RICHARD M. 'DOC' SOOS

* Master Instructor and Practitioner of SUZITO Martial Arts *

Presently Richard is now a Master Instructor and Practitioner of a style called Suzito Martial Arts, the Way of the Wave. Suzito incorporates teachings from many styles learned since 1980 while in Florida, Korea and Guam. The power comes from an idea of natural forces seen all over the world. Picture a calm ocean view, then a swelling starts to appear, it flows with the surface until it nears land. If you are standing in the water at this time, you will feel it pull your legs then push your chest. This is the same way that a lot of self defense moves are put together. They almost always start by destroying the attacker’s balance, then control and pounce on specific pressure areas that would cause the most damage or pain. Suzito concentrates on pressure points, bone breaking, joint manipulation, locking and weaponry. Richard taught his style in connection with other instructors at Shaw AFB, Sumter and Dalzell since 1994, plus had his own Studio on pinewood road in Sumter as well as teaching privately at student’s homes, churches and parks. He now only teaches privately, normally to executives, lawyers, doctors and such.

In 1980-83 Richard was in Florida where he first started to started learning Shotokan-Ryu He then traveled to Korea from 1983-84 where he found the most well rounded martial art form in down town Kunsan called Kuk Sool Won which he combined lessons from on base instruction of Hap-Ki-Do. In 1984-86 he traveled back to Florida learning Yoshukai Karate. He traveled again back to Korea in 1986-89 and continued lessons in Kuk Sool Won, Hap-Ki-Do, Hwa-Rang-Do, Tang-Soo-Do, Tae Kwon Do & Private Instruction with neighboring 8th degree master. During this time he visited Philippines where a guy with a stick attacked him. Richard immediately disarmed him, turned and ran to a more populated area. He then traveled to Guam in 1989-93 where he studied Tae Kwon Do WTF version, Five Animal Fist Kung Fu, Kali, Jeet Kun Do and Nin-Jitsu. This is also where he started forming and teaching his methods which became known as Suzito. While there and sitting peacefully near a beach park, 3 people approached him; one pulled a knife and asked for his wallet. He pulled out his wallet and in a split second was sitting on top of attacker looking at the other two, which turned and left the scene. Richard released his attacker and kept the weapon as a souvenir as he did the stick from the Philippines attack. 

Suzito = 5th degree - Master Instructor - Kwan Jang Nim

Kuk Sool Won = 3rd degree - Puh Sa Bum Nim

Hap Ki Do = 3rd degree - Puh Sa Bum Nim

Tae Kwon Do WTF = 1st degree - Jo Kyo Nim

Familiarized, Trained or Honorary Instructor in Hwa-Rang-Do, Tang-Soo-Do, Five Animal Fist Kung Fu, Kali, Jeet Kun Do, Nin-Jitsu, Shotokan-Ryu, Yoshukai Karate, Goju-Ryu and Kamishin-Ryu.

He came to Sumter, SC in 1993 where he started teaching and learning with fellow instructors of Goju-Ryu, Kamishin-Ryu and more whenever possible while sharing any of his knowledge to all who wishes to learn. He also instructed many students at his studio in which two have been assaulted and walked away leaving their attackers with nothing but trouble