Grandmaster Kirk Irving Koskella holds 8th Degree Black Belt certification in Taekwondo, Hapkido and Ki Bon Moo Gi – Yu Shin Gum Do (BEOP), from both Korea and the United States.
Master K established the American Song Moo Kwan Association (ASMKA), and its National Training Center (NTC), in honor of Supreme Grand Master Byung Jick Ro, providing support and advice to World Song Moo Kwan Association (WSMKA) under Grand Master Ro, Hee Sang.
Master Koskella earned eight gold medals in international competition, in addition to the Kukkiwon Medal. Multiple commendations and awards followed due to Master K’s instruction of law enforcement, military, and Olympic Gold and Silver medallists.
Master K was tasked by American Taekwondo Association (ATA) founder Hyung Un Lee and International Hapkido Federation (BSH-IHF) Grand Master Bong Soo Han to review Korean National Museum historical documents on the founding of Korea’s martial heritage. Master K obtained a complete copy of the 1795 Lee Dok Mu manuscript “Mu Ye Do Tongji” believed to be the first fully illustrated comprehensive martial ordered by King Jeong-jo.
This writing, established training at the onset of Korea’s founding kingdoms, and became the basis for a much stronger attention to 24 separate and distinct weapons executing from horseback and on foot. Cross-training techniques and philosophies of Taekwondo and Hapkido are incorporated into a formerly lost third dimension of training.
The new NTC employs an advanced Korean cultural immersion training program available to Black Belts ONLY as of May 2013. Enrolment is limited to 70 candidates who will be trained and housed at the facility for the term of one year. Formal instruction will be by Korean and American Grand Masters. Distinguished graduates will receive employment contracts in the fields of motion picture and television stunt coordination, special security services and law enforcement and/or professional martial arts instruction.
Grand Master Koskella wrote the credo called; “Power Without Force.” Any who seek this training must abide these principles.
Master Koskella executing the Flying Roundhouse Kick and the Double Split-Kick.
