The Legacy of a Grandmaster

 

On December 14, 1935 an infant boy was born into a family of proud martial art warriors dating back to the beginning of Korean civilization. This family tree carries with it an immense knowledge concerning martial arts customs as well as traditions. This family is known as the Choi family. Going back in time to the great, great grandfather of this infant boy as well as his grandfather, it is easy to see that his destiny would be one of greatness. Both his great grandfather and grandfather served their country in the Korean military of their time, rising through the ranks to achieve the grade of General. This infant boy's life would consist of numerous challenges. He began training in his families' martial art at the tender age of five. His uncle would become his first actual Sa Bum Nim (Instructor) and the training would be extremely unique. At the age of five, he was instructed to climb to the top of a tree and jump from it into another tree that was approximately ten feet away. Being a disciplined youth, he did what he was told. His first venture of tree jumping was almost his last. He jumped for the branches of the next tree and didn't make it, falling from a height of about fifteen feet and landing on the rock-hard ground.

This was just the beginning. The next two years would be filled with one adventure after another concerning his training under the tutelage of his uncle. At the age of seven he returned home to live and train under the direction of his father. His father was an extremely accomplished martial artist who was also the village champion which he won with the use of a Korean grappling system known as Sarieum. His training would become even more intense under the direction of his father. At just seven years old, he was told to get into the Han river and swim the distance of one mile. This is a feat that I think many grown men would be hard pressed to accomplish. However, at this point he had been taught to overcome fear and use his mind as a weapon. At eight years old, he was taken to the Buddhist temple for more formal training in general studies as well as a variety of other topics to include more advanced martial arts skills. He remained at the temple until he was twelve years old. While living at the temple he excelled in all of his studies from general studies to his martial arts. He received the highest award that can be given by the Buddhist headquarters - Chief Monk. This award is known as the Jo Gay Joong and is considered an honor to receive.

He was now twelve years old and his father decided it was time for him to attend school in the public school system. Upon registration, he was given an examination to evaluate his placement in school. He performed extremely well and was placed in an advanced grade ahead of his peers. At fourteen, his father died an untimely death leaving him to the responsibility of his sisters. This was a very difficult time for this young man since his Mother had died when he was only four months old and he had spent his entire life in the company of men. However, this would be just another obstacle in the path of life. At just sixteen years old, he would find himself in the middle of war-torn Korea using his skills just to stay alive. He continued to practice whenever the opportunity arose. In 1961 he met Jung In Mook, who was an accomplished martial artist who would become his Sa Bum Nim, teaching him the Korean originated martial art of Hapkido. He would be the only student of Jung In Mook for the next three years. The two trained together for hours on in seven days a week. In 1964, this young man opened his first Dojang and began teaching his martial art to all that had a true desire to learn. His Dojang was off to a great start. From 1965 to 1972, this proud man would devote his life to the sharing and growth of Korean martial arts.

It was May 5, 1972 in the land of the morning calm. The Korean Kido Association was presided over by Du Young Kim and he was about to make a decision that would indirectly affect literally thousands of people over the course of the next twenty-five years. This man who devoted his entire life to studying and promoting Korean martial arts was about to receive the prestigious honor of being promoted to the rank of ninth degree black belt in Hapkido. Shortly after achieving this prestigious honor, he came to the United States. Once arriving, he travelled around visiting his contrymen that had come to America earlier. Finally he decided to establish residency in El Paso, Texas and opened a Dojang. He was almost an instant success with the locals as well as the servicemen that were stationed at Fort Bliss. In 1976 he began to combine techniques from a variety of martial arts that he had spent the past thirty-one years practicing, researching and teaching which resulted in the development of his own system of Hapkido. This system of Hapkido has been coined Chun Ki Hapkido and has not forgotten it's ancestral roots.

When studying Chun Ki Hapkido, the practitioner is taught proper breathing exercises to develop Ki (internal energy). In addition to the joint manipulation, pressure points, choking, sweeps, throws, takedowns, kicks, punches and traditional weapons; there is something that has always been a viable part of the Hapkido system - Grappling (Wa Gi Sool). Just a few of the weapons one can expect to come into contact with while studying Chun Ki Hapkido are the cane, knife, short stick, sword and rope. All are part of this unique system.

This kind gentleman has devoted his entire life to training, teaching and promoting Korean martial arts and is none other than the great Grandmaster Choi, Han Young. President and founder of the World Chun Ki Association as well as the Supreme Grandmaster of Chun Ki Hapkido. Fast approaching 63 years of age and still moving with the grace and dexterity of a person in their 20's. "The man behind the scenes" is how Grandmaster Choi has been referred to by many of the other Grandmasters in the Korean martial arts because of his love for sharing and helping his students grow, he did not pursue the spotlight. However, is you asked him, he would tell you "I want to learn more". If this is the outlook of a man who has spent 57 years learing the way, how is it that so many feel that they know it all?

If you ever find yourself in El Paso look him up. He will be more than happy to take time out of his busy schedule to chat with you about the martial arts or whatever topic you would like to discuss.

 

About the Author:

Daniel T. Rogers is an 8th degree black belt under Grandmaster Choi, Han Young and has been a student of the martial arts for 32 years now. He can be reached at the American Hapkido Academy, 4416 Johnston St., Suite 7-A, Lafayette, LA, 70503. (318) 993-9497. His email address is: LAHapkido@aol.com

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