HYDERABAD: After Taekwondo, Karate and Judo, the city is all set to start its first Hapkido training centre. Called Telangana Hapkido Association, it is also the first in Telangana.
Hapkido is a traditional Korean martial art that consists of kicking, twisting and throwing techniques and involves joint locks along with pressure point techniques. “All major martial arts taught in India currently emphasise on physical drills and training practitioners to channelise brutal force through punch, kick and throw. Hapkido is however simple, where it combines the inner energy of one’s self and also the attacker’s. It is blended to create multiple effects – either for self defence or attack the opponent,” explains Sardar Sheikh, 54-year-old instructor and founder of Hapkido Federation India, at the Hapkido workshop was held at ITC Kaktiya on Tuesday.
Sharing his experiences he says, “Several college students have come to learn Hapkido because they were unable to concentrate on studies. After six months of basic training, their concentration improved and so did their grades.”
The event saw active participation of enthusiastic girls, who were keen to learn self defence methods. “The aim of the session was to instill self confidence in women. They were taught how to protect themselves with simple hand techniques,” he says.
Elaborating more Kusuma, a black belt holder, says, “I was a victim of eve-teasing and that incident made me learn Hapkido. My father motivated me to join these classes and today I am very confident that I can defend myself from any danger.”
With crime rates on the rise, “It is very important for girls to get trained in a martial art that does not require much energy but allows them to defend themselves. This can help them move around fearlessly even after sundown,” says Khadija who accompanied her three children, also black belt holders in Hapkido.
The Association plans to set up training centres for girls and also organise a Hapkido National Championship in the city.