This weekend, Saturday, June 19th, 2021, marked the first in-person World Moo Duk Kwan Heritage Program event for 2021. More than 150 Soo Bahk Do and Tang Soo Do practitioners attended, including some of the most senior members of our Moo Duk Kwan lineage.
The event took place in Hudson Valley, Sportsdome, Milton,NY and was sponsored by the International Tang Soo Do Practitioners Association, the World Moo Duk Kwan, and hosted by the Leclerc Martial Arts Schools. Featured Instructor, Kwan Jang Nim, Hyul Chul Hwang, Dan Bon 509, President, WMDK.


This event marked a moment in the historical timeline of Moo Duk Kwan and another step in the direction towards focusing on the Founder's vision of unifying and developing human relations between all Moo Duk Kwan practitioners - past, present and future. One of the highlights of this day, was seeing again, fellow Ko Dan Ja, including Senior KDJ of the Moo Duk Kwan, and reuniting old friends and new friends, who have roots in the Moo Duk Kwan. It was very memorable for so many. Many starting conversations, that were started years ago, and making it feel like they picked up the conversations, right where they left off.
A wonderful portrait painting of our Founder, the Late Great Grandmaster Hwang Kee, on display during the seminar and presentation.
Below is the embedded link to the WMDK Facebook site with more photos from the seminar. Special thanks to the ITSD photographers who provided this wonderful images of the event. If you have Facebook, click on the Facebook logo to see the picture on Facebook.
This gallery of photos captures the partnership, brother and sisterhood, Moo Do Spirit of our Moo Duk Kwan Heritage, enjoy. While I only know a few of the participants, if you want to tag them, you can do so on Facebook and I will add their names to their photos. Kamsamhamnida.
- Some of the attending children red belts were just amazing, showing good discipline and focus.
- A red belt getting the best on a Cho Dan? Tang Soo!
- Kwan Jang Nim H.C. Hwang during his teaching.
- On the left, Senior KDJ in the WMDK, James Donnelly Sa Bom Nim, 8th Dan, Owner/Head Instructor, Hampton Roads Karate, VA., and my former instructor. .
- A satisfied look for the attendees.
- Myself and Mr Jason Burger during a brief presentation.
- KDJ in the WMDK Roberto Bonefont, Sr.
- Happy participants from several different schools.
- WMDK Senior KDJ Lisa Kozak, Sa Bom Nim, USA TAC
- Learning Moo Do sparring.
- MDK Coin presentation to KDJ Laura Leclerc, Sa bom nim.
- WMDK Senior KDJ Benjamin Cortese 8th Dan
- Over 150 attendees.
- Ending a day of learning.
- reunion of brothers and sisters.
- demo on Moo Do Sparring
- “use the huri”
- WMDK KDJ Frank Tsai, Sa Bom Nim, Heritage Program Advisor
- One of the highlights for me was presenting a silver MDK pin, to Mr. Jason Burger, Cho Dan, a former high school student of mine. Achieving his Cho Dan again, after being absent from the art for 26 years. Very proud of this practitioner.
- Women in the Moo Duk Kwan
- Awesome photo.
- Seon Sok Mi…
- Dominick Giacobbe, Grand Master Instructor at Tang Soo Karate Academy NJ
- WMDK KDJ Lydia Chu, Sa bom Nim, Academy of Martial Arts of Gillette, NJ
- Senior WMDK KDJ, Frank Bonsignore, Sa Bom Nim, 9th Dan.
- WMDK Senior KDJ Joey Poppo, Sa Bom Nim
- Initial introductions between members
- A brief presentation
- Yong gi!
- Ms. Jenn M Riegler, Sam Dan, WMDK, Liberty, NY
- WMDK KDJ Elaine Reidman Phillips, Sa Bom Nim, LI, NY
- warming up.
- WMDK KDJ Chu Sa bom nim stretching her kick!
- WMDK KDJ Cort Stinehour, USA TAC, Heritage Program Advisor
- Heritage Advisors, who made this possible.
- Know your basics.
- Twisting the huri.
- WMDK KDJ Erik Orella, Sa bom Nim, MDK HQ, NJ
- Seon Sok Mi…
- The Late Great Grandmaster and Founder of the Moo Duk Kwan, Hwang Kee
- WMDK KDJ Denise Mullin Menendez , Sa Bom Nim, 7th Dan, Hwang Karate, Harrison, NJ
- Laura Leclerc, Sa bom Nim, Kwan Jang Nim, Lisa Kozak, Sa Bom nim (Women in the WMDK)
- One Moo Duk Kwan
Enjoying dinner with the Masters, after the World Moo Duk Kwan Heritage seminar taught by Grand Master Hyun Chul Hwang and hosted by Master Robert Pat Leclerc Sr., in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Respectfully Submitted,
Roberto Bonefont, Sr., Dan Bon 13927
Webmaster Assistant, WMDK
also on Facebook WMDK
Learn more about the Art of Soo Bahk Do, The Soo Bahk Do Institute