Achievements
New KMAC Banner!
(November 29, 2011)
KMAC would like to extend our appreciation to the Gonzalez family for their generous contribution to the main gym!
Kemscrima-doh Black Belt Test
(October 29, 2011)
Merced, CA - KMAC's Master Jimmy McCullough, student of Grandmaster/Sifu Glenn Abrescy (founder of Kemscrima-doh), produces his first generation of quality black belts in the art. The official Black Belt tests were held at the Kemscrima-doh world headquarters in Merced, CA.
Front row: Sifu Glenn Abrescy & Grandmaster Richard Goldstein |
KMAC's Mark Jr. makes 2011 AAU National Team!
(September 17, 2011)
Ft. Lauderdale, FL - KMAC's own Mark Formalejo Jr. fights his way to a gold medal at the AAU team trials and captures a place as a member of the 2011 - 2012 AAU National Team (Jr. Featherweight 112 - 121 lbs.)
The entire KMAC Family is proud of you! Way to REPRESENT KMAC, MARK!
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Another International Gold Medal for Haley!
(August 28th, 2011)
KMAC's Haley Kong (AAU National Team Capt) Captures Gold at The Costa Rica Open 2011!
KMAC's Haley Kong - Interview with Stanford Taekwondo
(July 23, 2011)
Click Here to be transferred to Stanford.edu for more about Haley's interview with Stanford TKD!
Taekwondo Times magazine
(January 2011 issue)
World Hapkido Master's Conference
Asan, South Korea - Hapkido Founder DoJuNim Ji, Han Jae recently held his Handing Down The Techniques International Sin-Moo Hapkido Seminar & World Hapkido Master's Conference at the Sun-Moon University in Asan, South Korea. The highlight of the event was the promotion of the three international grandmasters to the level of tenth-degree black belt. DoJuNim Ji, Han Jae, having announced his retirement, has appointed Grandmasters Kenneth P. MacKenzie (USA), Jurg Ziegler (Switzerland) and Merrill Jung (Hong Kong / USA) as the three chosen "Supreme Grandmasters" to carry the torch forward. Several additional eighth and ninth-dan promotions were also administered at the event, which was well-attended by the leading Hapkido representatives from 14 nations.
KMAC Wins San Francisco Bay Guardian's "Best of the Bay" award!
BEST HAPKIDO HEROES
Don't let the small size of its Ocean Avenue storefront location fool you: the Korean Martial Arts Center houses some mighty big kicks. Leading one of the best known and most successful training schools in Northern California, Grandmaster M. W. Jung and his staff have trained some of the top martial artists in the country. The center specializes in judo, taekwondo, and, especially, hapkido, the noble Korean fighting practice that fuses a variety of skill styles. Beginners and youngsters are welcome. Even if you can barely make a fist, you get to work with Jung and the other top-ranked instructors. Traditional training, including weapon combat and tai chi, emphasizes respect and humility. Still, the grandmaster's got a chokehold on the wisecracks: while he makes the kids work hard, he also makes them laugh.
Haley Kong Scores the Cogressional award
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A Progression
By Aaron Pond
A mere four years ago, I received my First-Dan black belt. A year later, I was promoted to a Second-Dan black belt. And now, three years later, I stand before my progression to a Third-Dan black belt. Ten years ago, I would not have known that I would progress this much; ten years from now, I will know that what I know is hardly progress. But can we know how much we are progressing, or if not, are we progressing at all? Traditionally, one is only considered for promotion to First-Degree black belt after the corresponding amount of years, that is, each degree higher adds a year. The idea is that each degree gets progressively harder so it takes more and more experience to fully grasp. This promotion to a Third-Degree black belt is a reminder to my previous achievements, a bookmark for my current standing, and an opportunity to view my future goals.
To become a First-Dan Black Belt, I went back to the basics. Before the weapons class, for many years, I had trained under Grandmaster Jung in the competition Tae-Kwon-Do class. During all that time, I learned all my basic kicks, punches, and forms. I trained and practiced those moves, and I quote from Grandmaster Jung, until I “was sick of practicing.” So when I received my Cho Dan Bo, I turned towards apathy and complacency. I wanted to learn more “advanced” techniques, so I expressed interest in Master Goldstein’s weapons class. However, in essence, I started all over again with new weapons forms and hand techniques among many other new and exciting moves. I did not realize that what Master Goldstein started teaching me was an expansion of my foundation; even though I was learning different arts, all the different arts are not solitary but connected. Through them, I reached out towards my First-Poom like the formation of a diamond. In the Jo purification form from Aikido, Misogi No Jo, there are four sections: the first is Diamond. It furthered my basis and rigidly added more techniques and forms to my knowledge. Like a diamond, my first black belt was my first encounter with the sharper, technical side of martial arts, crystallizing my former knowledge and making it my new arsenal for the my next goal.
And my next goal was the Second-Dan rank, which Master Goldstein often compares to second section of Misogi No Jo: Willow (named for its flexible yet durable branches). Now that I had an arsenal to work with, I began to shape and stretch it. Not every technique works for every situation therefore you need to be able to use different techniques. One cannot be “married” to a particular move without eventually getting caught or stuck. Therefore one must have the skill and experience to manipulate the raw core of moves. My previous belt focused on the foundation so that when I progress I have material to work with. The ability to manipulate techniques - how to expand a technique to gain distance, how to break structure, how to pin directly after a throw to control the attacker, how to shift from one technique to another – is essential for adaptation. This rank taught me how to bend like the willow and accept challenges, in martial arts or life, and bend so that I do not break.
Now, I’m beginning to understand the reasoning behind the traditions of promotions; in actuality, I certainly did not flow very gracefully into my Third-Degree promotion. The third section in Misogi No Jo is flow, which concentrates on the natural progression of energy, movement, and techniques. The small intricacies of this concept require much more feel than show or tell, more like Eastern rather than Western teaching, and that change challenged my newfound, technical flexibility. For even with the skills that I now grasped, in order to progress my foundation also had to grow; even if I knew what to apply and how to apply it, I began to learn when and where to apply. Master Goldstein calls it learning “to fish” for yourself, to see all the openings and all the possibilities in combat, (with opponents or life). When I began to see these opportunities, they were at first very fleeting and too fast for my mind to grasp, and that initial block frustrated me and put up a second block. A blocked river, by definition, cannot flow. If my mind was blocking me, then the solution did not include my mind, or my excessive thinking. It required feeling. Flow is the natural movement in energy and I had to guide it, not control it, through feeling it and letting it flow effortlessly until the opponent is overcome, I could escape, or simply have control over the situation. So I started to constantly remind myself to “turn off the functioner” and trust in my own body because the only thing blocking me from truly feeling is my own overly analyzed thoughts. Learning the principle of flow, in martial arts, has opened up many more concepts such as the following: to flow from technique to technique without breaking, to remain in constant motion (sometimes very subtly), to absorb and channel force instead of blocking it, and to not break connection with the opponent or opponents and the surroundings. Thus, the Third-Degree has definitely been the biggest challenge for me, as it should be. And I continue, like a river, to progress and to advance my understanding and ability to flow.
Now, four years since I began, I have travelled thus far. And now, four years from today, I might stumble upon another post, driven into the spiral road ahead. The final section of Misogi No Jo is Key, the mastery of power. A diamond can be strong enough to pierce. A willow tree has strength and can absorb and adapt the force around it with flexibility. A flowing river has great strength, agility and flexibility, and can shift with constant grace. Power harnesses flowing chi through many things like emotional feeling, spirals, and relaxation. While I worked towards a Third-Degree black belt, my warrior spirit, and consequently my power, developed immensely through strong intent and feeling, but I found that I was mentally blocked by my fear of over-using power. I felt overwhelmed by my helplessness and lack of control until I began to understand that I had to learn how to release my power before I could understand how to control it. Therefore to master power I must relax and release it and my key can harness it, keep it under control, and give it direction. Yet the direction is not confined to the dojo. Until now, I never understood what I knew until I taught, for knowledge and understanding do not coincide. You know something if you can do it; you understand something if you can teach it. So by beginning to teach I understand understanding, and I hope to continue teaching in the future to progress as a martial artist and coincidentally as a person. However, I may slip backward; I may rush ahead. Now I understand not to stop, but continue down my path: a progressing towards the end.
Luis Perdices Awarded Best Official
August 26th, 2009
At the S. F. Taekwondo Open Championship in St. Mary's College, Moraga, California. Luis Perdices received an award for the Best Official for his dedication, knowledge and hard work.
Left to Right: GM Jung, Luis Perdices, GM B.H.Yu (Tournament Chairman) and GM Jea S. Kim. Congratulation Luis Perdices!
1st Seoul World Taekwondo Leaders Forum 2009
The 1st Seoul World Taekwondo Leaders Forum 2009 was held on September 1-3, 2009 in Seoul, Korea hosted by the Kukkiwon (governing Organization for Taekwondo). It was my great honor to be asked to participate in this International Event. The purpose of the event was to hear from leading Masters from around the World on how to improve Taekwondo for all of its practitioners.
Master Tim Ghormley, Stanford University TKD Program/Director and myself Master M.W.Jung, of the Korean Martial Arts Center in San Francisco attended the event along with a hand full of masters from the United States. There were 195 masters invited from 49 countries that participated. We believed this is the first time in the history of Kukkiwon that this magnitude of Masters were called together to plan for the future of Taekwondo.
The 195 Taekwondo Leaders were shuttled from the Ineon Airport to the Shilla Hotel (five stars), one or the most prestiges hotels in Korea. Where a welcoming party, fine dining and a show were presented., This Taekwondo Forum used all three of the largest Dynasty Rooms for the Forum, Dining and Senior Masters Meeting.
One of the presentations was on the new site of Taekwondo Park being built in Muju, Korea. The groundbreaking day was held on September 5, 2009. And there was discussion that Kukkiwon's future home will be in this new location.
A separate meeting was held for Senior Masters to have an open dialogue with the Kukkiwon officials who listened to our comments in the interest of bettering Taekwondo. A panel of six Masters were selected by Kukkiwon host, Mr. Na, 
International Dept. Section Manager. Among the six chosen were Master M.W.Jung - Korean Martial Arts Center, USA, Master Timothy Ghormley - Stanford University, USA, Master Keith Evans - UK, Master Nigel Hudeson - UK, Master Khalil Jabran, Pakistan, and Master Jafar Zareei - Netherlands. The six panelist served on the 1st and 4th sessions of the forum along with the facilitators.The Forum closed with an awards presentation for the six panel members and care packages for all the world masters from the 49 countries.
Many topics of Taekwondo were shared, but the most impressive status was about 70 million trainees of the 189 membered countries, Taekwondo has Olympic status, 42 countries in the Asian Alliance, 49 countries in the European Alliance, 42 countries in the Pan-American Aliance, 43
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countries in the African alliance and 13 countries in the Oceania Alliance. Taekwondo trainees in Korea amounted to 6.47 million (based on those who acquired belts).
I like to personally give thanks to Chung-won Choue - President of World Taekwondo Federation, Bong-Sup Song - President of Organization Committee, Jae-Oh Yi - Honorary Chairman, In-chon Yu - Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Myung-hwan Yu - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Yoon-Dae Euh - President of the National Taekwondo Professors' Asso ciation and Mr. Na - Section Manager.
– Master M.W.Jung
KMAC-HQ Achievment Awards Ceremony 2008October 25TH, 2008 |
Click here to see more pictures from this event | |
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MVP AWARD - GRANT STEWART
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INSTRUCTOR AWARD - |
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR AWARD -LUIS PERDICES |
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2ND ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR AWARD -MIKE CHUANG |
SENIOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR- DAMON O’DONNELL |
JUNIOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR- ENTA TU |
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KMAC-HQ COACH OF THE YEAR- MASTER DAVID CHOI |
KMAC-HQ NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR - |
COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR- |
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Image coming soon |
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| Master David Mangonon Recipient: 4th Dan, Kukkiwon |
Master Gary Tong, Stonestown Y Instructor Recipient: 4th Dan, WMAU | SBN, Glenn Goffin Emb. Y Instructor Recipeint: 3rd Dan, SinMoo Hapkido |
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| KSN, Jasmine Gong Recipient: 3rd Dan, Kukkiwon |
Maria Wong Recipient: 2nd Dan, Kukkiwon | Damon O'Donnell Recipient: 2nd Dan, SinMoo Hakido |
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| Gloria Lam Recipient: 2nd Dan, SinMoo Hapido |
Jun Du Recipient: 1st Dan, Kukkiwon | Derrick Lee Recipient: Cho Dan, WMAU |
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| Wilson Moy Recipient: Cho Dan, WMAU |
Sherly Moy Recipient: Cho Dan, WMAU | Lina Nguyen Recipient: Cho Dan, WMAU |
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| Paul Nguyen Recipient: Cho Dan, WMAU |
Phil Helmer Recipient: 3rd Dan WMAU 3rd Dan SinMoo Hapkido 1st Dan Kukkiwon | |
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Around the World in 180 days
by Gloria Lam
About 6 months ago, I signed the weapon class at KMAC and opened up a new world. In these 180 days, I’ve been navigating around this “world of weapon”. I got the chance to work with the knife, the don bong, the cane, the sword and even a little bit of Jo. I am like a kid traveling in the big wide world – curious, amazed, lost…
However, beyond the techniques for various weapons, it’s even more important for me to learn about the principles of the art that go with them because they are now part of my value system and incorporated in my daily life, particularly work life.
Working in corporate America, I am often encountered unexpected situation and conflicts, and some of these weapon principles are really helpful for me. For instance,
- Accept the situation
Too often inevitable or undesired situations arise. In class we discuss mentally we need to prepare ourselves to accept and embrace the situation rather than withdraw or being intimidated by it. At work, similar situations happens, so instead of being resentful, I can adopt the same approach and accept the situation as is. It helps me to create a mindset that is free from stress and focus on how to deal with the situation itself.
- Make an entrance
Instead of waiting for the attacker to come in, we should be proactive to the attack, e.g. circular motion defense against #5 knife attack – left hand knife block and right hand chop to the neck before the attacking knife coming downward. This is a very practical approach because being proactive allows us to interrupt the attack and distract the opponent. Likewise at work, I learned that when I am being proactive and make an entrance to an issue that will soon evolve to be a bigger problem; I would have a better chance resolve it efficiently.
- Step off line & Turn the blade away from you
This is the number 1 principle for knife defense, and I believe for defense in general. When there is an attack, the first priority for me is to avoid getting hurt and there is nothing easier than simply stepping off the line and turning the blade away. Nonetheless it’s easier to say than done. Emotion and egos sometimes takes over the rationality of the brain, and place ourselves in a more difficult position to overcome. I have had an incident where a colleague lost her temperament to me during a conversation. If I responded directly to her emotion, we would get into a head to head argument that might lead to further damage to our working relationship. At that point, the principle comes to my mind and I choose to “step off the line and turn the blade away” by being calm and asking to continue the conversation at a later time when my colleague stabilized her emotion. At the end the problem is resolved and none of us get hurt in any way.
In conclusion, it has been a wonderful journey to explore the world of weapons. I am grateful of the opportunity to learn and get to know my classmates, and I hope to continue to apply the principles of the arts to my daily life.
How the Best Become the Worst
by Master Stuart Forrest
Wilson Moy receives the " Most Inspiration Award "
August 20th, 2008 (Black Belt test)
A well deserved candidate for this award.
When I first entered KMAC, I felt like I shouldn’t be here. It was like entering a whole new world. People inside the school was doing techniques I never seen before in my life. It was a new experience that was about to happen. When I found out that my mom was about to sign me up for Tae Kwon do. I tried my best to refuse to go but of course, it didn’t work. When I first started to go to KMAC to train, everyone was so serious so I thought that I could make it more fun by joking around and laughing all the time however, that just made everyone get irritated of me. I was like a virus that couldn’t be removed to certain people but I didn’t notice so I didn’t care. Too tell you the truth, I hated going to KMAC to practice Tae Kwon Do, I thought it was a waste of time but as I slowly ranked up, I soon figured out how people thought about me and how much I was a pain. I also figured out that Tae Kwon Do is not only about kicking or defending yourself, it is also about discipline and be aware of your actions.
Tae Kwon do is a great experience for me because it helped me look at who I was back when I was a white belt and who I am now as a black belt. before, I didn’t know anything about Tae Kwon do but now look at me; I am a junior instructor in training teaching little kids. I went through so many events that happened in other cities, I went to Vegas, San Jose, St. Mary’s, Golden Gate, and Contra Coasta tournaments to volunteer and watch other people on how well they do their forms or how well they spar. Watching other people’s maturity made me become more mature and pay more attention in Tae Kwon do instead of goofing off.
I want to thank all my seniors that taught or tried to teach me at least because without you guys, I would of never been aware of how I acted as a martial artiest. It been a wonderful and unforgettable 2 years.
Now when I enter KMAC, I cant wait to train and help the junior belts just like my seniors helped me. I might still be a little goofy and annoying but I know for a fact that I am not like what I use to be when I was a white belt.
Stanford TKD Camp
In early August of this year, four KMAC students attended the Stanford University International Taekwondo Camp. In what has become the premier taekwondo camp in the U.S., Troy, En-Ta, Mark and Haley spent six intense, activity-packed days working on strength, endurance, flexibility and sparring techniques. The regimen of three daily workouts was punctuated with
team-building games as well as lectures on mental preparation and the college application process.
The camp is run by a very dedicated Master Ghormley, head of the Stanford Taekwondo Program. He was assisted by Coaches Kent Kitagawa, Sterling Sakai, Ed Miranda, Linda Buell, Ernest Kuo and Vincent Lo. Master Ghormley strives to provide the best training environment for the campers, so in addition to himself and Mr. "K", the guest coach this year was Master Ha who is from Taiwan University and is also coach to the highly-ranked Taiwan National Womens team. Master Ha brought with him phenomenal knowledge and experience along with three members of the Taiwan National Mens team. Under his tutelage, the athletes worked on new techniques and skills that hopefully will prove to be effective in future tournaments.
All campers were separated by age and each group was led by a team leader. This year's entourage of junior staff consisted of a talent-studded cast of national champions: Markie Keelan, James Howe, Thomas Lee, Jesika Torres and Maia
Eubanks. All are current National Team members and have won numerous international titles. They brought with them invaluable experience, insight and perspective.
Each and every KMAC Kid who attended the camp raved about their team leaders, the coaches, the curriculum and the friendships. When asked if they would like to attend the camp again next year, the replies were a resounding and unanimous.
Click here to read a thank you letter to KMAC from Mark Formalejo Jr.
KMAC-San Ramon, receives award for participation at
the Golden Gate Open TKD Championships
February 9th, 2008
New Black Belt Promotions
July 28th, 2007
5th Dan
Sonny Ryan Jung
4th Dan
Michael Mar
Thomas Mar
Cody Aquirre
David Mangonon
David Choi
2nd Dan
Melvin Jenssen
1st Dan
Maria Wong
click here to read Maria's essay
Cho Dan Bo
Ed Liskey
click here to read Ed's essay
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