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Takeda SokakuTakeda Sokaku Minamoto Masayoshi is regarded as the “modern founder” of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, the martial art which served as the foundation for Hapkido. He also studied Sumo wrestling, sword techniques, spear techniques, long pole techniques, Isdo Ryu, and Jokusinai Ryu and incorporated them into Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. He trained in martial arts from 1867 until his death in 1943. Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu was originally brought to Japan from Silla, an area that is a part of modern day South Korea. The man who is credited with the founding of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu was a Korean named Silla Sam Lang Won Eui Kwang, though he is more well known by his Japanese name, Siraki Saburo Minamoto Yoshimitsu of the Minamoto family. The Takeda family, of which Takeda Sokaku is a part, is a branch family of the Minamoto family. Both Hapkido and Aikido trace their origins back to Takeda Sokaku and the Minamoto family. |
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Choi Yong SoolChoi Yong Sool was born in the Chung Buk Province in Korea in 1899. His mother passed away when he was only 2 years old. A few years later, his father died as well, leaving him as an orphan under the care of his aunt’s family. In 1909, a Japanese candy maker named Yamada Ogichi abducted him and brought him to Japan. Shortly after arriving in Japan, Choi Yong Sool managed to escape from Yamada, but became lost and was picked up by the police. The police sent him to a Buddhist temple, where the head monk, Yamamoto Hidero, gave Choi Yong Sool the Japanese name, Asao Yoshida, which means “Man of Joseon (Korea).” After 3 years in the temple, Yamamoto came to realize that Choi Yong Sool was not well suited to be a monk, but demonstrated the talent and character needed for martial arts training. The monk introduced Choi Yong Sool to Takeda Sokaku, a childhood friend of his, and suggested that Takeda take Choi and train him in martial arts. Choi Yong Sool trained in Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu under Takeda Sokaku from 1912 until 1943. Choi was senior in rank to Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of Aikido, who trained in Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu from 1914 until 1922. He returned to Korea in 1946, after being encouraged to do so by Takeda shortly before his death, and began teaching the martial art. Motions from Yudo (Korean Judo) and a number of traditional Korean martial arts were incorporated into Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu to make modern day Hapkido. Choi Yong Sool called his martial art by many names, including Yawara and Yu Kwon Sul, but one of his students, Ji Han Jae, later popularized the name, “Hapkido.” |
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Won Kwang WhaWon Kwang Wha began his Yu Kwon Sul (an early name for Hapkido) training under Suh Bok Sub, Choi Yong Sool’s first student in Korea. From 1954-1958, Won Kwang Wha served as Congressman Suh Dong-jin’s personal bodyguard. In 1957, Won Kwang Wha began training directly under Choi Yong Sool. When, in 1961, Kim Moo Hong moved to Seoul to open a dojang, Won Kwang Wha and Kim Jung Soo went with him and became his dojang’s primary instructors. They developed the Shin Moo Kwan branch, which we are a part of. Won Kwang Wha taught at Kim Moo Hong’s dojang before opening his own dojang in 1963. He was regarded as a powerful martial artist both physically and mentally and produced many overseas pioneers of Hapkido including Dr. He-Young Kimm. Unfortunately, Won Kwang Wha passed away at an early age in 1975. |
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Dr. He-Young KimmAlthough Dr. He-Young Kimm first began learning martial arts at the age of 7, he began seriously studying in 1953 under Song Kwang Sub who taught him Yudo (Korean Judo) and Bi Sool. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, Dr. Kimm also began training in a number of styles including Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, and Kong Soo Do. While studying for his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science, he taught martial arts at the 8th US Army Command Compound, also known as the Hialeah Compound, but discovered that his background in Yudo was insufficient to teach military police and helicopter pilots, so in 1962, he began to learn Hapkido from Won Kwang Wha at the Shin Moo Kwan school. Dr. Kimm considers Won Kwang Wha to be his primary Hapkido instructor. After graduating from the Maritime College of the National University of Pusan, Dr. Kimm was commissioned as a Marine Lieutenant. In 1963, Dr. Kimm moved to the United States to further his education at Missouri State Technical College, where he also taught Judo and Hapkido. He was the first to teach Hapkido in the US. He graduated in 1969 with a Master’s Degree in History. He also received a Teaching Certificate for Hapkido from Won Kwang Wha in 1969. After receiving his Master’s Degree, Dr. Kimm enrolled in Louisiana State University where he earned his Ph.D. in History. While studying in Louisiana, Dr. Kimm taught Tae Kwon Do, Yudo, and Hapkido classes. When In Hyuk Suh, the founder of Kuk Sool, moved to the United States from Korea in 1974, Dr. Kimm helped him get settled and studied Kuk Sool while helping In Hyuk Suh spread the art throughout the United States. Dr. Kimm also cohosted a number of combination Kuk Sool / Hapkido seminars in an effort to help spread the style. In 1985, Dr. Kimm published a book entitled, Kuk Sool. A year later, in 1986, Dr. Kimm published his Philosophy of Masters book. Dr. Kimm then spent several years, from 1987 until 1991, studying Hapkido under Ji Han Jae. With Ji Han Jae’s assistance, in 1991, Dr. Kimm published his book entitled, Hapkido, although it is better known by its nickname, the Hapkido Bible. Dr. Kimm published a second, revised book on Hapkido entitled, Hapkido II, in 1994. Ji Han Jae and In Hyuk Suh both recommended that Dr. Kimm found his own style. After a number of years of work, he created Han Mu Do in 1987. Unlike many styles whose differences are focused on differences in martial techniques, Han Mu Do primarily differentiates itself from similar styles, such as Hapkido, by its philosophy. Dr. Kimm’s Han Mu Do book was later published in 1994. Dr. Kimm’s most recent book, History of Korea and Hapkido, was released in 2008 and details the history of Korea from antiquity up to modern times, as well as covering in great detail the development of Hapkido up to present time. Dr. Kimm is the Founder of Han Mu Do and holds advanced ranks in the numerous Korean martial art styles mentioned above. In 2012, he was promoted to 10th dan in Hapkido by the Dae Han Kido Hwe, certificate #8. He is also the President of Dae Han Kido Hwe operations in America and Director of the International Commerce Committee and is the President and founder of the World Han Mu Do Association. |
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J.R. WestJ.R. West began his martial arts training while serving in the Special Forces in the 25th Infantry, otherwise known as the Korean Tiger Division, during the Vietnam War. His primary instructor while in Vietnam was Kim Jung Soo under whom he studied Hapkido and Taekwondo. Master Kim Jung Soo was a member of the now legendary “M-21” martial arts training program. Grandmaster West also trained under Baek Nam Guk and Bong Soo Han during this time. Upon returning to the US in 1970, he began training under Dr. He-Young Kimm. In 1973, he opened the West Hapkido Academy in Jackson, MS. Until 1996, he served as the Director of Associate Members for Dr. Kimm’s World Han Mu Do Association. Master West is a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, and a member of its FBI Alumni. He has trained FBI Agents, FBI SWAT Team Agents, US Army Soldiers, Federal Marshal’s Service, 82nd Airborne, CIA, Secret Service and the 75th Rangers. He also has students who teach at the JFK Institute for Special Warfare, 82nd Airborne – Fort Bragg and Nato Forces, U.S. Army forces in Iraq, U.S. Air Force in Iraq, U.S. Army forces in Korea, and at Army and Air Force locations throughout the USA. He also holds an MA in Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing. J.R. West currently holds the rank of 9th dan in Hapkido (DaeHan Kido Hwe #89), is the Vice President of the Korea Kido Association for Hapkido operations in America, and is the President and Founder of the United States Korean Martial Arts Federation (USKMAF). |
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Joe BoruckiJoe Borucki began training in Hapkido in 1985 and also has experience in Tae Kwon Do, Yudo (Judo), Aikido, and Brazilian Jujutsu. He has trained FBI agents, Secret Service agents, as well as State and County police officers. Master Borucki also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Towson University. In 1991, Joe Borucki opened the Global Martial Arts Academy in Hampstead, MD. In 2011, Joe Borucki opened his second Global Martial Arts Academy location in Westminster, MD. Joe Borucki currently holds the rank of 7th dan under Grandmaster J.R. West and the United States Korean Martial Arts Federation (USKMAF Certification # H-7007) and is the USKMAF representative for the Northeast United States. |
Jim BannisterMaster Jim Bannister began his martial arts training in 1988 studying Tae Kwon Do, when he was only 5 years old. After 6 ½ years of training, during which he earned his 1st Dan Black Belt, he was introduced to Hapkido and decided to seek out further instruction in the style. Master Jim began studying Hapkido at Global Martial Arts Academy under Master Joe Borucki in 1994. He became an assistant instructor at Global Martial Arts Academy in 1996 and was promoted to 1st Dan Black Belt in Hapkido and full instructor in 1998. On September 21, 2024, he was promoted to 7th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido through the United States Korean Martial Arts Federation. He is also certified through the Dai Han Kido Hwe, the oldest Hapkido organization on the planet. He continued to teach at Global Martial Arts Academy until he opened Quest Martial Arts in the Phoenix / Jacksonville area on May 7, 2012. Through connections made in the United States Korean Martial Arts Federation, Master Jim had the opportunity to spend a summer in Australia when he was 17 years old, living in a Hapkido dojang and training 8+ hours a day under Grandmaster Geoff Booth, President of the Australian Hapkido Group and the International Hapkido Alliance. Master Jim has also had the opportunity to train with a number of other Masters and Grandmasters. He trains several times a year with Grandmaster J.R. West, President of the United States Korean Martial Arts Federation, and Dr. He-Young Kimm, noted martial arts historian, founder of Han Mu Do, Hapkido Grandmaster and former Korean Yudo Champion. He has also attended seminars taught directly by Grandmaster Bong Soo Han, “The Father of Modern Hapkido,” Grandmaster Ji Han Jae, the founder of Sin Moo Hapkido, and Grandmaster Rudy Timmerman, President of the National Korean Martial Arts Association. Furthermore, Master Jim travelled to South Korea in 2010 on a trip organized by Dr. He-Young Kimm and had the opportunity to train with Kim Jung Soo, the most senior Hapkido Grandmaster on the planet. He also competed in the World Hapkido Championship Tournament in Gwangju, South Korea where he won 2nd place in the highest (Masters-level) division. His instructor, Master Joe Borucki, won 1st place in the same division. In addition to his Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido experience, Master Jim started studying Kigong (Qigong), a moving meditation style similar to Tai Chi, in 1998 under Rob Bastress and has since learned both Level 1 and 2 of the style. Looking to further his knowledge of Ki energy, Master Jim studied Sekhem Seichim Reiki (SSR) under Reiki Master Instructor Detty Lavin and became a Reiki Master in 2014. Master Jim grew up in Maryland and graduated from Friends School in 2001 where he also taught a Meditation and Kigong (Qigong) class. He then went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies at Furman University, where he taught a very successful Hapkido class for the other students and teachers and also offered Kigong (Qigong) classes. After graduating from Furman, at the advice of his Japanese teacher, he applied for and was hired by the JET Program to teach English in schools in Yokkaichi, Japan. During his time in Japan, he had the opportunity to train in Judo and Jujutsu in addition to offering Hapkido classes to other English teachers and to his Japanese students. After returning to the United States, Master Jim taught English, Science and Math at The Jemicy School in Owings Mills, MD. The Jemicy School is an internationally-renowned leader in education for children with language-based learning disabilities. He also taught martial arts classes at Jemicy as a part of their after-school athletics program in addition to coaching the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. In addition to his martial arts experience, Master Jim has extensive fitness and weight lifting experience. He trained at Lifebridge Health and Fitness under the guidance of James Phillips from 1997 until 2011. James is one of the most experienced personal trainers at Lifebridge and is also an accomplished martial artist with a 5th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido, a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has experience teaching Shotokan Karate. Master Jim sought out higher-level fitness training under Michael Kelly, James Phillip’s fitness mentor, in 2011. Michael Kelly is one of the most experienced fitness trainers in the country with decades of experience. Michael is nationally and internationally recognized as an expert in the field of Sports Performance and has coached and trained athletes ranging from weekend warriors to National Team, Olympic and Professional athletes in soccer, lacrosse, squash, tennis, football, basketball, baseball, softball, track & field, field hockey, bobsled racing, speed skating, hockey, triathalons (including ironman triathalons), marathons, extreme fitness events, rowing, motor sports, volleyball, MMA, Martial Arts, Wrestling, cycling, and more. Michael is a Certified Neuromuscular Therapist (C-NMT/ St. John’s), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA), Certified Conditioning Specialist (NSPA), Certified USW Sports Performance Coach – Level I (USWA), and a Certified Post Rehabilitation Specialist (AHFA). Shortly after Master Jim began training with him, Michael left Lifebridge to open his own fitness studio called No Limit Fitness / Sports Performance, which specializes in training athletes to reach the highest levels of performance in their respective sports. At Michael Kelly’s recommendation, Master Jim decided to compliment his martial arts knowledge by earning his Certified Personal Trainer certification through the National Strength Professionals Association (NSPA Certification # 2011209) in 2012. He is also certified through the Red Cross in Pediatric and Adult CPR, AED, and in First Aid. Master Jim also has expert training in gymnastics under Mladen Stefanov, an Olympic Gymnast who helped the Bulgarian national team achieve a 12th place finish in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Mladen has also achieved numerous individual medals in many international competitions, including the prestigious European and World Championships. Master Jim began his swordsmanship training under Master James Jennings in 2017. Master Jennings has trained in Kenjutsu since 1996, and also has over 10 years of experience in HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). For the first 5 and a half years of his swordsmanship training, Master Jennings instructed Master Jim in the European Longsword following the works of some some of history's most renowned swordsman in the Liechtenauer tradition including Joachim Meyer, Fiore de'i Liberi and Hans Talhoffer. In 2023, Master Jennings decided it was time to share his extensive Kenjutsu knowledge, and the class switched from the study of the European Longsword to the Japanese Katana. With the encouragement and blessing of his Kenjutsu instructor, Kuroda Tetsuzan O-Sensei, Master Jennings founded his own style, which he named Gaku Bu Ryu Kenjutsu. Master Jim has since earned his 1st Kyu and now serves as an Assistant Instructor in the style. |
Debbie BannisterWhen people think of a martial artist, they generally think of Bruce Lee or another martial arts superstar. So, when they discover that Master Debbie Bannister is a martial artist, too, they’re generally taken aback – she simply doesn’t fit the expected profile. Master Debbie is female, not exactly young anymore, (she’s over 60 yrs. old), and has 3 grown sons! What they don’t realize is that martial arts training isn’t about being able to perform the fantastic, sometimes aerial feats that the superstars can do. Rather, it’s about doing your personal best in martial arts and in life in general. Master Debbie began studying martial arts in 1987 when her son, Jim, (Master Jim) and she signed up at a local Tae Kwon Do school. Jim, then 5 years old, had been identified as having an attention deficit disorder and was dyslexic. Master Debbie and her husband hoped that martial arts would help with Jim’s focus and confidence. And, it did! However, just before their 2nd Dan black belt test, after 6 ½ years of training and 10 frustrating Instructor changes at the school they were at, they decided a change was in order. Master Debbie and Master Jim discovered Global Martial Arts Academy in 1994 and began studying Hapkido under Master Joe Borucki. They became Assistant Instructors in 1997 and were promoted to full Instructors in 1998, after they passed their 1st Dan black belt test in Hapkido. They’ve since been promoted up to 7th Dan and have been teaching and training in Hapkido now for quite a number of years! In addition to her excellent training under Master Borucki, through our affiliation with The United States Korean Martial Arts Federation (USKMAF), Master Debbie has had the opportunity to train under some of the most renowned Masters in the world including Grandmaster Bong, Soo Han - the “Father of Modern Hapkido,” Dr. He-Young Kimm - Hapkido and Kuk Sool Won Grandmaster and Founder of Han Mu Do, Grandmaster Kim, Jung Soo (Korea) - one of the three original students of Choi, Yong Sool (Founder of Hapkido), Grandmaster J. R. West - President of the USKMAF, Master Geoff Booth (Australia) – President of the International Hapkido Alliance and the Australian Hapkido Group, and Master Rudy Timmerman (Canada) – President of the National Korean Martial Arts Association. Master Debbie enjoys teaching because while we teach the kicks, falls and self-defense techniques that students come here expecting, Quest also focuses heavily on helping its students become better people through their martial arts training. Our instructors emphasize personal development: tenacity, confidence, focus, self-discipline, and the setting and achieving of goals – lessons that will serve them through life and help them make better choices at home, in school, at work and with their peers. Another thing Master Debbie loves about martial arts training is that it has always helped to keep her grounded when life doesn’t go as planned. It’s given her an inner strength that she hopes she’s passing on to her students. In addition to being a Hapkido Master, Master Debbie has also been trained and certified as a Reiki Master. Reiki is a type of energy (Ki) healing. |
