Hapkido is Korean martial art that emphasizes joint locks, powerful kicks and strikes, to subdue an opponent from a standing attack. The attacks in Hapkido are very effective for close quarters self defense. Top Fight Academy has one of the most renowned Hapkido instructors in the United States, Sabumnim Charles Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan grew up and trained in the Chicago Hapkido scene. For those who don't know, Chicago is one of the most storied martial arts cities. The Hapkido that comes out of Chicago is shaped by the wide influence that the some of the original pioneers had on the city. Grandmaster K.S. Hyun, GM Byung S. Ma, and GM Chu S. Ma were Mr. Sullivan's day to day teachers for years. During this time Mr. Sullivan achieved instructor certification through the Ma Brothers, which is one of the most noteworthy accredidations a Hapkidoist can receive.
General Hapkido history:
GM Choi was one of the most influential people in the development of modern Korean martial arts, he was born in Chung Buk province in Korea. GM Choi's parents died when he was very young. In 1913 he was taken to Japan from Korea by a Japanese candy maker. GM Choi was eight or nine years old at the time. The candy maker ultimately abandoned GM Choi due to his uncontrollable energy. He began to wander the streets as a beggar and was regularly assaulted by other children. As is tradition in Japan, non-Japanese are literally looked upon as non-humans; thus GM Choi's life in Japan was filled mostly with hardship and discrimination. He was given over to the Buddhist temple for discipline. While visiting the temple, a friend of the priest named Grandmaster Sokaku Takeda took notice of GM Choi because of his unique situation. GM Takeda took GM Choi into his home to serve as his houseboy. For about 30 years GM Choi lived in Sokaku Takedas household. It is said that Takeda adoptedGm Choi and was given the Japanese name of Tatujutu Yoshida. GM Choi's Japanese name has also been given as Asao, Yoshida by some sources.
"But Many Japanese say that this is doubtful, as it has been suggested, that GM Choi was adopted by Takeda. Because this was not the custom in Japan, neither then or now, for Japanese families (especially prominent Japanese families) to adopt Korean children."
General Hapkido history:
GM Choi was one of the most influential people in the development of modern Korean martial arts, he was born in Chung Buk province in Korea. GM Choi's parents died when he was very young. In 1913 he was taken to Japan from Korea by a Japanese candy maker. GM Choi was eight or nine years old at the time. The candy maker ultimately abandoned GM Choi due to his uncontrollable energy. He began to wander the streets as a beggar and was regularly assaulted by other children. As is tradition in Japan, non-Japanese are literally looked upon as non-humans; thus GM Choi's life in Japan was filled mostly with hardship and discrimination. He was given over to the Buddhist temple for discipline. While visiting the temple, a friend of the priest named Grandmaster Sokaku Takeda took notice of GM Choi because of his unique situation. GM Takeda took GM Choi into his home to serve as his houseboy. For about 30 years GM Choi lived in Sokaku Takedas household. It is said that Takeda adoptedGm Choi and was given the Japanese name of Tatujutu Yoshida. GM Choi's Japanese name has also been given as Asao, Yoshida by some sources.
"But Many Japanese say that this is doubtful, as it has been suggested, that GM Choi was adopted by Takeda. Because this was not the custom in Japan, neither then or now, for Japanese families (especially prominent Japanese families) to adopt Korean children."