Melbourne Hapkido Centre hosts Gong Kwon Yu Sul International Debut!

In April, Master Kang Jun along with two of his senior instructors, Master Lee Chung Hyo and Chae Seung Hyeop, were flow to Australia by the Australian Hapkido Association (AHA).

For the first time ever outside of its home-base of Korea, martial artists were able experience the dynamic art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul. The very first of this International debut was right here at Melbourne Hapkido Centre!

After Melbourne the GKYS tour continued northwards to the AHA clubs in Sydney (Brookvale, Miranda, & Campbelltown), the NSW North Coast (at Tuggerah, Mannering Park & Murwillumbah) finishing the tour at the Byron Bay club.

Vincent Bacon accompanied the Korean visitors for the entire Australian tour. In just 10 days the GKYS team completed a punishing schedule of 12 seminars!

Since it burst onto the scene last year with exposure on Internet sites such as You Tube, Gong Kwon Yu Sul has generated a huge amount of discussion in the international martial arts community. Much of this attention has resulted from the realistic nature of Gong Kwon Yu Sul sparring and the effectiveness of its takedown and groundwork techniques.

Gong Kwon Yu Sul was founded in Korea in 1996 by Master Kang Jun, his idea being to develop a fighting system which emphasised practical application of a diverse range techniques, not for static, self-defence situations but that would be effective in a realistic, free flowing sparring situation. Master Kang drew on his extensive knowledge of Hapkido, Hwarangdo, Hakko-ryu ju-jitsu, Korean Kickboxing (Kyuktooki) and Judo to develop this new system that later became to be called Gong Kwon Yu Sul.

Since its inception Gong Kwon Yu Sul has grown rapidly in the country of its birth and is currently being taught in around 40 clubs throughout Korea. Following its introduction to Australia is now sure to soon spread internationally, as a realistic, dynamic, martial art for the 21st century.

Stay tuned for the birth of the first officially accredited Gong Kwon Yu Sul club outside of Korea - here at the Melbourne Hapkido Centre.

For further information and updates see www.gongkwon.net and www.gongkwon.com.au (coming soon).

Here are some pictures from the tour.

	Principal MHC instructors Vincent Bacon and Debbie Martin receive instruction from Master Kang during the MHC Gong Kwon Yu Sul seminar.
	Master Kang explains a technique.
	Master Kang demonstrates a wing lock.
	Vincent Bacon executes a wristlock.
	Master Kang demonstrates a shoulder lock.
	Chae Seung Hyeop assists with groundwork.
	Master Kang with long-time MHC members.
	See more pictures from the tour...