Master Tom Balmos was promoted to 9th Dan by the International Martial Arts Council of America, July 23, 2016, and is a member of the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
The Grand Masters relationship with the martial arts began in 1969 when he began his study Tae Kwon Do. He also has had training in Kempo, Hapkido, Shotokan, Judo, and even trained with a professional boxer. He entered training with Grand Master James Cummings, Jr. in late 1976. In 1977, he met Johnny “Lightfoot” Thompson and the duo eventually received national recognition from Black Belt Magazine and Karate Illustrated for their two-man weapons Kata.
Master Balmos is owner and operator of Actor’s Studio of San Antonio, where he teaches acting for film, theater, and commercials. He has done numerous TV commercials, but the most memorable ones were the ones he did as one of the “Bud Girls” in the “Girls Night Out” series for Bud Light.
He serves on the Board of Directors at S.T.A.G.E. Theater in Bulverde. Tom has also written and directed two short movies, the last of which was shown at the independent filmmaker’s international film festival.
Tom and his wife, Janice, have been married over 36 years. They have two daughters and a grandson
Master Balmos is honored to serve as vice president of the Tang Soo Do Karate Association and hopes to be a contributing factor in it’s development and growth.