are held at the Main Dojang 6:30 - 8:00 PM.

2011 Summer Karate Camps

Children's Karate Camps

The camps were a huge success with all participants having a good time. The weather cooperated quite nicely giving cloudy, but comfortable day temperaturatures.

(Click the image for a larger view.)
Group photo of all participants in the two camps: The Day Camp and the Weekender

Day Camp for 6 - 9 year olds - Saturday, June 11
The Weekender (Jr. Camp) for 10 - 13 year olds - Saturday & Sunday, June 11 & 12





34th Annual AKDW Adult Karate Camp

The Adult Camp - Thursday - June 30, July 1, 2, & 3

Pictures from all of the camps are being collected and posted at the following link as they beome available.
Click here for pictures from the 2011 Camps.

AKDW Flag Located

If you were at camp, or just took a close look at the photo of the Jr Camp attendees in the above photo, you noticed the left-most flag pole was devoid of a flag. Only two flags were flown - the United States and the Canadian national flags. The AKDW flag which is usually flown was missing. It turns out it was missing with official approval.

AKDW member CW4 Michael Pracht was given special permission to take, and display the flag when appropriate, while deployed in Afghanistan. He has been able to fly the flag on a mission, and is planning, when they have decent weather, to run it up the main flag pole at FOB Salerno base in Afghanistan, and is also planning to fly the AKDW flag on the September 11th anniversary of the New York City terrorist attack.

A picture of the AKDW flag in CW4 Pracht's capable hands at FOB Salerno, Afghanistan is given below.


(Click the image for a larger view.) The following are in the photo: CW4 Pracht; Pilot in Command, 1-10 Attack, 10th Combat Aviation; and from the Wyoming National Guard MEDEVAC C Company 5-159th: CW2 Atencio, Pilot; SPC Buettner, Crew Chief; SFC Kowlock, Flight Medic; SGT Monnin, Flight Medic

2011 AKDW Annual Tournament

On Saturday, March 26th, 2011, American Kang Duk Won Karate conducted its 37th Annual International Championships at Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY. Over two hundred competitors representing twenty-five class locations (USA/Canada) participated in empty-hand & weapons kata and sparring divisions for novice through advanced brown belts levels.


2011 AKDW Karate Tournament Bow-in


The American Kang Duk Won Karate Tournament is one of the longest running traditional martial arts competitions on the East Coast. The event is coordinated by Master Robert Lawlor, president of AKDWK, and directed by the school's Master Instructors. Fifty Black Belt instructors were on hand to perform demonstrations and to judge throughout the day.

This year dual awards were made for Karateka of the Year for 2010 to Mr. John Rupp and Mrs. Elinore Rupp, Black Belt Instructors at the Madrid and Canton Dojangs, respectively.




Karatekas of the Year
Mr. John Rupp and Mrs. Elinore Rupp
with
Master Frank Palumbo and Master Robert Lawlor

Congratulations and much appreciation to all members of American Kang Duk Won Karate, parents and families, and the staff of Jefferson College who helped in making this year's tournament an outstanding success!

(Click here for photos and videos from the tournament.)

AKDWK Junior Demo Team 2010-2011

The new members of the Junior Demo Team have been selected, have practiced, and are giving presentations in the area.

(Click the image for a larger view.)

AKDWK Honored by Downtown Business Association

American Kang Duk Won Karate under the leadership of Master Robert C. Lawlor was recently honored by the Watertown Downtown Business Association as being the outstanding Organization of the Fall Season. The AKDWK and Master Lawlor were recognized for conducting many events throughout the greater Watertown area and for the programs offered at the YMCA, the institutions of higher education, Jefferson Community College, Queen's University, St. Lawrence University and all other school and public community facilities. Of course, this honor could not be achieved without the tremendous participation by all the Black Belts and students in the organization. Congratulations to everyone!

New Black Belts

Three students successfully completed their Black Belt test on Saturday, April 17 and were presented with their Black Belts on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at a luncheon in the Black River Valley Club.
Congratulations to:
Richard Adams, Phil Widrick, and David Champagne


Standing: Master Beyer, Master Carpenter, Master Shean, Master Robert Lawlor, Master Palumbo,
Master Hintopoulos, and Master Jones
Seated: Richard Adams, Phil Widrick, and David Champagne

New Format for History at Testings

Students testing for green belt and above are required to have a basic knowledge of the history of AKDWK and to exhibit this knowledge at their testing. The history portion of the testing will now consist of the student being asked a question from a list of published questions and their associated answers. The first page of this General History questions and answers is given here. More questions and answers will be added as they are compiled.
General History, page 1

Black Belt Testing and Promotion

39 American Kang Duk Won Karate Black Belts Receive Promotions!

The school's largest testing ever held for various ranks of black belt was conducted in the main dojang at the Watertown, NY, YMCA on Saturday, March 5th.

Master Robert Lawlor, president of AKDWK international programs, presided over the testings. Black Belt instructors representing classes from USA and Canada trained throughout the evening and then were tested on formal exercises and advanced techniques required for the ranks of 2nd degree through 9th degree black belt.



Two pictures are necessary to see all those present.

Congratulations to each Black Belt who successfully attained his or her next rank in "The Arena for the Teaching of Virtue!" Your Spirit, Loyalty, and Virtue allow our tradition to continue in American Kang Duk Won Karate!

New Weapons Seminars Schedule

Many weapons seminars have been scheduled. Keep checking the listing of seminars and dates at Weapons Seminars as additions and time changes do occur.

40th Anniversary of AKDWK

A reporter, Craig Freilich, from the North Country THIS WEEK newspaper recently visited the St. Mary's School, Canton, AKDWK class and interviewed Master Palumbo about the 40 year presence of AKDWK in the North Country. The article with a picture begins on the front page of the April 29 - May 5 issue of North Country THIS WEEK, and concludes on page 10. Both pages are reproduced below. (Click on the images for a larger view.)
For easier reading of the article, click here for the text only.

New Updated and Expanded Classes page

The classes page has been redone to include an interactive map linked to Google Maps. The map has a marker for each class and when expanded and changed to the hybrid view will show the exact location of the class. Clicking on the marker gives the class address and a link to the class schedule on the page. The classes page still has a link from the home page or you can access it by clicking on the following link. New classes page

New General Information Brochure for Prospective Students

A new General Information Brochure (trifold) has been prepared and is available for distribution. Click here to go to the description page to see and download a copy, in pdf format, to print. General Information Brochure

Soldier earns Expert Field Medical Badge

Pfc. Lucas C. Lawlor, son of Master Robert C. Lawlor and Master Cheryl Lawlor has earned the Expert Field Medical Badge. Pfc. Lawlor is a U.S. Army medic assigned to the Aid Station, 529th Regimental Support Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The badge signifies that its wearer is proficient in all things medical. In May, 176 soldiers from bases throughout the world tried to earn the badge during a two-week testing period at Camp Bullis, Texas. 35 Soldiers ultimately earned the badge at the end of the two weeks, one was Pfc. Lucas C. Lawlor. The testing includes a series of realistic scenarios that a medic might go through while in combat, i.e. treating soldiers while under small arms fire, during explosions, through smoke and under nuclear, biological and chemical simulations. Mental and physical skills were tested as well, through a written test, an Army physical fitness test, and a 12-mile road march.
Click here for the full article on the dcmilitary.com website. A picture of Pfc. Lawlor finishing the 12 mile road march is included.

Congratulations Pfc. Lawlor for your accomplishments! Wear the Expert Field Medical Badge proudly and with honor.

New Materials for Instructors

Instructors should note the bullet/link, Instructors Materials, under Information, Equipment, and Related Specialties on the opening page. This page contains the links to new items as well as the registration form.

AKDW Martial Arts Store Hours

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
in the Historic Paddock Arcade, Watertown, NY.

Membership Form Available Online

A membership form in pdf format is now available on the Class Locations and Instructors page. The link is at the very end of the page, or click here for a Membership Form

*AKDWA Titles and Positions:

Chief Master of International programs and President of American Kang Duk Won
Master Robert Lawlor
Senior Master Black Belts and Vice-Presidents, Directors
Master Kenneth Shean
Master Frank Palumbo
Master Cheryl Lawlor
Master Debbie Hintopoulos
Master Black Belts and Instructor Directors
Master Dan Jones
Master Rose Carpenter
Master Lester Beyer
Chief Instructors
Mrs. Charlene Rydgren
Mr. Darren Zehr
Mr. David Dummitt
Mr. Mark Sears
Mr. Ralph Steria
Mr. Keith Sixberry
Mrs. Debbie Beyer

Senior Instructors
Mr. Michael Delouche
Mr. John Langey
Mr. Steven Howard

Congratulations to all of these dedicated martial artists!

The Directors at the 2003 Tournament

For details on any of these events, contact

or email us via this site.