| Making of a Grandmaster |
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Grandmaster Han has stated several times that he is indeed a blessed
man. He has had the unique opportunity to train and master several
martial arts and was fortunate to train under three famous martial
artists of his time.
His first teacher was Son Bop Sa. Master Son was a traveling monk
who had observed the young Man Han. He then presented himself to
the young man's mother and asked permission to take the boy along
with him and educate him in meditation and martial arts. Permission
was granted and the six-year-old Man went off with the monk to train
and learn.
Most of the training Grandmaster Han went through was the strengthening
and sensitizing of the mind. In other words, he was trained to have
a strong "sixth sense" mainly through Zen and other mental
activities. His training consisted of focusing the mind through
meditation and qigong or breathing exercises.
Six years later, the young Han began to long for home and asked
his master for permission to go back and see his parents. The monk
conceded and let the young man go. It would be the last time he
would ever see his master again.
The second of his famous instructors was a man known as Byung In
Yun. Master Yun taught Grandmaster Han a system called Kong Soo,
one that predated Tae Kwon Do. Grandmaster Han began training under
Master Yun at the age of 13.
At the same time, the young Han met Sae Chong Wang. Master Wang
was his Youn Wha instructor. Although the Youn Wha system contains
forms, it is mainly a conglomeration of high level fighting techniques
from all the martial art systems.
During this same time period of middle school and high school,
Grandmaster Han also studied Hwarang-do, Kendo, Hapkido, and various
weapons. He has attained an 8th dan in Hwarang-do, 7th dan in Kendo,
8th dan in Hapkido, 4th dan in Judo and has trained extensively
in 24 different weapons: rope, throwing star, double sticks, short
stick, six foot staff, Hapkido cane, tonfa, sai, and others.
After leaving high school, Grandmaster Han entered the law program
at Kon Kuk University and graduated with his Bachelor's degree.
Grandmaster Han is a respected member of the martial arts community
and was on the Board of Directors in the Korean Tae Kwon Do Federation
in its early days. He helped design the Palgue forms presently used
by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. During his tenure with the
Korean Tae Kwon Do Federation, Grandmaster Han was appointed president
of the North Province of Seoul.
Besides his martial arts credentials, Grandmaster Han served as
a Special Tactics Instructor for the Korean Intelligence Agency,
teaching martial art techniques to the Korean military.
He was also called to train the 7th US Army Infantry Division from
1970 to 1972 in hand to hand combat and served as Close Combat Instructor
for the 2nd Army Infantry Division from 1972 to 1976.
In 1976, Grandmaster Han and his family made the choice to immigrate
to the United States. His first encounter with the U.S. was New
Jersey. From there the Han facility moved to Tennessee, Florida,
and in 1978, to Dallas, Texas.
Grandmaster Han firmly believes that the Youn Wha Ryu is the best
system available because of its completeness. He has a dream of
reaching the entire world with the Youn Wha system, and through
his instructors he hopes to accomplish this. ... NEXT
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