Grand Master Myung Jae Nam (1938-1999) founded the International Hapkido Federation in South Korea in 1984. He held a 9th degree Black-Belt in Hapkido and was the chairman of the International Hapkido Federation (IHF). Before his dead in 1999, he came to St. Petersburg to give the seminar in the School of Martial Arts of Demid Momot.
Grand Master Myung Kwang-Sik (1940 — 2009) was an early Korean hapkido practitioner and a pioneer of the art, first in Korea and then in the United States. He formed the first worldwide organization of hapkido, the World Hapkido Federation, and wrote comprehensive books on the art. His pioneering spirit led him to establish a worldwide inclusion of Hapkidoists, once only reserved for Korean nationals. He wrote over 10 books, including the first ever written on the subject and 32 instructional teaching videos that guide the beginner to expert level training.
• 10º Blackbelt, Hapkido
• 9º Blackbelt, Taekwondo
In 2003, Grand Master Myung Kwang-Sik came to St. Petersburg to give the seminar at the School of Martial Arts of Demid Momot. This version of Hapkido — WHF is widespread in Russia.
1961 — Master Lee began his training at the age of six in Seoul, South Korea under the direction of Master Instructor Young Chang Kim in Moo Moo Kwan Hap Ki Do.
1974 — Head instructor of Moo Moo Kwan Hap Ki Do under Grand Master Young Chang Kim, Seoul, South Korea
1979 — Emigrated to US from South Korea to teach Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do at the International Academy of Martial Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
1980 — Established Korean Martial Arts as Founder and President
2006 — Named Executive Director of the USA Kum Do Federation by the World Sport Kum Do Federation
2008 — Named Vice Chairman of International Hap Ki Do Federation
2008 — Named Chairman of USA Moo Moo Kwan Association
2008 — Awarded rank of 9th Degree Grand Master by the Korean Moo Moo Kwan Hap Ki Do Association
2009 — Appointed Chairman of the United States International Hap Ki Do Federation.
2010 — Awarded rank of 9th Degree Grand Master by the I.H.F.
12/03/2011 — Named Executive Director of the 9th Triennial World Hap Ki Do Championships in Seoul, South Korea 2013 by the International Hapkido FederationKi Do Federation 8/3/12 —
Grand Master Hwang In Shik – holder of the X Dan in Hapkido WHF, a famous popularizer of this type of martial arts, who starred in the films together with Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.
Grand Master Gerhard Agrinz started practicing Hap-Ki-Do in Austria in 1971. He was the personal master student until Grand Master Kim Sou Bong died on 04.08.2011.
Grand Master Gerhard Agrinz was announced the official successor of the Korean Grand Master Kim Sou Bong for the Hap-Ki-Do System Kim Sou Bong.
In this context, Grand Master Gerhard Agrinz also assumed the responsibility for the European Hap-Ki-Do training center for continuation. This center is the central training center for Hap-Ki-Do teachers, instructors and master instructors.
Within more than four decades of Hap-Ki-Do activity, Grand Master Gerhard Agrinz has made significant and trend-setting contributions to the Hap-Ki-Do system Kim Sou Bong.
WTF President several times visited St. Petersburg with working visits: to open the parataekwondo World Cup and European Championship in Taekwondo in 2010, to participate in the preparation of the World Martial Arts Games in 2013. He always gave the highest mark to the level of development of Taekwondo in Russia, noted the high level of organization of the competitions in St. Petersburg.
I believe that Taekwondo is the Korean gift to the world whole world. This is not just a sport, it is the style and philosophy of life with great potential to grow.
CROATIA HAPKIDO FEDERATION PRESIDENT
The Korean Martial Arts center Croatia and Taekwondo Academy Dan-Gun Croatia — practice Taekwondo, Hapkido, Haedong Kumdo, Kudokwan, Yongmoodo, Taeguk Kwon and Kyuk Too Ki.
ETU President was personally involved in all aspects of taekwondo in 2010 European Championship:
The decision to hold the championship of Europe in St. Petersburg was the unanimous choice of ETU members of the Bureau, made on the basis of an application of your city. We were confident in the ability to hold such a tournament at a very high level and now convinced that we were right. I note that we are satisfied of the way the tournament began — it was attended by athletes from 42 countries of Europe, and this showed us the wide geography of our sport.
Master Roe Jai Myung is the son of Grandmaster Myung Kwang-Sik. From an early age he was greatly influenced by his father, who he has come to know as both father and Grandmaster. Martial arts has always been a source of enjoyment and fascination with master Myung. He began his training at the age of 7 with the father. Roe Jai Myung is currently the acting director of the World Hapkido Federation and Korea Yonmookwan Taekwondo Association.
• 7º Blackbelt, Hapkido
• 4º Blackbelt, Taekwondo
• Director, World Hapkido Federation
• Director, Korea Yonmookwan Taekwondo Association
In 2012 and 2014 Master Roe Jai Myung visited in St. Petersburg. Under his leadership, while the Festival of Martial Arts «Baltic Sea Cup» went seminars in Hapkido and certification for a black belt ranks in Hapkido.
Master Vangelis Thanos, 6th Dan in WHF Hapkido and 8th Dan in WTF Taekwondo is a personal student of Grand Master Myung Kwang-Sik, the Technical Director of WHF in Eastern Europe and the President of the Greek Hapkido Association. He has been training in martial arts since 1975, deepening his knowledge next to internationally respected teachers, such as Master An Hen Ki (Taekwondo) and Grand Master Myung Kwan-Sik (Hapkido).
* 8th Dan Taekwondo
* 6th Dan Hapkido
* 4 times Greek Champion
* International Instructor
* International Judge of the European and World Taekwondo federation
* Certified Instructir (category Β) of the General Secretariat of Athletics
* Teacher in Instructor’ Camps of the General Secretariat of Athletics
* President of the Technical Committee of the Greek Taekwondo Federation
* Official Dan Examiner of the Greek Taekwondo Federation
* Official Examiner in Greece of the World Hapkido Federation (W.H.F.)
* President of the Greek Hapkido Association
* WHF Regional Director for Eastern Europe & the Middle East
Vice-president of the Student Federation of the Republic of Korea, Master of Taekwondo with the 7th Kim Den Gil has led the appearance of Taekwondo in St. Petersburg, was the head of the St. Petersburgs team with who won the considerable success on the European scene:
I am well acquainted with St. Petersburg taekwondo, and I remember my postgraduate studies at Lesgaft University with gratitude. I can say with confidence that you are on the right way. St. Petersburg has everything for big wins — the people, the school, the techniques. This is not just my own opinion, so behalf of a common training center Taekwondo Kukkiwon I have been authorized to present the honoree 5th Dan to Demid Momot. With a high appreciation of his contribution in the development of Taekwondo in all aspects.
