Michael Tang
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230 pounds
Birthplace: Bristol, Conn.
Coach: Jean Lopez
Dojang: New England Sports Association/Team New England (Haverhill, Mass.)
DID YOU KNOW?: Michael originally trained in Kung Fu and Tai Chi under his father in Hong Kong & is a 4th degree Black Belt...He became interested in Taekwondo at the age of 20 after watching the movie "Best of the Best"...Started training in 1993 under Grandmaster S.W. Park of Portsmouth, N.H....Michael is a 3-time U.S. National Champion, 2000 U.S. Collegiate National Team member, 2003-2004 U.S. National Team Member, 1999-2000 Olympic Training Center Resident Athlete, and 2001-2004 Athlete Advisory Council Representative....Michael also had a key role in developing and creating the interactive Taekwondo program TKD3D...he is the head coach of the Harvard University Taekwondo team and was recently named as Regional Programs & Development Advisor for USA Taekwondo.
DEDICATION: For many years Michael used to drive 4 hrs. each way to train with 1992 Olympic gold medalist Herb Perez. Also trained with 2000 Olympic Head Coach Young In Cheon from 1998-99.
FAVORITE TRAINING EXPERIENCE?: "Playing soccer everyday was the best cross training. While on the U.S. Team, I lived in Sugar Land, Texas, training with 2004 U.S. Olympic Coach Jean Lopez, Master Paris Amani & the rest of the ELITE Team.
BACK HOME: Oldest of seven children (5 sisters and one brother), three of whom are Taekwondo Black Belts. In the summer of 2000 Michael taught Taekwondo to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team as a part of the U.S Team's cross training program. Michael currently trains athletes in New England. He also owns and operates Tang's Olympic Taekwondo and has formed his own Taekwondo team...Team New England, creating and training National Champions with the support of other TKD schools in his region. Michael credits Taekwondo and his instructors/mentors with changing the direction and focus of his life. In his spare time Michael enjoys filming, editing, photograpy, watching movies, cooking, EATING and being with family and friends.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed" - Theodore Roosevelt
Competition Record:
2006 Senior National Team Trials (Heavy): 4th
2006 U.S. National Qualifier - Dallas (Heavy): GOLD
2005 U.S. Senior Nationals (Heavy): SILVER
2005 Senior National Team Trials (Heavy): BRONZE
2004 U.S. Senior Nationals (Heavy): BRONZE
2003 World Championships Team Member (Heavy)
2003 U.S. National Championships (Heavy): GOLD
2003 U.S. National Team Trials (Heavy): GOLD
2003 Korea Open (Heavy): SILVER
2002 Puerto Rico Open (Heavy): GOLD
2001 U.S. Open (Heavy): SILVER
2001 U.S. National Championships (Heavy): GOLD
2001 U.S. National Team Trials (Heavy): SILVER
2000 National Collegiate Team Trials (Heavy): GOLD
2000 World University Championships (Heavy): Team Member
2000 U.S. National Championships (Heavy): BRONZE
1999 U.S. Open (Heavy): SILVER
1999 U.S. Olympic Weight Division Tournament (Heavy): BRONZE
1999 U.S. National Team Trials (Heavy): BRONZE
1999 National Collegiate Championships (Heavy): GOLD
1998 U.S. National Championships (Heavy): SILVER
1998 U.S. National Team Trials (Heavy): BRONZE
last updated 12/6/07
