dukmoohapkido

In its homeland, Hapkido is a Korean martial art that is just as popular as Taekwondo. Whilst Taekwondo had become known worldwide as an Olympic sport, Hapkido has maintained its importance in Korea as the ultimate form of intricate self-defence.

It is an all-round martial art that combines the best components of other martial arts. Knowledge of pressure points, joint locks and throws equip the student to defend against the full array of possible holds, grabs, punches and kicks. Extremely effective techniques against weapons such as a knife, pole, stick and gun form an important part of the highly skilled practitioner?s training. Falling down and rolling skills are vital for self-protection in real-life situations. Offensive training includes special striking and kicking techniques, as well as the pursuit of highly developed weapons skills.

Training in Hapkido is a very effective way of promoting health and, in particular, long pole training improves blood circulation, hand-to-eye co-ordination and breathing techniques. Indeed, as the practitioner becomes more skilled, special breathing techniques are developed, in order to enhance inner understanding and appreciation of one?s own body. Both physical and mental development is important to a Hapkido student and so too are courtesy, patience, modesty and control.

It is such a highly developed form that it can be executed skilfully, without regard to the size, strength, age or sex of the practitioner or opponent. The secret is in its precision and in its ability to unlock the hidden wells of self-strength and confidence that lie deep within us all.

The true value of this less known martial art should not be underestimated. A Korea Hapkido Federation certificate of training is required to gain a post in Korea?s special police, special army or as a private security guard to the President himself. Indeed, before 1980, it was only people in special positions such as this that were privileged enough to be trained in the art. More recently, the Federation has made Hapkido much more accessible to Korean citizen?s and has also established the European Duk Moo Kwan Hapkido Academy.

In the United Kingdom, the Korea Hapkido Federation?s representative is 7th Dan Master Kim, Beom. He is European Duk Moo Academy Technical Director and is the chief instructor and President of the Korea Hapkido Federation?s endorsed United Kingdom Duk Moo Academy. With over 20 years worth of instructing experience, he has given seminars and demonstrations in France, Switzerland and Sweden and has already instructed the Korean military, the French Duk Moo Academy and the Gendarme French police. He has also assisted his father, 9th Dan Grandmaster Kim, Duk In, in training the Korean Police Academy. Grandmaster Kim, Duk In himself is the founder of the Duk Moo Academy and was already an instructor of the Korean special army and government by the age of 23.

Now based in England, Master Kim, Beom has trained Durham Police Constabulary and hundreds more everyday people of varied backgrounds. His classes welcome everyone, regardless of age, size, fitness or gender and are traditionally and authentically taught. Master Kim, Beom is also a 6th Dan in Taekwondo and is devoted to enhancing and promoting his great knowledge and skill in traditional Korean martial arts to people within the United Kingdom and beyond.

To this end, he has organised the 1st Korea Hapkido Federation European Championship. The United Kingdom is privileged play host and the festival will be held in Durham, Tyne and Wear, on the 14th and 15th of June. It will be open to both Korea Hapkido Federation members and the watching public. Those who attend will be guaranteed to witness a very prestigious event in which an array of martial arts skills will be on display by highly competent martial artists.

Students of the art will be assessed for their all-round skill in term

Subject; invitation for 1st KHF European championship in the U.K

Dear Masters / Instructors

Our Duk Moo Academy is a representative of the Korea Hapkido Federation in the UK.
The Korea Hapkido federation opened this branch in the U.K in 2000 in order to support popularisation of Hapkido around Europe and has around 8 Hapkido clubs in North East England so far.

In this aim, the Korea Hapkido Federation has arranged ?1st KHF European Championship? in June and just in martial arts spirit, we purely would like to invite your organisation to this Championship.
Please participate on team event (sort of demonstration) and share techniques with us.

Nowadays, many Martial Arts are in cooperation with their specialised techniques and it has provided improvement of the martial arts nature and high demand to all martial artists.
The Korea Hapkido Federation has found difficulties to introduce and develop the popularisation of Hapkido without special events.
The Korea Hapkido Federation hopes this championship has successful result in cooperation with other Hapkido organisations in our aim.
The Korea Hapkido Federation also believes that this event will give us first familiar step of cooperation, and we are willing to participate your event in the future.

The Korea Hapkido Federation would be delighted with participation of your organisation.


*Please inform us of your participation and provide us your address for posting further detail with invitation.




Best wishes in MuDo,



Master Kim
---------------------------
Master Kim, Beom (7th DAN Hapkido KHF/ 6th Dan TaeKwonDo WTF)
Representative of the Korea Hapkido Federation in the U.K
President and chief instructor of Duk Moo UK Ltd