Originally posted by hapki-bujutsu
He saod grandmaster lim was the eldest student and the true owner of hapkido. Now that I have left his school I am not sure he was 100% correct.
As jkn said before Korean martial art history is pretty foggy at times. Certain things can be proved, such as some of the information about Grandmaster Lim (Im), Hyun-Soo.
These things are proven...
1. Grandmaster Lim is one of only 3 people in the world to receive his 9th dan directly from Dojunim Choi, Yong Sul.
2. Grandmaster Lim trained with Dojunim Choi for over 15 years.
3. When Dojunim Choi closed his dojang in 1976 he joined with Grandmaster Lim and taught out of GM Lim's Jung Ki Kwan until 1986 when he passed away.
Now as far as being "the true owner of Hapkido," I know Master Todd and we all can get pretty excited at times, but I don't believe that GM Lim would acknowledge that. He is a very humble man with unbelievable technique. At one point, it has been said that Dojunim Choi had appointed Chang, Chin-Il as his successor before he died, but the video tape proving that has not been released.
(GM Chang is one of the other two receiving their 9th dan from Dojunim Choi) The surviving family of Dojunim Choi has appointed GM Kim, Yun-Sang as his successor.
(GM Kim is the third to receive their 9th dan from Dojunim Choi)
Grandmaster Lim, Hyun-Soo is a major source of Dojunim Choi's Hapkido, but as far as being the owner I believe he doesn't care who owns it, because he just does what his teacher taught.
Originally posted by hapki-bujutsu
What other peoples thoughts on the founder of hapkido?
There are two thoughts within the Hapkido Community about the founder.
1. Choi, Yong-Sul - Founder of Hapkido
2. Ji, Han-Jae - Founder of Hapkido
Dojunim Choi says he created the name Hapkido. Ji Han Jae has said he created the name Hapkido and allowed Dojunim Choi to use it for what he taught.
There is a big discussion on what Hapkido is between Dojunim Choi's Hapkido and GM Ji's Hapkido. To me, itÂ’s as Master Kong would say, "Same, Same, a little different." By how one defines "Hapkido" is where they will decide who the founder is.
Originally posted by hapki-bujutsu
Is there really any one true version of this anymore?
Sorry brotha, No. We can believe what we are told by our elders or we can just go by the facts that can be proved in todayÂ’s world. So that is totally up to you.
Take care.
The picture below is of Dojunim Choi with a young GM Lim, Hyun-Soo.