Joe Goss Karate School was opened in Johnstown in 1974 by Master Joe Goss, Sr. The school specializes in Tang Soo Do style karate, a traditional Korean form of martial art for children, teens, and adults. Techniques from both Hapkido and Judo are also utilized.
- Master Goss Sr., 9th degree Black Belt, and head instructor.
- Master Joe Goss Jr., 8th degree Black Belt instructing.
The combined experience of these two Masters totals over 105 years of martial arts excellence! Your training, therefore, is unparalleled in Johnstown or the surrounding area! More than 7,000 students have trained at the Joe Goss Karate schools with more than 600 of those students reaching the rank of black belt. That is quite a testament to the excellence, experience, and expertise you will find here.
Master Joe Goss, Sr.
OVER 60 YEARS OF MARTIAL ARTS EXPERIENCE
Master Joe Goss, Sr. commenced his training in Judo and Karate at the age of 14. During his service in the Air Force, he trained in Los Angeles, California, under the renowned Karate Master Hidetaka Nishiyama. Following this, he moved to Germany, where he served as the chief instructor for both Judo and Karate at Bitburg Air Base.
After returning to Johnstown in 1970, Master Goss conducted martial arts classes at the YMCA until he established his own school.
As a Ninth Degree Black Belt with over 60 years of martial arts experience, Master Goss trained in Tang Soo Do under Grandmaster C.S. Kim for more than 40 years. On May 20, 1995, he was honored as "Martial Artist of the Year" by an election committee of Korean Grandmasters, making him the first non-Asian recipient of this esteemed award.
Master Goss and Grandmaster C.S. Kim co-authored the book "Authentic Tang Soo Do," published in 1998. Both Joe Goss Sr. and Joe Goss Jr. were featured in the Fall 1996 issue of Traditional Tang Soo Do magazine. Master Goss served as vice president of the International Tang Soo Do Federation for over 20 years and currently holds the position of President of Tang Soo Do Unlimited.
Master Joe Goss, Jr.
OVER 45 YEARS OF MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING
Master Joe Goss Jr. commenced his Tang Soo Do training at the age of six and achieved the rank of First Degree Black Belt by the age of nine. At 19, he attained the rank of Master (4th Degree Black Belt), making him the youngest individual to receive this honor in the International Tang Soo Do Federation's history.
By the age of 13, Master Goss Jr. was already serving as an assistant instructor at his father's karate school. At 18, he took on the role of the sole instructor for a credit course at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. In 1995, he established his own martial arts school in the Richland area of Johnstown.
Throughout his extensive 45+ year career in martial arts, Master Goss Jr. has participated in numerous tournaments at local, national, and international levels, securing countless first place and grand champion awards. Notably, in 1992, he coached the sparring team from the Joe Goss Karate School, which won the first place trophy at the International Tang Soo Do World Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2019, Master Goss Jr. was elevated to the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt by Joe Goss Sr., the President of Tang Soo Do Unlimited and Grandmaster Frederick Scott, the President and Founder of Amkor Karate. He currently serves as the Vice President of Tang Soo Do Unlimited.
Master Joe Goss, Jr.
OVER 45 YEARS OF MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING
Master Joe Goss Jr. commenced his Tang Soo Do training at the age of six and achieved the rank of First Degree Black Belt by the age of nine. At 19, he attained the rank of Master (4th Degree Black Belt), making him the youngest individual to receive this honor in the International Tang Soo Do Federation's history.
By the age of 13, Master Goss Jr. was already serving as an assistant instructor at his father's karate school. At 18, he took on the role of the sole instructor for a credit course at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. In 1995, he established his own martial arts school in the Richland area of Johnstown.
Throughout his extensive 45+ year career in martial arts, Master Goss Jr. has participated in numerous tournaments at local, national, and international levels, securing countless first place and grand champion awards. Notably, in 1992, he coached the sparring team from the Joe Goss Karate School, which won the first place trophy at the International Tang Soo Do World Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2019, Master Goss Jr. was elevated to the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt by Joe Goss Sr., the President of Tang Soo Do Unlimited and Grandmaster Frederick Scott, the President and Founder of Amkor Karate. He currently serves as the Vice President of Tang Soo Do Unlimited.
