competition

[HapkidoScott]

if someone were taking say HapKiDo and TKD (perhaps me!) and wanted to find a way to be competitive (without legal recourse) can we compete in tournaments or are all tournaments done by particular style? just askin, thanks.

[Coges]

You can certainly compete in tournaments. Which tournaments is up to the organisers and what rules they operate under. Tournaments like all styles you will be able to compete in but you must operate under their rules. I am sure their are many TKD tournaments you can enter but you will not be able to use any HKD locks within.

[Alexander]

You're best bet if you want to use the two is to enter a mixed martial arts tournament. That way you can put what you know from both sides into good use.

[Ikken Hisatsu]

they have hapkido competitions dont they? which aloow striking? mma wouldnt be a good bet really, not if you want to win anyway.

[Thomas]

they have hapkido competitions dont they? which aloow striking? mma wouldnt be a good bet really, not if you want to win anyway.(bold face added- Thomas)

Why is that?

Surely you aren't doing a little bashing of Hapkido... I don't seem to remember ever hearing that you did Hapkido (or MMA competitions either).

As for competition, there is the WHA competitions (see this review: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12631&highlight=grappling+hapkido+dvd+rules)
The rules shake out to being quite similar to MMA... with striking and grappling.

[Doublejab]

There aren't many Hapkido competitions because most of the techniques aren't suitable. EG Wrist locks, strikes to knees. elbows and throats etc.

Even in an MMA competition most of these would still be against the rules. In any case, do (lots) of grappling to compliment your striking before you even think of going in for an MMA match!

As far as I know the moves that Hapkido has that could be used in competition make up TKD.

[Ikken Hisatsu]

(bold face added- Thomas)

Why is that?

Surely you aren't doing a little bashing of Hapkido... I don't seem to remember ever hearing that you did Hapkido (or MMA competitions either).

As for competition, there is the WHA competitions (see this review: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12631&highlight=grappling+hapkido+dvd+rules)
The rules shake out to being quite similar to MMA... with striking and grappling.

you know what I mean. if you want to compete in an mma event, generally you take up mma. its like me competing in a tkd event with muay thai training., i wouldnt be able to use half the things ive learnt, whereas the other guy would have spent all his time focusing on the things he CAN do.

[Thomas]

you know what I mean. if you want to compete in an mma event, generally you take up mma. its like me competing in a tkd event with muay thai training., i wouldnt be able to use half the things ive learnt, whereas the other guy would have spent all his time focusing on the things he CAN do.

Oh, I see... that makes it a bit more clear. I am sorry for thinking you may be bashing Hapkido. You never can be too careful with some of the people who come through here.

[Alexander]

they have hapkido competitions dont they? which aloow striking? mma wouldnt be a good bet really, not if you want to win anyway.
Yep. I agree with you. But I was actually a bit unclear. I mean't that since there are very few HKD competitions (for the reasons Snoop mentioned), MMA would be the most easily accessible arena to apply HKD techniques in. A few of the guys in my HKD class do MMA as well.

[HapkidoScott]

thanks for all the feedback. how do you look into mma competition? i mean where do you start as far as seeing at what level someone would begin competing. how have your friends faired Alexander?

Thomas, I like your responses and would appreciate your feedback. what advice would you give me if i were one of your students and i told you that i love hapkido but i also want to compete (eventually) in full contact fighting. i just don't want to come across to my instructors like i don't appreciate all that they give to me.

[Thomas]

Thomas, I like your responses and would appreciate your feedback. what advice would you give me if i were one of your students and i told you that i love hapkido but i also want to compete (eventually) in full contact fighting. i just don't want to come across to my instructors like i don't appreciate all that they give to me.
Not many Hapkido schools get into competition aside from the one I referred to earlier. Open Hapkido sparring like in that DVD (a good investment) or in some schools (we do) can be done in a format very similar to MMA rules. It all depends on where you go to classes though.

A good Hapkido school can give you good all-around skills in all of the ranges, but again, as other posters mentioned, preparing for a specific sport will require specific training for that art.

My honest advice:
1. Stay with the Hapkido. The foundation is good and all of the skills and philosophies are easily transferred throughout your exposure to various arts. Later in life, after your competition period is over, Hapkido can provide a lifelong learning system.

and

2. Find a good submission fighting and/or MMA school and sign up for classes. By training here you can get used to the rules and strategies that you will need in competition and get to work with people who will be similar to your opponents. Also, through the school, you should be able to get more information about local turnaments and such.

I would talk to the Hapkido instructor and explain what you are looking for and your goals. A good instructor will try to help you reach your goals and hopefully be able to recommend people in your area to help you.

[Hapkidoin P]

Since we're on the subject...

Hey Thomas,did you get a chance to look at the rules for competetion from Hanminjok?

If so,what did you think?

[Alexander]

...how have your friends faired Alexander?
So far I know that one (but not quite sure which one) competed in a University tournament within the MMA club here. I think he lost his fight to another guy (a boxer/Wing Chun Kung Fu guy I think). But my Uni's MMA club isn't that serious as a whole about competing. I know there are several guys at the top who compete regularly in MMA competitions but most people go purely to work on another area that complements their style. I went to one session and thats where I saw a few of the HKD guys but I've never actually disscussed it with them after that one time.

[Thomas]

Since we're on the subject...

Hey Thomas,did you get a chance to look at the rules for competetion from Hanminjok?

If so,what did you think?
I haven't seen nor heard of them... do you have a link? Thanks!

[Hapkidoin P]

No Thomas,I sure don't...sorry. :o

I received a couple of copies from some Hanminjok Masters in Ohio. I am sure you could get some copies from the Hanminjok office. :confused: