Master Robert Grissom
Master Robert Grissom began his martial arts training in 1980 in Walla Walla, Washington, under the instruction of Mr. John Malloy. In 1981, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where he continued his training under Master Darryl Khalid, earning his 1st Gup (red belt with stripe). During his time in the Marines, he also began teaching self-defense classes in California and expanded his training to include Aikido and Hapkido.
In 1984, Master Grissom earned his Cho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) under Master Khalid. In 1986, he and his wife moved to South Carolina, where they welcomed their first child and established their first studio, the Martial Arts Academy of Tang Soo Do.
After completing eight years of honorable service in the Marine Corps, Master Grissom and his family relocated to Minnesota, where they continued training under Master Bob Willis. In 1992, they opened a new studio, Circle Pines Karate Institute, named after their community. In 1998, Master Grissom was promoted to Sah Dan (4th Degree Black Belt), Master, at the World Championships.
Following this achievement, he transitioned ownership of the studio to his wife, Master Teresa Grissom, and supported her as she earned her Sah Dan rank. In 2009, Master Grissom was appointed Regional Director for Region 3. The following year, he was invited to test for his Oh Dan (5th Degree Black Belt) and was promoted at the 2012 World Championships. Around this time, the studio name was changed to MG Karate.
Master Grissom continued his advancement in the art and was promoted to Yuk Dan (6th Degree Black Belt) at the 2018 World Championships. In 2025, he stepped down from his role as Region 3 Director.
Due to his professional work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Master Grissom later transferred ownership of his studio to his senior student, Mr. Michael Grothe, who renamed it from MG Karate back to Martial Arts Academy of Tang Soo Do, MN. His daughter and son-in-law also established Martial Arts Academy of Tang Soo Do, AZ, continuing the family’s martial arts legacy.