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 (Korean style Thai-boxing). 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 or Brazilian Jujitu, than most
Hapkido styles. In a sense Gongkwon Yusul combines 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 gyms around Seoul
and also some regional areas of
South Korea. The
art is also growing outside Korea. The first international dojang
was established in Brazil in 2006, the second in
Melbourne, Australia
in 2007 and the third in Launceston,
Australia in 2008
