GongKwon Yusul
Encyclopedia
Gongkwon Yusul is a modern Korean martial art system founded by Kang Jun in 1996. Its main influences include the martial arts of Hapkido
(Yoo Sool Kwan and Hwarangdo), Hakko-ryu jujutsu
, Judo
and Kyuktooki (Korea
n style Thaiboxing). Gongkwon Yusul is a system which emphasises the application of striking, locking and throwing techniques in practical, free-flowing fighting situations, rather than the static applications, more in common in traditional styles of Hapkido.
It also varies from Hapkido in that many of its hand techniques are strongly influenced by Western boxing and that a significant part of Gongkwon Yusul training is in groundwork applying techniques more akin to Judo, than most Hapkido styles.
In a sense Gongkwon Yusul in an attempt to combine the practical, free-flowing technique application, often seen in mixed martial arts
, whilst still retaining many traditional martial art attributes, such as uniforms, terminology and ranking structure.
Since its foundation the art has grown rapidly in its home county of Korea with many dojangs
around Seoul and also some regional areas of South Korea. This martial art isn't widely known outside of Korea however there have been dojangs opened in other countries. The first was established in Brazil
in 2006, the second in Melbourne
in 2007, the third in Launceston
, Australia
in 2008, the fourth in Gold Coast
Australia in 2008, the fifth in Spain
in 2009 and the sixth in Brisbane
Australia in 2009.
Hapkido
Hapkido is a dynamic and also eclectic Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, techniques of other martial arts, as well as kicks, punches, and other striking attacks...
(Yoo Sool Kwan and Hwarangdo), Hakko-ryu jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
, Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
and Kyuktooki (Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n style Thaiboxing). Gongkwon Yusul is a system which emphasises the application of striking, locking and throwing techniques in practical, free-flowing fighting situations, rather than the static applications, more in common in traditional styles of Hapkido.
It also varies from Hapkido in that many of its hand techniques are strongly influenced by Western boxing and that a significant part of Gongkwon Yusul training is in groundwork applying techniques more akin to Judo, than most Hapkido styles.
In a sense Gongkwon Yusul in an attempt to combine the practical, free-flowing technique application, often seen in mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
, whilst still retaining many traditional martial art attributes, such as uniforms, terminology and ranking structure.
Since its foundation the art has grown rapidly in its home county of Korea with many dojangs
Dojang
Dojang is a term used in Korean martial arts, such as taekwondo, Kuk Sool Won, and hapkido, that refers to a formal training hall. It is typically considered the formal gathering place for students of a martial art to conduct training, examinations and other related encounters.-Meaning:Do means...
around Seoul and also some regional areas of South Korea. This martial art isn't widely known outside of Korea however there have been dojangs opened in other countries. The first was established in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in 2006, the second in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 2007, the third in Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 2008, the fourth in Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
Australia in 2008, the fifth in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 2009 and the sixth in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
Australia in 2009.
Ranks
GongKwon Yusul belt ranks are:- White
- Yellow (5th gup)
- Green (4th gup)
- Blue (3rd gup)
- Red (2nd gup)
- Brown (1st gup)
- Black