Hapkikwan

Serbia

1. History

Hapkikwan was founded in 1994. by Grandmaster Prof. Boris Krivokapic LL.D., distinguished scholar (University Professor) and Martial Artist (in Martial Arts since 1974). Ever since it has been developing in order to become even more comprehensive, efficient and realistic.

The name "Hapkikwan" comes from Korean language, meaning "The School of Harmonized Energy" and was chosen to explain that the Art is based upon Korean Hapkido. Yet, it is not just a new school of Hapkido, but the new Martial Art with rather different concept and numerous tactics, techniques and drills created by Prof. Krivokapic himself.

2. Philosophy

Hapkikwan is not for sports, it was created for realistic fight and personal physical and spiritual development. Great attention is paid to moral and general human values, yet the basic goal of practicing Hapkikwan is to learn and master modern efficient fighting system. It is which appropriate for law enforcement officers, military personnel and other professional but also for and ordinary citizens.

Hapkikwan does not have long history in Serbian tradition, but it expresses Slavic nature and spirit. All strategies and tactics are based on Slavic/Serbian understanding of fight including fast and fluid movements, serial attacks, a lot of feints, a lot of techniques targeting opponent's neck, take downs, etc.

3. Contents

1) Technic

Hapkikwan is comprehensive Martial Art with big curriculum. Student has to learn how to fight against one or more opponents, how to defend unarmed against armed opponents, how to use great number of arms, some special skills, etc.

All types of techniques are widely represented: punches and other strikes with fists, palms elbows and other parts of arms; great number of different kicks (very much of Taekwondo and Hapkido style); different throws, joint locks, choking, use of pressure points, ground work, defense against all basic arms; use od some 15 basic arms (some of them coming from Slavic tradition); etc.

Regardless of fact that due to specific system of training which includes 6 types of sparring, Hapkikwan students become capable to compete under almost any rules, Hapkikwan is not a Sport, but Martial Art. It is for defense and fight not for competition.

2) Style

There are no different styles within Hapkikwan. On the other hand some tactics and techniques are rather different among themselves, thus reminding of different approaches, yet within single fighting system.

3) Rank & Grade

In order to make it easier to compare with other major world Martial Arts, belt system is accepted.

There are 10 grades for students (colored belts) and 10 ranks of advanced (black belts). Black belts are called "crni pojasevi" or in widely accepted international terminology "Dans". To achieve 1st Dan it normally takes 5 years.

Holders of 1-4th Dan are Instructors, of 5-6th Dan are Masters, 7th Dan'International Masters, 8-9th Dan are Grandmasters and 10th Dan is for Founder-Head Grandmaster.

4. Organization

□ web-site
www.hapkikwan.com