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.
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.
During 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
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