Grandmaster

Grandmaster Kwang Sik Myung has been very fond of martial arts ever since his childhood. He began studying martial arts at the age of eight and became a first degree black belt in Hapkido at the age of twelve. As a high school student, he was a leader in organizing classes for his fellow students. Throughout his youth, he studied many styles of martial arts, including Karate, Yudo, Kumdo, Charyuk, Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. He learned accupunture, oriental calligraphy, and oriental Indian ink painting.

After graduating from high school, Grandmaster Myung majored in commerce at Sung Kyun Kwan University in Seoul, Korea. While in college, he was also an active instructor at the Korea general headquarters of the Korean Hapkido Association. Upon his graduation, he was appointed as the director of the Northern Branch Dojang of the Korean Hapkido Assoication.

Endeavoring to attain the highest degree of perfection in his art, Grandmaster Myung lived, for several years, a monastic experience at Mount Taebaik. He then traveled to Southeast Asia to spread knowledge of his beloved art. Upon his return, he founded the Korean Yon Moo Kwan Hapkido Association.

In honor of his considerable contribuation, he was appointed as a permanent director of the Korean Hapkido Association. Grandmaster Myung then founded an Institute for the furtherance of Hapkido that provided specialize training to the directors, instructors, and advance degree black belt holders (masters) of each dojang. In recognition of his achievement, he was promoted to senior instructor.

At the behest of the government of the United States of America, Grandmaster Myung was extended an invitation to visit the states.

History of the World Hapkido Federation

The advancements of modern Hapkido in Korea can largely be attributed to the efforts of Grandmaster Yong Sool Choi. At the time of these advancements, the Korean Yon Moo Kwan Hapkido Association, which had already been in existence for many decades, became a major organization of Hapkido. this organization would eventually become the World Hapkido Federation.

High ranking Hapkido master from various countries established the World Hapkido Association in Detroit, Michigan on December 20, 1973. When it was established, there was no organization or specific person that unified the masters of the schools in the United States or other countries, there were only a limited number of small associations with a few members.

The World Hapkido Association had the widespread support and encouragement of the Hapkido community, holding its first general meeting in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1974. Grandmaster Myung was elected president and Detroit would become the headquarter.

After the first meeting, many general assembly meetings have been held. In 1976 and 1978, the second and third general meetings, respectively, closer ties were formed between the Hapkido masters. The fourth meeting, held on June 29, 1981, was held in Chicago, Illinois. At the sixth meeting, held on September 29, 1985, the Association had firmly established itself as a representative of Hapkido.

On November 16, 1985, various members of the World Hapkido Association rallied in San Diego, California, where they unanimously voted to change the Association's name to the World Hapkido Federation.

At present, the organization posses overseas chapeters in more than thirty countries throughout the world.

Today, Grandmaster Myung continues his endless quest to develop the World Hapkido Federation as the eminent martial arts organization in the world, and Hapkido as the foremost martial arts.

Michigan Branch
The Michigan Hapkido Dojang is headed by Elliott Cooper, Cheif Instructor and Michigan Hapkido representative. Mr. Cooper has been studying Hapkido for over 20 years and is a student of Grandmaster Myung.

Mr. Cooper is also Senior Tactical Defense Instructor of the American Defensive Tactics School, Inc (ADT).



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