SulKiDo - A Korean Martial art related to HapKiDo, KukSoolWon and TaeKwonDo
SulKiDo - FAQ - Syllabus - Technique - History - Contact
---
[Previous] [Next]

How effective is it for self-defence ?

Like most martial arts, we can trace our roots back many centuries, however the current syllabus was codified by Grandmaster M.Y. Kim (8th Dan) during the 1960s and 70s. Both grandmaster Kim and the current head of SulKiDo in the U.K. served in the Korean Armed Forces and SulKiDo contains a wide variety of effective techniques covering the whole spectrum from restraint holds to lethal strikes. In ``The Official Self Defence Handbook'', (Pelham, 1985) MADEC describes SulKiDo thus:

``SulKiDo is mainly concerned with practical self-defence. It is possible to achieve both an early benefit through practise of striking techniques and a long-term benefit through knowledge of the locks, holds and throws.''

Different people find various techniques more appropriate to their own use, either because of mental attitude or inherent physical constraints, (many martial arts claim that strength and size are irrelevant and that one sort of training suits everyone - so why are all tournaments divided into sex and weight categories ?) and only by exploring a wide variety of options is it possible to decide what suits you best as an individual (we also think our large repertoire is one of the main factors making SulKiDo enjoyable to learn). We don't do full-contact (ie. knockout) sparring, but plenty of time is spent on bagwork and partner practise.

Our local instructors have taught self-defence seminars for colleges, womens' groups and departments (assisted by other club members). They have been resident in Oxford for over 20 years, and are both familiar and experienced with the concerns and requirements of students and residents in Oxford.

---