World Hapkido Championship draws 15 nations to Busan

The world's largest hapkido competition, drawing 1,200 participants including about 150 foreign athletes from 15 countries, was held in Busan.

The Hanminjok Hapkido Musul Association, led by President Seo Seong-il, announced Thursday that it hosted the 14th World Hapkido Musul Festival and Championship at Dong-A University's indoor gymnasium in Busan on June 20 and 21.

The day before the competition, on June 19, the Hapkido Original Form Preservation Society held a seminar at the Commodore Hotel in Busan, where the association's general director and Seo personally instructed branch heads from 20 countries along with domestic and international students. On June 20, the first day of competition, events included falling techniques, breaking, kicking, six-person and group demonstrations, and sparring matches. On June 21, the final day, weapons, self-defense, forms and sparring divisions were held, along with country-by-country demonstration performances that drew an enthusiastic response.

Jeong Yu-jin, head instructor of Jeonggwan Jeil Dojang, claimed the overall championship title. Song Yong-jin of Heungnyong Hapkido took runner-up honors, and Kim Deok-yong of Winner Hapkido finished third.

On June 22, participants visited Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju to reflect on the spirit of national martial arts and the Hwarang tradition, holding an outdoor hapkido training session. On June 23, joint training continued at Bosingak, Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung in Seoul.

The association said the "Han" in Hanminjok Hapkido carries the meanings of "great" and "one," adding that the event showed hapkido practitioners from around the world coming together as one in South Korea.

"Thanks to everyone — executives, the organizing committee, participating instructors and athletes — all becoming one in spirit through the Korean traditional martial art Hanminjok Hapkido, transcending nationality, we were able to hold a successful event," Seo said.