Choi Yong-sool

Choi Yong-sool (1899-1986) is the founder of Hapkido. A Korean martial artist who spent decades in Japan studying Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu under Sokaku Takeda - the same master who influenced Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba - Choi returned to Korea after World War II and began teaching a Korean interpretation of aiki-based joint locks, throws and strikes. His system, originally called Yawara or Daedon, evolved into Hapkido - a comprehensive Korean martial art combining the circular redirection principles of aiki arts with powerful kicks and strikes drawn from Korean fighting traditions.