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Martial Arts: Hapkido

Hapkido is a Korean martial art, and combines techniques from Karate, Aikido and Judo. It also draws influence from other native Korean martial arts. Characteristic for Hapkido are the wrist locks and throws that can look quite spectacular. Hapkido uniforms are available in white and black and have a characteristic diamond pattern.

Developed in the 1940s and 50s, its founder Grandmaster Choi had learned martial arts first in Japan, in a school of Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, an ancient form of Jujutsu that was practiced mostly by Samurai.

On Choi’s return to Korea, he added many techniques to defend against particular types of attacks, and borrowed heavily from other styles. The name of what is known as Hapkido today changed several times, and famous students of Choi such as Ji Han Jae continued to develop the art and were instrumental in bringing Hapkido to the west, where it was taught to FBI and other US government agencies.

hapkido bruce leeDuring this time Ji Han Jae met Bruce Lee, who was very impressed with the techniques of Hapkido. Ji Han Jae coached Bruce Lee, who then went on and incorporated certain aspects of Hapkido into the development of his own emerging style, Jeet Kune Do.

Origin of Hapkido: Korea

Founder of Hapkido: Yong Shui Choi (also known as Choi Yong Sul)

Popularised by: Grandmaster Ji Han Jae (Founder of Sin Moo Hapkido) in the unfinished “Game of Death” movie by Bruce Lee


Ji Han Jae - Hapkido

62 Responses to “Hapkido”

  1. K. Scott Roberts Says:

    Greetings, I am a 5th dan black belt (44 years old) who has studied under Grand Master Jung Bia Lee, who in turn has studied with Choi & with GM J […] more

  2. cain Says:

    i have been studying tuksuri hapkido for 2 years now it is a small group of a very traditional straint and i think hapkido should stay as traditional […] more

  3. Eric Wilkinson Says:

    Remember Grandmaster Bong Soo Han, known popularly by his stand-in role in the Billy Jack movies which feature Hapkido techniques. Read more about hi […] more

  4. ronald schmidt Says:

    my wife, our two daughters, and myself are currntly studying Combat Hapkido, which is the only form recognized from the U.S. founded by Grandmaster Jo […] more

  5. Tommy J Boroughs Says:

    Dear Sir; I am looking for Martial Arts Forms for these Arts. ( Kempo / Shorinji Kempo / Tang Soo Do / Kook Sul Won / Kook Sul Do / Hapkido / & Ta […] more

  6. Craig Medley Says:

    I would be interesred in taking classes for hapkido. Where would the nearest facility be in my area. I live close to louisville kentucky. Thank You.

  7. Caleigh Says:

    Hi. well craig medley, if you move to des miones, iowa i could get you hucked up with hapkido. I was in that martial arts for around two years. but […] more

  8. Robin Says:

    I am currently studying han ming jok hapkido. The have my second kueb currently. I am also a continually practicing 1st degree black belt in taekwondo […] more

  9. Stevie Gonzale' Says:

    Was involved in Hapkido for almost 2 years, and had earned Red Belt. Quit MA for about 6 months, and signed up for Kung Fu - Southern Praying Mantis s […] more

  10. Dr. Frank Valentin Says:

    Hapkido is an eclectic, effective, powerful martial art that combines the soft with the hard. Joint locks, throws, strikes, kicks, weapons…ground su […] more

  11. Ryu Says:

    Can hapkido be used for street fighting?Is it kinda like muay thai if u guys know what that is.

  12. Franco Says:

    Hapkido uses the attackers momentum to throw them or lock them. We also have elbows, low kicks and knee strikes. If you are caught in one of our smal […] more

  13. Robin Says:

    Anyone in the Uk that wants to learn authentic Korean Hap Ki Do: http://www.international-hapkido.com/ The site has not been updated in a long tim […] more

  14. jimmy Says:

    Hey, does anyone know of any good hapkido schools in the northwest of england. I really like the sound of this martial art so any help would be apprec […] more

  15. JK Lee Says:

    JK Lee’s in Wisconsin offers both Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido training which can be extremely effective when the techniques are combined! www.jkleeblac […] more

  16. jerry christoffer Says:

    my name is jerry im 14 i have been learning hapkido from grandmaster ernie wells im a second degree black belt i know nanchun hung gar and a little sh […] more

  17. Tarun Roy Choudhury Says:

    I am Tarun Roy Choudhury (Founder & President of INDO Hap Ki Do).Indo Hap Ki Do is Gov.Reg.

  18. Andrew Says:

    Yes, Hapkido can be used for street fighting. Systems vary, but the one I have studied, under Grandmaster Kwang Seek Hyun in Chicago, is one that foc […] more

  19. George M. Gonsalves Says:

    I moved to louisville, kentucky and would love to learn Hapkido. Would you be so kind to direct me to someone!!!!!!!

  20. Pedro "Papo" Valentin Says:

    To whom it may concern: There is a Dr. Frank Valentin mentioned on this website. I would like to find out if he is my cousin who resided in NYC be […] more

  21. Ron Poorman Says:

    Yes, Hapkido like any other martial art,will work on the street, if you learn how to apply it to reality. There are many schools and associations like […] more

  22. database Says:

    the problem i have had with hapkido, is that every scool or demonstration i have seen, is by an tae kwon do instructor; the breakdown is : 95% tae […] more

  23. Ron Poorman Says:

    regarding 95% kicking and striking, that is what happens when you have tae kwon do instructors demonstrating what they call “hapkido” most of the tra […] more

  24. Patrick Irvine Says:

    how easy is it to block and counter Hapkido moves?

  25. helpmeplease Says:

    looking for a hapkido master

  26. danny Says:

    i am a red belt now in taekwondo, how does the belt colors run? am thinking about taking hapkido

  27. Lewis Hise Says:

    I am a 2nd degree black belt in Hapki-do. I trained in Korea under Grand Master Park Sung Jae. Grand Master Park Sung Jae trained under Myung Jae Na […] more

  28. Anirudh Says:

    looking for a hapkido/muay thai master in bangalore. need details. please help.

  29. Peter Says:

    Hi im from Perth Western Australia looking for Hap Ki Do dojang or Hwa Rang Do please contact me petertmartin@hotmail.com thnx

  30. black tony Says:

    i drank with you and charz about 16 years ago.that was when i took a break from goju ryu.charz is a nice humble friend,you you’re an arrogant fat slob […] more

  31. black tony Says:

    what the hell was i talking about in my last post..? i gotta lay off the booze

  32. Kenshiro Says:

    Hokuto shinken is the most powerful fighting style

  33. stephen Says:

    i belive that any type of martial arts can be used to defend yourself on the street. the only thing is that when you get attacked on the street it hap […] more

  34. Dragon Says:

    You know what, I did hapkido for about 15 years, and it all looks great in theory, but when it comes to real street defense, you can FORGET IT! It is […] more

  35. Hapkido1 Says:

    to the idiot that “trained for 15 years in HKD. What you stated is more of a condemnation about you, than HKD. 15 years and you still can’t make it wo […] more

  36. mastereddie Says:

    absolutly, for anyone that has done 15 years of training in a style and cant make it work it more of a testimoney to thier lack of understanding, I ha […] more

  37. Jon Says:

    I trained in Hapkido for about a year and I have always felt more than confident on my ability to defend myself in a street fight. I have used it as […] more

  38. TIM Says:

    Korean Hapkido Master, 4th Dan… Master Sung is teaching Hapkido in Clapham Junction, New Malden, Slough, and Chswick. Try this. He is a real Hapkido […] more

  39. TIM Says:

    For SKMA Hapkido in London, contact info@skma.co.uk or 07771886319 (Master Sung)

  40. Will Taylor Says:

    I am a sixth dan blackbelt in hapkido residing in Perth. I am available for consultation and teaching (Private). Contact 0407775256

  41. Carlos Rosa Says:

    Hello there !!! I would like to know where about in Clapham Junction Master Sung is teaching Hapkido.Please let me know !!! Thanks !!!!! Regards, Carl […] more

  42. TIM Says:

    It is Fitness First Clapham Junction Station. 34 St Johns Hill, London, SW11 1SA Every Saturday, 6.00 pm. Call Master Sung 07771 886319 for more inf […] more

  43. Matthew Leong Says:

    Hi! I’ll be moving to Perth SOON for further studies and was wondering whether there’s anyone who teaches Hapkido there.

  44. Ken Wylson Says:

    I’d love to learn Hapkido, but there not 1 club within 20 miles from me Manchester UK M22

  45. jon Says:

    Hello Kwanjanim Sung Do you have a website? thank-you

  46. Mahdi Najand Says:

    Dear G.M ,Masters and president of artial arts We say hello al interests in martial arts in the world to who me are believer in love and intrest […] more

  47. Riley Evans Says:

    Hello i have been training in muay thai 5 years and am always eager to learn and better improve my skills

  48. chris ipacs Says:

    my name is chris. i hold ranks in, hapkido, aikido, judo, aiki-jiu-jutsu,shotokan,tang,soo,do,tae-kwon-do,and shorin-ryu, and i can tell you from expe […] more

  49. James Says:

    Where and when in slough will he be teaching hapkido?

  50. john Says:

    does any one know of any hapkido places in north west london? please

  51. Emma Says:

    Chang’s Hapkido Academy teaches Hapkido in London, near Blackfriars. There are daytime and evening classes.

  52. Aaron Says:

    Hi all, I’ve trained in shoto khan and katori shinto ryu. Looking for hapkido classes in perth (preferably not the watered down commercial type) Any o […] more

  53. Bill Says:

    08/24/2010 - I have studied & competed in boxing, karate, ju jitsu & judo over the past 34 years. I just reached 5 years in judo & rec’d m […] more

  54. Terry Gadenne Says:

    I studied basic Kiwan Hapkido in Brisbane and now in Perth WA. Seeking same discipline. Kim Kiwan would probably sponsor/support his club growth in Pe […] more

  55. Nijix K. Says:

    Hello, I’m studying under Grand Master Major Y. Kim (10th Dan).

  56. Jack Bauer Says:

    I am a 1st Dan in Dae Han Moo Sul Hapkido. I studied in Mohyeon Myeon South Korea. I am also a 2008 gold medalist at the world championships - Yong in […] more

  57. campers Says:

    All cost associated with freight to the original place of purchase shall be the responsibility of the purchaser. Warranty is void if the purchaser ma […] more

  58. Robert Celaya Says:

    I have been training in Hapkido for two years now, I am about to get my Red Belt Promotion. I train in El Paso Tx under Sensi Armando Granandos, All I […] more

  59. Gong Says:

    http://gongkwon.com.au/index.php?page=videos hapkido more developed

  60. steven Says:

    There is a hapkido school in my area that i was thinking of going to,would this be a good choice,will hapkido help in a street conflict

  61. MASurfer Says:

    Re: There is a hapkido school in my area that i was thinking of going to,would this be a good choice,will hapkido help in a street conflict I’ve b […] more

  62. David Sneddon Says:

    Hapkido in the glasgow and kilmarnock area contact facebook Hapkido Scotland for times

Contribute!

If you are an exponent of Hapkido (or should we have by accident or ignorance omitted your martial arts style elsewhere on this site), we invite you to send us a little paragraph or two that highlight certain aspects of Hapkido, including history, current grand-masters, special features or techniques, strengths and weaknesses, and similarities and differences to related martial arts. Please contribute by using the form below.