kung fu - hapkido

[daveau]

A question for anyone who has studied and practiced a variety of styles.

I know that Hapkido is scientific, logical, practical and versitile. I have been learning for 1 1/2 years. I am taking it on as a part of my lifestyle.

I would also be interested in the comments of others in a comparsion in the practicallity aspect of Kung Fu and Hapkido. In some ways to me they are so different and in other ways they are so similar. So many variables, so many people of each culture and style living and breathing the different techniques.

If 2 martial artists were to combat one trained in Hapkido, the other in Kung Fu - how the flow of the enguagement appear?

General question - I know, however, opinions would be appreciated.

[silverhand]

I am very biased to the Korean Arts of course, but I will be more than happy to give my opinion.

My experiance, I must admit, is very limited in the styles and aspects of Kung Fu. I have fought a few different Kung Fu stylists in the past and while I am very impressed with the complexity, variety, and beauty of all styles of Kung Fu, they are all different.

Of the schools of Kung Fu I know personally, my opinion of them is quite poor. Their experiance in actual contact fighting is limited if not non-existant. For example, the Master of one school told me that they didnt need to spar. He told me that his son, upon obtaining a blackbelt equivilant, had to defend himself in a life or death situation against three attackers and won. While I was very impressed with this story, he then told me that while he won, he broke both hands and both feet. Umm..hello? Wouldn't impact training on heavy bags at least have helped prevent that???? His answer was no.

To answer your question..who would win between a Hapkidoist and a Kung Fu stylist? Hands down, Hapkidoist. THis opinion is of course based on my limited, and mostly ignorant experiance with Kung Fu in general. The flow of the fight: Kung Fu stylist, depending on style, fast, furious, acrobatic, large sweeping motions, mostly hand techniques. Hapkidoist: calm, studied, smooth, technical, using throws, hands, joint locks, chokes, and kicks.

[H@pkid0ist]

I have heard Hap Ki Do compared to as the Korean equivelent of Shaolin Gung Fu. I have never studied Sha. GF, so this I have to take someone elses word for. I have thought fought a Southern Shaolin Gung Fu stylist. He had studied multiple systems. S. Sha. GF. for 14 years, Drunken GF 5years, Capoera 2 years, Karate (style unsure) 3 or 4 years and I think one or 2 other systems. It has been a while. While the forms and everything were beautiful, he could not adapt to my fighting style in a fight. I was able to adapt and overcome no matter what he threw at me, reguardless of style he tried to use. When he went linear I went circular. When he went circular I went slightly linear and circular, but made my circular aspect closer and more aggressive. The better fighter, or luckier one will win most every time, but the diversity of Hapkido and its training has taught me how to better overcome and adapt than the 8 other system I have studied myself. TKD, MT, WC, Monkey GF, JJJ, Shorin Ryu, American style Boxing and A style wrestling. Though I am still mysified by genuine Shaolin Monks and their abilities. I'm sure that if I fought one of them things would have turned out a tad bit different

[kodanjaclay]

Perhaps I can be of some assistance in this matter. Most of you are fmailiar with my Hapkido background. What is not as apparent is that I have received training from Lee, Sauk Kyu a So Rim monk, and that I have been studying both N. Shaolin and Hun Gar.

First, the Chinese arts have a system called Chin Na. This system may have been the precursor to other grappling arts, particularly if one accepts the theory that martial art began in China. This is a debate for the Hopological Society, so I will not endulged this aspect further. At Any rate, Chin Na is a seizing art and shares many similarities with Hapkido.

Second, the training I am receiving in my Kung Fu training is every bit as challenging, and in some ways more challenging, that that I received in Hapkido. They are both VERY good martial arts, and very good for the body. They are just different.

Hapkido IS NOT a Korean form of Kung Fu, unless one goes with the more accurate translation of Kung Fu, attainment after great effort. However, most other arts would also be Kung Fu.

AS to the theory of who would win... its very simple. The better fighter. People think that because they pay a few bucks a month, they are entitled to the wisdom it has taken the Orient, in its collective, hundreds of years to develop and refine. This is not the case. True Tuition is Sweat and Tears, and in some cases Blood. The better fighter is one who is willing to pay true tuition and refine himself through combat. So at the end of the day, the system is actually insignificant. I have seen great and inspiring fighters in each art. I have also seen those who made me feel embarrassed for them. I think that what will matter is the path the individual selects, and then their tenacity in following that path.

Finally, as per forum rules, please remember to sign your post with your real name.

[Kyosamick]

This debate is interesting. I have a colleague who is a Kung Fuist and we were gonna spare in a coupla weeks so when the result comes through i'll let you guys know. it's Moo Moo kwan Hapkido versus Wing Chun Kung Fu

[H@pkid0ist]

Originally posted by kodanjaclay
[B]Hapkido IS NOT a Korean form of Kung Fu, unless one goes with the more accurate translation of Kung Fu, attainment after great effort. However, most other arts would also be Kung Fu.
/B]

I did not say that it was a korean form of Gung FU. I said that I heard it to be compared to as the Korean equivelent of Shaolin Gung Fu. Nothing more than that. Just a compairison. They are both wide in their diversity of techniques an intense in the requirements of their training. As well traditional Hapkido is not only a highly refined self-defense system, but also a method to expand its practitioner’s physical and mental consciousness. Just as do the Shaolin. We are not Shaolin but this is the comparison I have heard many high ranking and influincial MAists of several different system make.

[kodanjaclay]

The comparison none the less is faulty. I hold an Oh Dan in Hapkido (5th Dan) and a Yuk dan (6th Dan) in Taekwondo. I suppose that makes me a high ranking martial artist, as well. As someone who has studied Shaolin, N. Shaolin and S. Shaolin I can see why they would make certain comparisons, but only in the way that one would compare and Orange with a Ruby Red Orange (Can you tell I'm a Floridian? lol).

The training for any of the above is arduous and in some respects similar, but none the less they share few characteristics.

Let me know about the Kung Fu vs Hapkido battle :)

[martialartsfreak]

Hi Daveau. I am currently training in both hapkido and eagle claw kungfu. I also trained in hung gar and shoalin long fist kungfu. As Kodanjaclay pointed out, the chinese have a system call chin-na which is incoperated into almost every kungfu style. It is a joint-locking art and is very very similar to hapkido joint lock. The only diiference is in the application of a technique. In eagle claw, we are taught to use acrobats to flip out of a joint-lock and escape as the whole style is primarily a joint-locking style with the eagle grip replacing normal everyday grips and holds. The chinese also do not do breakfalls. The training in kung fu is very demanding "kung fu" translates into "hard work" or something close to that. As far as who will win if both styles meet in combat, I would have to say it depends on how hard each individual has trained and how good they are.

[zozer7]

I may be a better fighter in Hapkido but slip on some ice. That may allow the Kung Fu stylist the opportinity to win. Can you tell I am from Baltimore Kodanjaclay? LOL

[dingodog1]

I read all the posts in this thread and understand the responses but the reason I searched is that I heard a guy on the fitness channel describe Hapkido which he practiced, as "Korean Kung Fu". Made me wonder.

Good to be back on Budoseek.

[dingodog1]

I also seem to recall a post on the Dojang digest where someone posted that Praying Mantis was part of the contributing arts to Hapkido. I just remember reading it, is all. The guy seemed so self assured; maybe he had just remembered reading it too!