Hapkiyusul master to teach on north coast

Story & photo Eve Jeffery

One of the world’s leading martial artists and master of the art of Hapkiyusul, Kim Yun Sang, will give a free public demonstration tonight.

Kim Yun Sang is the Dojunim, the figurehead known as the ‘caretaker of the way’ of this training method. This position was handed down to him from the previous Dojunim Choi Yong Sul under whom Kim Yun Sang studied until Choi’s death in 1986.

Until recently Hapkiyusul had been practised secretly, available to only a limited number of Koreans, but Kim Yun Sang Dojunim realised that to ensure the future of the art it must be made available to everyone. Hence, in 2002, two Australians were invited to commence training.

One of these men is local man Jarrod Taylor, who is one of Hapkiyusul’s leading exponents. Jarrod, a former Richmond River High School student, has been living in South Korea and training with Kim for the past 11 years.

Jarrod says he was immediately impressed by both the art form and Kim Yun Sang when he was first introduced Hapkiyusul.

‘When I met Kim Yun Sang Dojunim, I was impressed that he was 70 years old and he was still doing all the exercises that everyone else did’, says Jarrod.

‘He seemed to have some unique ability; he could still throw round and have complete control over people. He says that this ability comes from this training method.

‘When I saw this and heard him talk about his philosophy, it really attracted me.’

Jarrod is now a resident in Guemsam in South Korea and trains daily with  the Dojunim but both men will be in the area this week. Dojunim Kim will be training with local martial artists to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Hapkiyusul in Australia, and will give a free public demonstration of his skills at the Lennox Head Community Centre from 6.30pm tonight.

For more information visit www.yongsulkwan-australia.com or phone Jarrod on 0401 056 213.