Musul Ki Kwan Hapkido

Hapkido is one of the great programs offered at Top Fight Academy. Sabumnim Charles Sullivan has 30+ years of martial arts training, specifically in the Korean arts of traditional Hapkido and modern Hapkido. Mr. Sullivan was raised up in the Chicago martial arts scene which is storied to say the least.

Mr. Sullivan's resume is very impressive:
He began in the Green Dragon Gung Fu academy and trained for several years before joining the United States Marine Corps. After his honorable discharge he resumed his training earning the instructor sash.
-1975 Began training Moo Sool Won under the legendary K.S. Hyun, earning his black belt in modern Hapkido. He was with Master Hyun for 7 years.
-In 1983 Mr. Sullivan began training in Kuk Sool Won under Master Byung S. Ma, earning his 1st degree black belt.
-Master Ma shut down, and Mr. Sullivan put in time with Master Yu and obtained his 2nd Degree in Moo Sool Won (Modern Hapkido).
-He later trained under the Jung Do and the Kuk Sul association under Choon S. Yang.
-Master Ma opened back up in 1994 where Mr. Sullivan picked back up earning his 3rd degree and his instructor certification.
He stayed with Master Ma until 2003, then moved to Hazard opening up Sullivan's Hapkido Academy.
-Mr. Sullivan and Chief Instructor Jon Helton formed Hazard Martial Arts Club in 2007, and since that time have been operating together.
-In 2014, the name of academy was changed to Top Fight Academy to represent the variety of martial art disciplines that are now offered.
-Mr. Sullivan is still active in all classes, and still goes by the same time honored traditions of courtesy, respect, and integrity as the academy's core virtues.


Hapkido consists of :
Form training
Joint locking/breaking techniques
Powerful striking and kicking techniques
Soo Ki (Hand Striking): Palm, fist, wrist, finger, closed hand, open hand, arm, shoulder and pressure-point striking techniques.
Ki training-Internal strength forged through various breathing exercises
Rigorous physical exercise training
Weapons training

Specifically, the Korean translation for some of these techniques are listed below:

* Johk Sool (Kicking Techniques): Spinning, jumping, combination, double-leg, and pressure-point kicks.

* Throwing and Grappling (Tu Ki & Jap Ki): Body throws, projection throws, leg throws, pressure-point grappling, grappling defense, wrestling, and ground-fighting techniques.

* Nak Bup (Falling Principles): Falling techniques are taught in Hapkido. These techniques allow a practitioner to fall into a variety of positions while minimizing injury. This is typically accomplished through maximizing the surface area on impact to prevent damaging force on an isolated area of the body.

* Animal-Style Techniques unique to World Jungtong Moo Sul Hapkido Associatio: Tiger, Mantis, Crane, Dragon, Snake, Bear, Eagle etc.

* Traditional Korean Weapons: Sword (short, long, single and double, straight and inverted), staff (short, middle and long, single and double), jeol bong (double and triple sectioned; also known as nunchucks and sansetsukon), knife, spear, wol do (Moon knife - a Korean halberd), sam-ji chang (triple tipped spear, trident, or dangpa), cane, rope, and fan.

* Meditation and Breathing Techniques: Meditation and breathing postures and concentration techniques.