Korean martial art 'hapkido' takes baby steps in India
New Delhi: As a martial art, it is not as well-known as its more famous counterparts like kung fu, karate and judo, yet the Korean hapkido is slowly but surely catching on in India -- with the fifth edition of a national-level championship having concluded last week.
And the man working to popularise this sport in India -- considered the birthplace of martial arts -- is Hapkido Association of India founder Tarsem Sharma.
The self-defence technique, which originated in Korea after World War II, was initially taught by Choi Yong-Sool, and is believed to have evolved from a Japanese martial art called daito-ryu jujutsu.
The art, which employs joint locks, grappling, and throwing techniques, was later combined with various kicking, striking and ground-fighting skills employed in judo.
Sharma, an expert in taekwondo -- another Korean martial art -- was introduced to hapkido when he came in contact with its world federation chief, Grand Master Bermas Kim of South Korea, and Asian federation president Mohammed Raza of Iran on the internet.
The duo invited him to the Asian Championships held in 2013 where Sharma became intrigued with the sport. On his return to India, Sharma roped in several taekwondo practitioners to set up a national body for hapkido.
"I represented India as a team leader at the Asian Hapkido Games in Iran in 2013. The idea of bringing this art to our country came from there.
"I was in talks with Korean Master Kim and Iranian Mohammed Raza about hapkido through the Internet, but after going to Iran I got to know the sport better. It has techniques related to acupressure and physiotherapy which made me take more interest in it," Sharma told IANS.
The sport has slowly achieved a level of recognition. "We have got an appreciation certificate from IOA (Indian Olympic Association) and are also in talks with the School Games Federation of India to include the discipline," Sharma informed.
Master Rajesh Prasad, chief instructor of the Jharkhand State Hapkido Association, feels that the sport is as modern as the latest mobile phones being launched in the country.
"I have been associated with the sport for the last five years. I give hapkido training in Jharkhand, where people are quite crazy about it. A lot of boxing, taekwondo and judo practitioners are veering towards this sport because it is new in India. It is a modern sport, much like the new mobiles being launched in the market.
Elaborating on the benefits of hapkido, Prasad said it can be used by women to defend themselves and should be included as a part of the curriculum in every school.
"I have been into different martial arts since my childhood. My experience says that if women are trained in hapkido, they can easily defend themselves because it requires minimal strength. In fact, it is the strength of the opponent that we turn around," Prasad explained.
"If people were aware about this sport, they would have implemented it for girls in every school, because keeping cameras everywhere to protect them is not possible," Prasad said.
Noting that most forms of martial arts had originated in this country, Prasad said that Indians need to reclaim their rich heritage in the genre.
"Most forms of martial arts were born in India. Kalaripayattu (the martial art form of Kerala) is the oldest such. From here it went to China as Shaolin and today our country is behind others (in the discipline)," Prasad rued.
"We are having to learn from other countries to develop this sport in our own country," he added.
Talking about the future of hapkido in India, Prasad said politicians should stay away from it.
"If politics stays away from hapkido, then in the world of martial arts in the country, it will become the most revolutionary discipline," Prasad concluded.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
