Jason Ibbotson History

Jason Ibbotson

4th Dan Instructor

Contact: 0414 618 757 

School: Ballarat Hapkido Centre

 

History

 

I began Hapkido in September 1980, in International Hapkido Federation.  I trained under Kimm Yong Sup, a student of Myong Jae Nam.  Training was very traditional Kuk Sool Hapkido until the late eighties, and then the main influence was Hankido.  I graded to 1st Dan in June 1996 Hapkido/Hankido.  I began training with the Australian Hapkido Association 1997.  I trained under Master Kevin Brown, a student of Kimm Sung su, Master Brown in my opinion is one of the finest martial artists I have met.  Through the AHA in 1998 I met Master Lee Jeong Seo of the International Hapkido Federation for the first time.  I received my 2nd Dan Hapkido in 1999.  In 2000 Master Lee Jae Bum, a friend and student of Lee Jeong Seo, stayed at my home and taught at my school.  In 2001 I went to Korea for the first time.  Lee Jeong Seo was our main source of training in Korea.  We trained mainly with him, his close friends (all Hapkido Masters) and his Masters.  Notably Grandmaster Chang Young Sil (International Hapkido Federation) this was a main turning point in my Hapkido career, meeting him and training at his downtown dojo.  Also training with Master Lee’s sword master Joung Bok Su undoubtedly the finest swordsman in Korea (also a Hapkido Master).  Master Lee Jeong Seo’s training at this time was extreme.  I could not get enough….

 

In 2002 Lee Jeong Seo came to Australia again holding several seminars also staying in my home and teaching at my school.  This was a very special time with several key technical applications and live blade training and test cutting.

 

In 2003 I received 3rd dan.  Over the next few years was the time in which my Hapkido and focus on Master Lee’s teachings were to become strong and noticeably different from those around me.

 

For a few years from 2003 onwards I had the pleasure of training with Dojanim Kim Yun San of Dae Dong Ryu Hapkiyusal, Yong Sul Choi’s designated successor.  I trained with him in 2003 and 2005 and also with his senior students in between.  I liked him very much and he has much to offer.

 

In 2006 Master Lee moved to Germany to live and teach.  I then strengthened my relationship with Master Nigel May, and his Master Julian Lim of Sung Moo Kwan Hapkido.  I met Nigel May training with Kim Yun San in 2003.  This alliance was very important in an attempt to help Hapkido in central Victoria grow.  Now only two hours away we have another  Hapkido school in which we can exchange knowledge and discuss the various concerns in running Hapkido schools. In 2008 with Master Julian Lim, I received my 4th Dan and International instructor Certification.

 

In 2009 I went back to Korea training again with Grandmaster Chang Young Sil.  This was an extremely extensive training period.  It defined my training and teaching methods as they are today and answered all the questions I had built up over the years.  It helped build my relationship with Grandmaster Chang and meet and train with his students.  Also having the opportunity to train in Grandmaster Chang’s downtown dojo again was incredible, as well as train on the Osan air base.

 

Grandmaster Chang’s teachings strengthened everything Master Lee had taught but explained everything in so much more depth.  My students loved this method and structure and we have not looked back since.  Now one of my students Enzo Saccotelli has open up a school in Melbourne, further strengthening Hapkido in Victoria.

 

In 2013 I returned to Korea again.  This time taking my two senior student’s Enzo Saccotelli and Shaun Symons. Together we embarked on another instalment of Grandmaster Chang’s teachings. This trip was by far the most important, adding more application techniques to our curriculum.  It also gave my two students the opportunity to gain international recognition by meeting and training with Grandmaster Chang.  The source of our Hapkido way. Together with Grandmaster Chang’s blessing we have returned to Australia to pass on what we have been taught, without changing anything, keeping it pure, and the true way as we were taught.

 

 

Our schools in Australia are steadily growing as is our knowledge and strength in our Hapkido. We are steadily saving and planning our next opportunity to train with Grandmaster Chang.

 

 

Walking the path that Grandmaster Chang has laid out for me is extraordinary. My entire focus is to follow the pure teachings from my master, pass this onto my student’s and help his

True Hapkido way thrive. But most of all to honour my master………..