MASTER GEDOffiG The GENTLEMAN of HAPKIDO

SAM PLUMB interviews Hapkido Master Chang exclusively for FIGHTERS

MASTER GEDO CHANG. 8th Chang is small in stature but a ieeling of Hapkido and president of the World power emanates from him. Having Hapkido Union, recently held his first Ki watched him in action, I can attest that and Hapkido Seminar in the UK at the his mastery of "Ki" combined with the Musubi No Cho Centre in "physical" skills of Hapkido make him a Lincoln. Master Chang was here at the very lbnnideible rnan. As well as giving invitation of his student Tanmy Parlour. one of the most enjoyable seminars on Tammy spent many years studying Korean Hapkido I have ever attended, I Hapkido under Master Chang in the lound Master Chang to be a perfect USA. She recently returned to England gentleman. and now runs regular Hapkido classes in Sam Plumb: Master Chang, whY and the city of Lincoln. when did you begin your martial arts During a break in the seminar I hari training? the opportunity to interview Illaster Chang exclusively for Flglirers. This was Gedo Chang: My family background the first time I had met, and trained, with - rny father was a monk and he taught Hapkido Master Gedo Chang, Sth Dan. Master Chang and I rvas nervous. Master me from childhood. SP: When did you first travel to the USA? GC: First in 1968, then again in 1912 and finally in 1973 I came with my family. SP: Had you already set up Hapkido schools before 1973? GC: Before 1913 I taught security guards, detectives and police personnel. SP: Is Hapkido very strong in the USA? GC: No, not as strong as , Kung-Fu or . For instanc€, I am from Chicago and there are 60 Taekwondo masters there, but only three Hapkido masters. So Hapkido is not well known to the general public, but the martial artists know of Hapkido and that it is very practical. SP: Can you tell us about Your organization, the World Hapkido Union? GC: The World Hapkido Union? I Some of the invited participants at Master Chang's seminan don't have much to talk about the Union

MAY 1995 FIGHTERS more and more pure. Through discipline different to Taekwondo Forms. although I am a 5th Degree in that art. you will naturally conquer yourself. So, SP: Do you use protective wear, such SP: Finally, Master Chang, what actually, our enemies are not in the street; as body armour, for instance? advice would you like to give to all the our enemies are within - feaq anxiety, GC: No, not at Some people Hapkido students in the UK? arrogance - these type of things. We have all. believe good to overcome them. that full-contact is when GC: I have not met many British but we are not supposed to cause Hapkido students so I don't know what SP: How is Hapkido developing injury. In my school we don't wear to say. According to my experience in today? protective gear and we don't have full America, I think you will have the same GC: You mean technique-wise? contact. It is difficult to develop problems as Hapkido students in the SP: How has Hapkido changed since techniques through full contact because States. What I want to say to all martial its inception? For instance some schools they always depend on one or one artists, notjust Hapkido students, is that have added Forms when originally there . Sometimes. when sparring in some people haVe a desire to learn many were no forms in Hapkido. class, you lightly touch the face or a vital different martial arts at once. So many area of the body of your partner. With martial arts schools of today advertise as GC: As long as they do not forget the full force the opponent would easily be teaching , Karate, Kung Fu, Hapkido principles of Hapkido. They can perfect knocked down. I believe techniques are - it is impossible. I want people to stay new techniques, they can de-organise, more important. Hapkido is a martial art; with one martial art and to try to achieve they can revise. When all martial arts we are meant to be artistic. a ceftain proficiency. Once they reach were created it was war time; always this proficiency they be fighting between tribes and different don't have to concerned about other martial arts. There kingdoms. So the purpose of martial arts Defensive style is "He was killing each other. However, an old Samurai maxim: who has mastered an art will rebuild it in his every nowadays we are not supposed to kill SP: You hold high grades in both action". each other. So for self defence purposes Hapkido and Taekwondo, how would you martial arts must be soft. When a martial compare the two? SP: Master Chang, thank you very artist becomes a Master he can start his GC: I love Taekwondo but I like much For your time. own school and add his own techniques. Hapkido better. Taekwondo is aggressive Anyone wishing further information Sure, Hapkido originally didn't have and a hard style. Hapkido is the opposite on the Korean art of Hapkido should Forms. In the mid 1960's the - softer, non-violent and a defensive style. write to Sam Plumb, European Hapkido HapkidoAssociation allowed Masters to If you study my style of Hapkido you will Alliance, 28 Jubilee Road, Whitwell, add Forms if they wished. Even in my naturally understand and punches Worksop, Notts. S80 4PL; telephone school I created Forms which were much so I don't have to teach Taekwondo, 0t909 123023.

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MAY 1995