CUONG NHU, INC.
FRANKLIN, TN

Cuong Nhu Cuong Nhu Martial Arts Association is a federally recognized non-profit educational organization. Cuong Nhu is a martial art that blends the basic elements of a number of different styles. Cuong Nhu has its roots in Shotokan Karate and combines aspects of Aikido, Judo, Wing Chun, Vovinam, Tai Chi Chuan, and Boxing. It is this blending of hard and soft styles from which Cuong Nhu (pronounced Kung New) derives its name, which is Vietnamese for Hard (Cuong) - Soft (Nhu). Cuong Nhu was brought to the United States in 1971, when Grandmaster Ngo Dong came to the University of Florida to earn his Ph.D. While there he founded the Cuong Nhu Karate Club. This club quickly grew into the largest intramural club on campus, with over two hundred students participating. Another school, the Center, was then established in Gainesville to serve people of all ages outside the university community. Head of Cuong Nhu The headquarters of the style was originally relocated to Gainesville Florida in 1977, following a daring escape from Vietnam by Ngo Dong and his family. Many of the early students from these schools went on to establish their own Cuong Nhu dojos after leaving Gainesville, thus spreading the style all over the United States and around the world. Grandmaster Ngo Dong was succeeded by his son, Grandmaster Quynh Ngo as the Head of Cuong Nhu Martial Arts.The Cuong Nhu World headquarters is now permanently located in Jacksonville, Florida. Cuong Nhu Belt Ranks The Cuong Nhu colored belts and stripes denote the level and accomplishments of the wearer. According to tradition, the progression of belt colors represents the life cycle of a TREE. Sensei Ngo Dong founded Cuong Nhu Martial Arts in 1965 in Hue, Vietnam. To build a strong moral and spiritual foundation for his style, Grand Master Dong interjected his personal philosophy of self-improvement, community service, and love and respect for others. In Vietnam, Cuong Nhu was more than just another form of martial art. It provided an ideological touchstone for its students, young people who had grown up in a sadly disjointed, war-torn society that was hard-pressed to meet their spiritual needs. Grandmaster Dong taught martial arts techniques to help his students build themselves up physically, mentally, and spiritually so they could lead full, complete lives. rand Master Dong married Chau Thanh Nu Ton in 1963 and had four children that were born in Hue, Vietnam. In the tradition of early martial arts masters, Grand Master Dong was a family man, civic leader, scientist and author. He earned two degrees, in Biology and Chemistry, in Vietnam and served as professor of Biology at the University of Hue from 1961 to 1971. After the devastating 1968 Tet offensive, he organized a civil defense organization, The People's Self-Defense Forces of Hue, to help protect the public from the random violence spawned by the war. His organization engaged some 25,000 people in a program of karate, games and friendly competition to rebuild morale and spirit. He was devoted to the development of Cuong Nhu and the personal growth of thousands of students. n 1971, he traveled to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Florida. In September 1971, during his post-graduate studies, Grand Master Dong opened the first Cuong Nhu Karate Club in the United States. Within two years, it grew into the largest intramural organization on campus. In the spring of 1973, the Cuong Nhu Karate Association, with a permanent board of directors, was incorporated to ensure continuity and uniformly high standards of instruction. Grand Master Dong earned his doctorate in three years and returned to Vietnam in 1974. He was then appointed president of Da Nang College. An outspoken opponent of communism, Grand Master Dong was placed under house arrest by the communist government of Vietnam in 1975. He and his Family later took the tremendous risk of escaping by boat to Indonesia. They finally arrived in the United States in November 1977, on Homecoming Day at the University of Florida. Grand Master Dong served as president of the Cuong Nhu Martial Arts Association, an international organization that oversees the development of Cuong Nhu. In Vietnam, he published books on subjects ranging from martial arts philosophy and technique to flower arrangement. Master Dong was also an accomplished runner. Discovering the joys of running in 1986, he soon completed his first two marathons, which he ran on consecutive weekends. His first ultra-marathon was the 100-mile Western States run in Squaw Valley, California. He ultimately completed 23 marathons, eight 50-mile ultra-marathons and fourteen 100-mile ultra-marathons. n May 15, 2000, O Sensei Ngo Dong passed peacefully on from this life. Three sons, a daughter and seven grandchildren survive him. His many Cuong Nhu students are all deeply touched by his spirit and honored to have shared in his life. O: No, no forget. It means that they can not product (produce) anything, poor, poor. O: Help poor people and help their families. Try to do something good. O: Not strong. Not the best one. Number two or something. Sometime we could not get number two, we get number three. For the high rank they have to do bam, bam, bam…three bricks just do it instead of like here you get this one. In Vietnam you have to do it yourself. No body could help you. O: Yeah, definitely. It’s evolution. So that we had to… all kind of techniques will be changed whenever something coming up. For example, they ask when come to United States, big buy. I’m afraid of guy 250 lbs. How you deal. I know that you break a board, but does it work. I said it works all the time. So don’t worry about it. You just train. And maybe 10 more years you will be myself now. Just try. Don’t ask questions. In Vietnam, no question. Because we said OK I can teach you. I want you to learn instead of, I give all the things to you. So, that’s no good for you. You have to work more and talk less. That’s what wrong. American student they always want to (question) because it’s new. They want to ask. I say you have to do at least 20 times or something and then you learn something more and then you get more things, knowledge instead of ask. When you research to you. You rely on yourself until 3 months and you stop, quit you see and then I will (not?) help you. It means I don’t want to have spoon feeding. They have to do. They have to sweat. They have to work very hard.