With intense seminar and exams, “International Hapkido Seminar” was held with GM Jang Hee Chang
Two intense and interesting days of Korean self-defense took place last weekend, with the “International Hapkido Seminar” with GM Jang Hee Chang, president of the World Hapkido Kumdo Federation (WHKF).
This event was organized by the Hapkido Alliance Mexico Association, directed by Sabonim Arturo Herra Cid, who is also a representative of the WHKF Mexico, along with his team of international instructors, at the SEDENA Deportivo “Héroes de la Revolución”, in Naucalpan, State of Mexico.
Day 1 – Official opening and start of “International Hapkido Seminar”
In this place, the activities started on Saturday, October 12, in a room of this sports complex, with a ceremony attended by teachers and special guests, including José Vicente Muñoz Sampayo, founder of Budo Goshin Jutsu Ryu México and instructor of the Mexican Army and Air Force, representing the Armed Forces of our country.
Likewise, Ms. Silvia Gallegos Cruz attended, representing her husband, C. Cor. Military Police of the General Staff, Antonio Manuel Martínez, as well as Master Fernando Olvera Betancour, member of the Philippine Cacoy Doce Pares Hall of Fame.
Along with them, were the International Instructors of the WHKF Mexico, Javier Gutiérrez Parra and Raúl Aguilar Aguilar; the Combat Krav Maga Mexico Instructor, Antonio Arce Adame; and Arturo Sinuhé Navarro Téllez, from the Mexican Moo Duk Kwan Association.
Master Carlos Gómez de Olivera, 9th Dan Taekwondo ITF and 7th Dan of Hapkido, president of the Hwarang Association and representative in Latin America of the WHKF, also arrived at this event from Argentina; International Instructor Javier Álvarez, URII Police Instructor, Senior Technician in Public and Citizen Security and University Professor at the Latin American Open University UAI in the City of Rosario; and Sabonim Alejandro Cortés, 3rd Dan and international WHKF instructor; while Professor Israel Hernández Pozo was representing Cuba.
This inauguration ceremony, where honors were paid to the patriotic labarum, awards were given to the distinguished guests, as well as to GM Jang Hee Chang, who, in turn, presented a recognition to maestro José Vicente Muñoz Sampayo, as representative of Military hapkido in Mexico.
Once the formal ceremony was over, the guest teachers, as well as GM Jang, gave way to exhibitions of their respective self-defense techniques, after which the warm-up began to start the sessions of the “International Hapkido Seminar.” .
In this regard, in an interview with Sendero Artes Marciales, Ms. Silvia Gallegos Cruz, gave her point of view about this event and the exhibitions.
“It was sensational, it is an extraordinary experience to learn about new techniques that they are using,” he said.
He commented that, although his children practice taekwondo, they are now learning about another aspect of martial arts.
“This is wonderful, knowing other techniques. We do not stay stuck in a single technique or discipline. “This is learning,” he said.
He commented that this type of events is very nutritious for the Mexican army, since they help create, from families, discipline in children.
“Not necessarily Taekwondo or Hapkido. Simply and simply begin to instill that sport and the discipline to form better human beings” he stated.
Finally, Ms. Silvia Gallegos made an invitation to promote sport, whatever it may be, to form better people for society.
In this first stage of the “International Hapkido Seminar” with the support of Brenda Anahi Sandoval Reyes in the translation, GM Jang Hee Chang gave instructions to the attendees to carry out different methods to get rid of grips and counterattack an aggressor, as well as techniques of projection and submission, among other activities that lasted until late into the night.
Day 2 – “International Hapkido Seminar” and Dan grade exams
For the second day of the “International Hapkido Seminar”, the activities also began early in the morning, but, unlike the previous day, the excitement was different, since this same day several Black Belts would take their Dan grade exam.
This made the practice more intense, as well as the review and corrections of the techniques they saw the previous day, which lasted until around 3:00 p.m., when GM Jang Hee Chang changed the dynamic.
After asking the attendees to sit down, he indicated to certain people that they will form a square or triangle within the tatami area, with another one in the center.
Immediately, those who formed the geometric figure received a number, with which they should continue to carry out a certain attack on the person in the center who, in turn, had to use a specific or free technique to defend and counterattack, having to keep moving. and alert at all times.
In this dynamic that lasted for more than an hour, everyone present participated, but those who were continually in the center were those who would take their Dan grade exam and who, without knowing it, were already taking it.
After these tests, GM Jang gave instructions for three rows to be formed, according to the grades, everyone would perform a series of jumps, falls and projections, with the male Black Belt being the most demanding, since one person stood side by side. bench that rose until it was standing.
These activities occurred continuously until after 6:00 p.m., without a break, until the order was given to form.
It was then that Sabonim Arturo Herrera Cid reported that the intensity of the training was because, from the beginning of the practice, the exam began for several of those present, who, thanks to their effort, managed to obtain a Dan grade, so they proceeded to deliver the tape and corresponding certificate.
GM Jang Hee Chang and his style of Hapkido
Regarding the “International Hapkido Seminar”, GM Jang Hee Chang commented that it was the first after several years of absence in Mexico, which was part of a series of activities that he will carry out in other countries.
Regarding the techniques that were taught, he mentioned that, unlike traditional Korean Hapkido, on this occasion, the focus was on more real situations that can be applied by women and people who are not muscular.
He noted that these movements were designed for real situations and with natural and simple, but effective movements, without complicated techniques.
He pointed out that his Hapkido system is different from other styles, since he himself has a thin physical constitution, he adapted it for thin people, short stature, mainly, but where energy management and natural and real movements are effective. .
With these words, the “International Hapkido Seminar” organized by the members of the Hapkido Alliance Mexico Association came to an end, who had to share their experience in Guatemala and other places that we will inform you about later.
