– Pioneering Koren Martial Arts in Guyana

Guyana’s only Tang Soodo instructor, Roland Eudoxie, brought the Korean form of martial arts to the country some seven years ago. As he was being trained in the United States, but when in Guyana, he taught others to practice.Roland began teaching proper two years ago and subsequently opened his own school, located at the National Gymnasium. He is the Director and Chief Instructor of Tang Soodo International Guyana, an official school of Team Torres Martial Arts.
Eudoxie, 32, who was born at Busby Dam, Craig Village, East Bank Demerara, but grew up at Port Kaituma, North West District, was taught Tang Soodo by Grandmaster and Head of the North American Federation of Martial Arts Jose Torres.
“Tang Soodo is a Korean form of martial arts and we all in Guyana are aware of Shoto Kan Karate so we are trying to bring something new to Guyana. Tang Soodo is 200 years old or more and is widely known in the US, Europe, and other places,” he explained.
In an interview at the Chronicle, Eudoxie, an ex-soldier who spent time in the Guyana National Service and Guyana Defence Force, said he teaches Tang Soodo to kids on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, and adults from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
“I am the first person who brought it to Guyana and I was trained both in theory and practical for a couple of years. I was teaching and training so that I could get practice. I have been doing Tang Soodo for seven years but started teaching it two years ago. There was a number of exams that I had to pass and I did with flying colours because this is something that I really wanted and I dedicated myself to it.”

Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee
Eudoxie, father of Xavier and De’Andre, said growing up, his movie icons were Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. “During my small days, you’re rolling down the hills, flipping… and I actually starting boxing, but my desire was to be a martial artist.”
Although Eudoxie has his own school, it still falls under the Tang Soodo head organization in Korea. Kids are the main focus for Eudoxie. “We noticed that here in Guyana, there is a great need for placing interest in kids because some of them are out of school. We are trying to curb crime and prevent too. When kids are idle, as the saying goes, the devil finds time things for them to do. And we don’t leave out the adults because they are the ones influence the kids.”

Eudoxie, also the Tang Soodo Caribbean Director, said this form of martial arts is different, widespread and recognized. “Tang Soodo is fun and it allows you to keep focused. You learn self-discipline, control, to relax, to keep focused, and to approach life in a different manner. What we teach is discipline. That’s the main thing; not only to kick, punch, and beat on each other. And when children start young, they grow up with discipline.”
Financing is always a problem at the school and its greatest challenge is sponsorship. However, although much more can be done for Tang Soodo on the part of the government, Eudoxie said he is grateful for whatever help they already provide.