Hapkido

Hapkido (합기도) emerged in Korea in the 1940s and 1950s around Choi Yong-sool, who taught joint-lock and throwing techniques related to Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu. Students added Korean kicking and striking, producing a hybrid art that covers all ranges. The name shares its characters with aikido, but the two arts developed separately and feel very different.

Character

• Joint locks: Wrist, elbow and shoulder locks applied from grabs and strikes.
• Throws and takedowns: Often flowing out of a lock.
• Kicks and strikes: Including low, spinning and jumping kicks.
• Weapons: Cane, short stick, belt and rope in many schools.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants a broad self-defence toolkit rather than a single specialisation. Hapkido is less standardised than taekwondo, so schools vary a lot – visit before you commit. A dobok and a mouthguard are enough to start.