Tyler Hosch has earned a 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree Black Belt.
Translation? Don’t back him into a corner where he’s forced to practice some of his highly cultivated Korean Taekwondo and Hapkido self-defense moves.
“I always get a lot of reaction when people find out,” the mild-mannered, unassuming 20-year-old Archbishop Rummel High School graduate said. “I’m not one of those kids that look for a fight. In fact, I’ve never been in a fight in my entire life.”
Taekwondo, a Korean art of self defense, that literally means “the art of fighting with the foot and hand,” is widely considered the ultimate discipline in self-defense and physical fitness.
Hapkido, a South Korean discipline combining traditional Japanese martial arts with several traditional Korean martial arts, has 270 basic techniques and 3,864 variants, which give origin to more than 10,000 combinations.
Hosch is looking forward to his 4th degree Black Belt test next summer at his Dojang’s (school’s) Grand Master’s Martial Arts Center in San Diego. Grand Master Young Seok Kim is a 9th degree Black Belt, the founder of the The Joong Do Ryu World Hapkido Federation, and the founder of World Martial Arts in Kenner, LA, where Hosch is an assistant instructor for kids aged 7-18.
Today, the branch school runs under the leadership of Master George Ferris, who’s a 6th Dan Black Belt in both Taekwondo and Hapkido, and Master Candace Frisard, who’s also a 6th Dan Black Belt, a Junior Olympian who won 2 gold medals, and was ranked 5th in the world in the 2008 World Karate Championships.
When Metairie native Hosch earns his “Masters,” he officially becomes a Master. “Master T” is what Hosch hopes to be called, and with a title like that, one could only imagine the limitless responsibilities and rewards it carries.
Hosch started honing his craft 13 years ago at the tender age of 8. He said it’s not unusual for kids that young to start earning “Belts,” and that while parents are motivating their kids to succeed, it’s the kids that have the focus and the drive. From Beginners, White to High Purple Belts, to Intermediates, Green to High Brown Belts, obtaining a Black Belt is the long-term goal and usually takes 5 years of vigorous training to obtain. Hosch said it costs, on average, $120 a month for classes two times week. Add in the cost of testing fees and Doboks (uniforms), you’re looking at a total investment of about $10,000 to earn a Black Belt.
“About 6 months ago, I saw 4 of my students test for their 1st degree Black Belts,” Hosch said. “They were 2 girls and 2 boys, aged between 9 and 12-years-old. During their Belt ceremony each read a letter that they wrote for me saying how much I inspired them and helped them train to achieve this goal. It was such a special moment. They all look up to me, and that’s such an honor.
“Martial arts have taught me many things,” he said. “Not only do you learn to kick and punch but you learn courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and wisdom. Working with younger students teaches you lots of patience, and it takes a lot of self-control to keep a class in order and keep young students focused on you. Interacting with the kids and their parents, I’ve also learned how I want to be as a parent, when I have my own kids one day.”
Hosch is also the head instructor of Taekwondo at Lakeview Creative Arts in New Orleans. There, he teaches “Little Dragons,” kids as young as 3, and other students, up to 12-years-old, moves like Yeop Chagis, side kicks, Joo Chum Ceogi, horse stance and Nak Bups, rolling techniques.
Hosch said he earns about $12,000 a year as a full-time instructor overseeing the martial arts development of 60 students Monday through Thursdays at both facilities, but speculates you could earn much more as a Master, if you owned your own school.
It’s a goal he’s actively pursuing. Hosch said he will graduate next summer from Delgado Community College with an associate’s degree in Business Administration and plans to transfer to UNO to pursue his BA in Business Administration. He wants to open up his own Dojang, teach full time and even pursue another business degree in health care administration in the future.
Between school and teaching breaking wood techniques and how to master martial arts weapons, Hosch is also the office manager at Capitano’s Tennis and Athletic Club in Metairie, LA, which is owned by his grandfather and uncle.
It takes discipline to juggle such an ambitious schedule, but discipline is what it takes to earn a Black Belt. Candidates have to meditate and fast for 36 hours. Drinking water and/ or broth is acceptable and young kids are allowed 1 32-oz. yogurt smoothie, but apart from that, no food is allowed during this time of reflection that ends with a 5-hour meditation session and 365 Myeongsangs, or ceremonial squats.
It’s something Hosch did, and his Dad, too, who’s a 2nd degree Black Belt.
Hosch, who has a tattoo of “Taekwondo” written in Korean on his ribs, is a big believer in the benefits of the martial arts – physical aptitude, mental awakening, confidence, leadership, patience and respect.
“It’s a passion of mine,” he said. “It keeps me going.”
Tyler Hosch
(504) 220-9918
Lakeview Creative Arts
6512 Spanish Fort Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70124
(504) 288-3124
World Martial Arts
111 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70062
(504) 888-KICK (5425)
