Hapkikwan

Hapkikwan is a Serbian martial art that was founded in 1994 by Grandmaster , distinguished Serbian scholar (Full Professor of Public International Law with Megatrend University) and Martial Artist.
Prof. Krivokapic has been practicing various Martial Arts since 1974, He holds Grandmaster ranks in several Martial Arts. Among other matters he is President and Supreme Instructor of Hapkikwan International (www.hapkikwan.com) and President of International Combat Union (www.internationalcombatunion.com).
Although founded as early as in 1994, Hapkikwan has been developing ever since, in order to become even more comprehensive, efficient and realistic. It is created for modern people - law enforcement and military professionals, but also for ordinary citizens regardless of their age and gender.
The name
The name "Hapkikwan" comes from Korean language, meaning "The School of Harmonized Energy" and was chosen to explain that the Art is based upon Korean Hapkido. Yet, it has been significantly influenced by various other Martial Arts. Moreover, there are numerous tactics, techniques and drills created by himself. So, this is not just a new school of Hapkido, but the new Martial Art.
As such, Hapkikwan is recognized as Serbian Martial Arts by the World Martial Arts Union (WoMAU, www.womau.com), international Martial Arts organization with headquorters in Chungju (South Korea), which is the only international Martial Arts organization recognized by UNESCO and working with the UN on preservation of Martial Arts as heritage of the mankind. At WoMAU General Meeting held in Korea on December 7-9.2009, Hapkikwan was accepted as new fulfledged member, along with the world's most renoven Martial Arts.
Techniques
Hapkikwan is comprehensive Martial Art with very big curriculum. Student has to learn how to fight against one or more opponents, how to defend unarmed against armed opponents, how to use great number of arms, some special skills, etc. All types of techniques are widely represented: punches and other strikes with fists, palms elbows and other parts of arms; great number of different kicks (very much of Taekwondo and Hapkido style); different throws, joint locks, choking, use of pressure points, ground work, defense against all basic arms; use od some 15 weapons (some of them coming from Slavic tradition); etc.
For instance, to get first black belt (1st Dan) student has to learn really a lot: how to safely fall in various ways; dozens of kicking techniques (including all jumping kicks and kicking from the floor); dozens of hand strikes (including many of them with fingers, elbows, but also other parts of arm); escapes from all possible holds; many grappling and throwing techniques; all ground techniques (chokes, joint locks on arms and legs); counters against attempts of punching, kicking, throwing etc. Also part of program are breaking boards, sparring, etc. Only after getting black belt (1st Dan) student is taught advanced techniques such as fight against 2 or more opponents, one hand techniques, use of various weapons. This also includes use of everyday objects such as umbrella, suitcase, pencil etc.
Purpose
Regardless of fact that due to specific system of training which includes 6 types of sparring, Hapkikwan students become capable to compete under almost any rules, Hapkikwan is not a Sport, but a Martial Art. It is not for competition but for realistic fight, self-defence and personal physical and spiritual development..
Although with routs in Korean Hapkido, Hapkikwan expresses Slavic nature and spirit. All strategies and tactics are based on Slavic understanding of fight including fast and fluid movements, serial attacs, a lot of feints, a lot of techniques targeting opponent's neck, takedowns, etc.
Ranks
In respect to ranks and grades, in order to make it easier to compare with other major world Martial Arts, belt system is accepted. There are 10 grades for students (colored belts) and 10 ranks of advanced (black belts). Black belts are called "crni pojasevi" or in widely accepted international terminology "Dans". To achieve 1st Dan it normally takes 5 years. Holders of 1-4th Dan are Instructors, of 5-6th Dan are Masters, 7th Dan - International Masters, 8-9th Dan are Grandmasters and 10th Dan is for Founder - Head Grandmaster.
Hapkikwan is officially recognized by Serbian authorities, World Martial Arts Union (WoMAU, South Korea) and by International Martial Arts federations from more than 50 countries of the world.

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