Freestyle Hapkido

About

Introduction

Below is a brief introduction to both Hapkido and Freestyle Hapkido. The most common questions I am asked are “What is Hapkido?” and “Why Hapkido?” Due the large area of these topics I feel it is best to explain things as I would to a beginner who has entered my class for the first time.

What is Hapkido?

This is by far the most common question asked by new students seemingly they think it is an easy question to answer however like many simple questions it has no single answer. Instead there are many simple answers that do not answer the whole question. The fact is, the only way to know what Hapkido is, is to do Hapkido. Whilst taking this into account, the points I try to make are:

• Hapkido is a Korean martial art.
• Literally Hapkido means the way of co‐ordinated Power. The protectors of the Korean Royal Family started Hapkido over a thousand years ago.
• Hapkido is a circular art that uses an opponent’s own momentum against them.
• Hapkido is a soft art, which uses your inner power where other arts depend solely on physical strength.
• Hapkido also offers physical and spiritual benefits as well as helping to improve coordination, self‐confidence, respect and improved mental focus.

Though I understand that this is a short list which is a very basic and simple outline, I only use it as a general introduction to Hapkido. I have found that many students especially beginners are often overwhelmed by the complexities of all aspects of Hapkido so I try to teach by action and example rather than just verbal communication.

Why Hapkido?

When people ask me, “Why should I do Hapkido?” I always tell them why I personally chose to do Hapkido.

After trying several different arts, I finally decided to follow the Hapkido way because it had a lot more to offer than the other styles that I had tried. While some arts offered hand and foot techniques, others offered grappling and throwing, Hapkido combines them into one. As a beginner I noticed that compared to some of the other martial arts I had tried, Hapkido made more sense from a usable form of defence which allowed me to not only understand what I was doing, but why, and what it could be used for (self-defence and it was made clear to me that it is only to be used as such).

As I began to progress within Freestyle Hapkido I noticed that we use a more circular movement allowing us to use our adversaries force and momentum against them as opposed to trying to beat it, meaning that you don’t have to be stronger than an attacker to defend yourself.

Anthony Hughes Martial Arts History
1982 – At age 14 began to look into various types of Martial Arts.
1985 – Studied Freestyle Hapkido under Mr N. Kalpakos.
1990 – Achieved First Degree Black Belt. Also began to teach under the supervision of Mr Kalpakos.
1991 – Began to teach local school children as part of sports program. (Katoomba & Springwood High)
1992 – Achieved Second Degree Black Belt. Mr Kalpakos moved interstate, leaving existing students to be instructed by Master Hughes.
1993 – Obtained security license, began to teach Lithgow correctional centre staff. Met Master Michael Crim and expanded on His Hapkido training.
1995 – Achieved Third Degree Black Belt under Master Crim
2000 – Achieved Fourth Degree (Master) Graded by Grand Master J. H. Kim (8th degree). Obtained level one coaching certificate (Australian Coaching Council).
2001 – Affiliated with International Hapkido Federation South Korea. Obtained level two coaching certificate (Australian Coaching Council).
2005 – Master Hughes left the International Hapkido Federation South Korea to continue to customise a more modern Hapkido style. During this time Master Hughes achieved Fifth Degree Black belt.
2012 – Master Hughes received his Sixth Degree Black belt.

Master Hughes has also studied the following styles of fighting & martial arts:

• Boxing (Western)
• Karate (Zen Chi Ru & Buddha Khan)
• Muay Thai (Kick Boxing)
• Rhee Taekwondo
• Kendo
• Shoda Kan
• Tai Chi
• Kung Fu (Freestyle) – White Crane
• Kenpo (American Kenpo Karate)
• Kido Martial Arts