Mike's Tae Kwon Do: History

Haidong Gumdo originated in the ancient kingdom of Korkuryo. In the beginning Sulbongsumin, who mastered the secret of swordsmanship, established the training dojang (school) called Samurang, and taught his disciples Gumdo the “Way of the Sword”.

Samurang became the origin of the Samurai in Japan. Samurangs adopted loyalty, filial piety, courtesy, justice, faithfulness, intelligence, virtue and physical soundness as their ideals for the training of the mind and body.

They served the Great King of Kwangkaeto ( 371 - 384 AD ) to build a great and mighty kingdom.

Haidong Gumdo means the “Light” of the sword as the “Energy” rising up in the morning in the Eastern sea.

Haidong Gumdo is a Korean sword art that draws from battlefield tactics and techniques to build a curriculum for mental, physical and spiritual development.

In modern Haidong Gumdo, students learn prearranged Forms, combat drills, sitting and moving meditation, sparing as well as bamboo and straw cutting.

Beginners practice with the wooden training sword to develop fundamentals. Advanced practitioners with the proper respect and control train with both the wooden training sword (mok- gum) and the metal practice sword ( gah-gum ). At first Dan (black belt) the adult has finally earned the privilege of using a forged steel sword ( jin-gum ).

Powerful, complex and beautiful, Haidong Gumdo is a wonderful style, which can be pursued throughout your life.

In the opinion of Master Ralph Estrada, Haidong Gumdo combined with TaeKwonDo is the combination of Um and Yang (Hard and Soft), which completes the Universe.