Region 20
Our region includes over ten schools ranging from Pasadena, California in the North to Chula Vista, California in the South.
History of Region 20
Region 20 was established in 2001. Before, Region 20 was a part of Region 1 which included all of California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. Now, Region 20 consists of Southern California and South Western Arizona. In 2002 the first Region 20 Championship was formed. Region 20 is the proud home to our very own BKCN Larry D’Ercole and both the first ever Male World Champion, Chil Dan Master Kenneth D. Purnell, and the first ever Female World Champion, Yuk Dan Master Clare Marsch. Since its establishment, Region 20 has grown to over 10 schools with 14 masters and many more instructors.
BKCN Larry D’Ercole
Region 20 proudly celebrates a truly historic milestone in the lifelong martial arts journey of Master Larry Dercole. At the 2026 World Tang Soo Do Association World Championship, Master Dercole was promoted to Pahl Dan (8th Dan), Assistant Grandmaster – Boo Kwan Chang Nim. This extraordinary honor recognizes more than five decades of unwavering dedication to Tang Soo Do, exceptional leadership, and a lifetime devoted to developing students and instructors throughout our region and beyond.
