SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Most people recognize Chuck Norris as an American martial artist and actor. He is probably most famous for starring in the action series “Walker, Texas Ranger.” The show was very successful in the ratings throughout its run, and it is why most people recognize his name. Norris is a black belt in Tang Soo Do.

Chuck Norris received his first black belt while he was stationed in Korea with the Air Force.  He received his black belt from Grandmaster Jae C. Shin, who later came to America and founded the World Tang Soo Do Association.  

It is hard to believe that a Korean martial art is associated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; nevertheless, Sacramento Elks is home to a martial arts club called the Chung Shin Tang Soo Do. The BPOE, also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks, is an American fraternal order founded in 1868, originally as a social club in New York City. In Sacramento, Elks Lodge No. 6 is located in the Greenhaven/Pocket neighborhood at 6446 Riverside Blvd. Most people who drive by the Lodge have no idea that the Lodge has a martial arts club and an indoor swimming pool, handball courts, and a gym.

Chung Shin Tang Soo Do is a member school of the World Tang Soo Do Association, and the Chief Instructor, Master Brian Olden, was also a student of Grandmaster Shin.

Four members of Elks 6’s Chung Shin Tang Soo Do went to Fortuna, California, in early May for the Tang Soo Do Association Region 1 tournament, which was for Northern California and the western states.

Not only did each of Elks 6’s four participants medal in each of their events, but Brian Olden was awarded the Master of the Year for Region 1. 

The head of the World Tang Soo Do Association, Grandmaster William Strong, came all the way from the East Coast to present Olden with his sixth degree black belt, making him a Senior Master. James Nevans, one of the four Elks 6 attendees, said, “I believe this makes Master Olden the only Senior Master to be running a do jang (formal training hall) in the region.”

James Nevans was Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge 6 in 2020-21. He has a brother, John Paul Pressburg-Nevans, who has been a member of the Lodge for four years. At the Region 1 tournament, John placed first in weapons, second in forms, and tied with his brother James for third in free fighting.

The free fighting was open for green to red belts above age 18. The brothers are right in the middle as brown belts, which is where weapons training begins.

John’s wife Sharon finished second in free fighting. She also took third in forms for white and orange belts. Last year she and Dr. Kelly Byam finished first and second. Dr. Byam was an Elks 6 trustee until she sold her Abel Pet Clinic in Elk Grove. She has retired and splits her retirement time between San Diego and Oregon.

John and Sharon’s five-year-old daughter Ellie was back for the second time at the Region 1 tournament. She received a first-place medal for forms and modified free fighting. 

Elks 6’s Chung Shin Tang Soo Do holds classes every Monday for one hour starting at 5 p.m. The cost to Elks members is free of charge for them and family members participating with them. There is a nominal cost for a uniform and testing. Elks 6 has two other students currently in the class. They are Becky Buckman and Betsy Vu.

Elks 6’s Master Olden can be reached at [email protected]. James Nevans said, “Brian has been a member of Elks 6 for six years. He is a veteran and an all-around nice guy of good character.”