Hangul 원광화 McCune–Reischauer Wŏn Kwanghwa | Revised Romanization Won Gwanghwa | |
Won Kwang-hwa was one of the earliest students of Korean hapkido under the founder of the art Choi Yong-sool and Seo Bok-seob. He was a pioneer of the art opening one of the first schools for the art in Seoul, the Moo Sool Kwan.
Contents
Life
Won Kwang-hwa was born in what is now South Korea.
Accomplishments
Won Kwang-hwa also served as a personal secretary and body guard to Seo Bok-seob's father, congressman Suh Dong-jin. Having first learned hapkido from Suh he later studied directly from Choi Yong-sool. In 1962, when Kim Moo-hong opened up his Shin Moo-hong dojang in Seoul he became one the instructors there. Shortly thereafter Won opened his own school the Moo Sool Kwan.
Being an older practitioner when he started his training, and having pragmatic reasons for studying the art, Won's Moo Sool Kwon emphasized what he believed constituted practical self-defense techniques. Moo Sool Kwan emphasizes powerful and direct techniques and a greater emphasis on strength in responses rather than ki power. There is also a preference towards whole body throws than wrist centered joint locking throws.
Some of his notable students were Park Lee-hyun, Kimm He-young, Won Hyung-dae
Won Hyung-dae, his son, took over the management of the kwan upon his father's death.