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HEADS
UP: Navy personnel practising the Korean art of Hapkido.
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By
Michael Brooke
Some
of the Navy’s PTIs and students of martial arts are following
the ‘Way of the Dragon’ by studying the Korean martial art of
Hapkido.
POPT Brad Walsh, 37, from HMAS Albatross is studying Hapkido
under the tutelage of two-time world champion John Gill, who
won his fourth world title at the Martial Arts World Championship
in Las Vagas in June.
POPT Walsh said that Hapkido appeals particularly to Navy personnel
because it is a form of self defence that likens itself to water.
“The Hapkido ‘Water Principle; is best described if you can
imagine the quiet, direct strength in free-flowing water.
“As the flowing stream penetrates and surrounds its obstructions
and as the dripping water eventually penetrates the stone, so
does the Hapkido strength flow in and through its opponents”
–POPT Brad Walsh POPT Walsh and half a dozen other Navy personnel
train together several times a week, but they also make the
journey to Sydney every fortnight to learn from John Gill, who
wants to promote his self defence style among women and children.
POPT Walsh, who has studied many martial arts and captured the
Black Belt Title in Victoria in the mid 1990s, said he and other
Navy members are studying the Hapkido Instructors course because
they want to teach other sailors how to defend themselves.
“I’m moving towards getting my qualification as a teacher so
I can pass on my skills to other Navy personnel who would benefit
from this training,” he said.
POPT Walsh said Hapkido was a style invented by Korean monks
and translates as the Art of Co-ordinated Power’.
“Hapkido philosophy emphasises that people live in peace and
harmony with each other, to have non-aggressive attitudes, self-control
and respect for yourself and others and to be positive and to
strive to achieve one’s best in life,” he said.
Hapkido is primarily defensive in nature, and combines punching,
kicking, throwing, takedowns, sweeping, falling, rolling, joint
locking, pressure points, restraining, breakaway techniques
and weaponry, to make it one incredibly complete martial art
system.
