Hall of Famer has 100th tournament

ESSEX, Md. - He used to be the Karate Kid, then he grew up to make the Dundalk Sports Hall of Fame and the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

He has more black belts than Filene's, and this weekend he was in his 100th karate tournament.

Dr. David Grosscup is the teacher, and class was definitely in session yesterday.

"We're teaching life skills, raising school grades, being a role model for a lot of single moms, children, self discipline and self control," says Dr. Grosscup.

Soke as his students call him, held his 100th karate tournament Saturday. "After 44 years, I don't know anyone that has done 100 tournaments anywhere in the world," he said.

That's only part of what he has achieved, the real accomplishments are the lives that he has changed.

Dr. Grosscup says, "some child will come back years later, say you remember me? If it weren't for you I'd be in the gutter, if it weren't for you I'd have been on drugs, and that's where the self satisfaction comes in."

Chuck Kain has been a student of Davids' for 13 years now and agrees that if it wasn't for David's teaching through martial arts, things would be much different.

"He's always been there to guide me in the right direction, but it's been martial arts that he's taught to me, the upbringing the respectability," says Chuck.

And so they compete on the gym floor, some learning about the glories of victory. Others, the sorrow of defeat.

All of they are now pointed to a brighter future, thanks to Dr. Grosscup.