Founder of Hapkido - The Way of Coordinated Power
Born on November 9, 1904, in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea, Choi Yong-sool's early life was marked by hardship. As a young child during the Japanese occupation of Korea, he was taken to Japan around 1912, where his life would take an unexpected turn that would eventually lead to the creation of one of Korea's most influential martial arts.
In Japan, Choi became a student of Takeda Sokaku, the legendary master of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu. For approximately 30 years, Choi trained intensively in this sophisticated Japanese martial art, which emphasized joint locks, throws, and the manipulation of an opponent's energy and balance. Takeda was known for his strict teaching methods and high standards, and Choi became one of his most dedicated students.
Following the end of World War II and Korea's liberation from Japanese rule in 1945, Choi returned to his homeland. He settled in Daegu, South Korea, where he began teaching the martial arts he had learned in Japan. However, due to the strong anti-Japanese sentiment in post-war Korea, Choi initially kept a low profile about his Japanese training.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Choi began formally teaching what would become Hapkido. The name "Hapkido" (합기도) translates to "the way of coordinated power" or "the way of harmonizing energy." While rooted in Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, Choi adapted and modified the techniques to create a distinctly Korean martial art that incorporated:
Choi's most notable early student was Seo Bok-seob, who began training with him in 1948. Together, they opened the first Hapkido dojang (training hall) in Daegu. Other significant students included:
Choi's Hapkido philosophy emphasized several core principles:
While maintaining the core principles of Aiki-jujutsu, Choi made several innovations that distinguished Hapkido:
Choi's original dojang in Daegu became legendary in Korean martial arts circles. Students would train for hours, practicing falls, joint locks, and throws on hard floors. Choi was known for his demanding teaching style and his ability to demonstrate techniques with devastating effectiveness despite his small stature and advancing age.
As Hapkido grew in popularity throughout Korea and internationally, Choi received increasing recognition for his contributions to Korean martial arts. Despite various political and organizational disputes within the Hapkido community, Choi remained focused on teaching and refining his art. He continued to teach and demonstrate techniques well into his 80s.
Choi Yong-sool passed away on June 15, 1986, but his legacy lives on through Hapkido, which has become one of Korea's most practiced martial arts. His contributions include:
Today, Hapkido is practiced by millions worldwide and has evolved into various styles and organizations. While there are differences in emphasis and technique among schools, all trace their lineage back to Choi Yong-sool's original teachings. Modern Hapkido continues to emphasize:
At Dragons MMA, we honor Choi Yong-sool's legacy by incorporating Hapkido principles into our training. His emphasis on using technique over strength, adapting to an opponent's energy, and the importance of joint locks and control techniques are essential components of our grappling and self-defense curriculum. Choi's philosophy that martial arts should be accessible to all, regardless of size or strength, aligns perfectly with our mission of Unity Through Diversity.
"True martial arts is not about defeating others, but about overcoming yourself and protecting those who cannot protect themselves."
— Choi Yong-sool