 | ||||||
Grand Master Smith started his training 33 years ago ( 1978) in Cha Yon Ryu in Houston, Texas with Grandmaster Kim Soo. Moving to Illinois in 1984 GM Smith changed styles to Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Han Cha Kyo, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do under Gen Choi Hong Hi. GM Han founded the Universal Tae Kwon Do Federation. GM Han passed away in 1996, but his high ranking students continue to operate the UTF. While studying Tae Kwon Do Master Smith started his training in Kenpo and Hapkido. Master Smith studied Kyuki-Do and Hapkido with Grandmaster Ok Hyung Kim, 9th Dan founder of the American Kyukido Federation and Grand Master Greg Whipple.
Grand Master Smith competed in numerous local, state tournaments while living and training in Illinois.
Master Smith has trained with some top martial artist over the years. Having trained in Villari's Kempo with Master Hugh McLaughlin, Hapkido with Master Greg Whipple and Ok Hyung Kim, Tae Kwon Do with Grandmaster Ki Hong Kim, 8th Dan, Grandmaster Andrew Davies, 9th Dan, Grandmaster Brent Fuller, 8th Dan Tae Kwon do and 9th Dan founder of the Taeken-Jisu system, Grandmaster Thomas Perry, 8th Dan, Grandmaster William Valdes, 8th Dan and Arnis Instructor, Grm Whipple Hapkido and Grm Duk Gun Kwon, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido.
Master Smith is the founder of the United Martial Arts Society founded in 1999 with the sole purpose of forming a non-political organization for all stylists. The UMAS is now in five states and Canada. Master Smith has promoted numerous "Masters" since 2004 (see the UMAS Dan Registry) within in the UMAS with numerous black belt certifications in various arts.
Master Smith founded the Ko Shin Mu Sool Hapkido system. The first Hapkido organization Master Smith founded was the Universal Hapkido Federation in 2001 however when the official Kwan was changed to Ko Shin Mu Sool the organization changed it's name in 2004 to Universal Ko Shin Mu Sool Hapkido. Ko Shin Mu Sool Hapkido is recognized by the Jae Mu Kwan Hapkido Assoc., and the World Il Do Kwan Federation. Ko Shin Mu Sool is not a new martial art or a new form of Hapkido. It is based on new theories and approaches to teaching and learning Hapkido. Ko Shin Kwan translates to “School of the Open Mind" meaning we acknowledge the traditions handed down by the founders, but we believe things have to change to adapt to modern times. Grandmaster Smith is also the founder of the AijitsuDo Martial Art that has been developed with the sole purpose of pure self defense based system. As an eclectic martial art of Kenpo, JuJutsu, Chin Na, Kung Fu and Stick Fighting.
Master Smith continues to teach classes and seminars while keeping up with the growth of the United Martial Arts Society and the Ko Shin Mu SoolHapkido Federation. Master Smith continues to train in Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo and Hapkido.
Appointments and Awards:
2002 Master of the Year, World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Texas State Director – Jae Mu Kwan Hapkido Association – 2005 to current
Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido recognized by Jae Mu Kwan Hapkido Assoc., 2005
Ko Shin Kwan recognized by World Martial Arts Union, 2005
Ko Shin Kwan recognized by Worlld Jug Tai Association, 2007
Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido recognized by United Sokeship Alliance International, 2011
Recognized as "Dojunim" Founder of Ko Shin Mu Sool Hapkido, 2011
Seminars attended:
Grandmaster Remy Presas – Modern Arnis 1990 -1992 in Illinois
Grandmaster Geroge Dillman, Ryukyu Kenpo, Pressure Points 1990-1992
Grandmaster Wally Jay, Small Circle JuJitsu, 1990-1992
Grandmaster J.R. West, Hapkido, 2003, 2004
Grandmaster George Petrotta, ISA Hapkido, 2006
Chief Master Marlin Sims, Kuk Sool, 2006
Hosted Master Mike D'Aloia of the Jung Ki Kwan, 2011
Master Smith is a member of the following organizations:
World Tae Kwon Do Federation ( WTF)
United States National Tae Kwon Do Federation (USNTF)
World Il Do Kwan Federation (WIF)
American Kenpo World Association (AKWA)
International Assembly of Sokeships, Founders and Headmasters (IASFH)
World Martial Arts Union ( WMAU) Technical Director
Jae Mu Kwan Hapkido Association
World Jug Tai Association
World Traditional Hapkido Alliance
United Sokeship Alliance International
Master Smith's Black Belt ranks and certifications:
8th Dan Tae Kwon Do
8th Dan Ko Shin Mu Sool Hapkido
7th Dan WTHA Hapkido
6th Degree Kenpo Karate
4th Dan Kukkiwon
2nd Dan Kyukido
