Q.: I would like to ask you about Effective Hapkido, how it came up and how did you take this decision, I mean to create a new style of Hapkido?

A.: As you probably know I have done many Hapkido styles and I was member of several Federations that I learnt their instructional material. After that I started to record, create and classify many techniques and as a result it born a new Hapkido style, which is customized to today needs and it maintenances the traditional Hapkido legacy/way. I tried to avoid repetitions about techniques and as a result I chose 100 basic techniques up to black belt level (I do not count their variations and self defence techniques). People that came to my seminars they could understand what I mean.

Q.: Is it true that Effective Hapkido (additionally) focus on wrestling techniques and self defence techniques against grabbing?

A.: Yes, it is true, it really has excellent techniques of that kind.

Q.: When was the official presentation of Effective Hapkido?

A.: In 2004.

Q.: Is Effective Hapkido a new Hapkido or Martial Art?

A.: No, Effective Hapkido is my personal way of teaching, training, focusing on that points that concerned (in my opinion) as important.

Q.: We have heard that you do wrestling, too, is it true?

A.: Yes, it is not good as Founder and President of an Organization to stay all day at my office or to promote only my titles (of course if age and health condition are suitable for activation). I must be active and to experiment every day. I always believe that wrestling is one of the best sports and wrestlers are (maybe) the most powerful athletes. Moreover, accordingly my origin I did not have different choice. I think that wrestling has many things to give me every day, you understand what I mean!

Q.: Did you do any other martial arts?

A.: Yes, Taekwondo (that I hold 4th Dan degree), Aikido etc.

Q.: Could you tell us some things about the World Traditional Hapkido Organization?

A.: The W.T.H.O. is the international umbrella for Effective Hapkido but not only this, it is a Democratic Organization opened to all Hapkido Styles and Martial Arts, in general. In my opinion every Martial Art or Master is very important. Of course we have some standards for our members, this means that we do not interest in quantity but only for quality. If someone wants to be a member of our Organization he/she must really loves what he/she does and it seems easily.

Q.: What about your future plans?

A.: As personality I do not talk too much but I like to do things. We do many activations that we do not publish for several reasons. We like competition and we conceder it as essential. We believe that we must try very hand every day, in cooperation with excellent and nice people. For example, I could tell you many things about my future plans but it is not worth if I do not sweat every day at my school.

Q.: Is it true that you will go to Korea?

A.: Yes, we organize some conducts, training and we will take a part to some activities in Korea but I do not want to publish more evidence for now. We will publish more information in the future, the right time.

Q.: Could you tell us some words about the Martial Arts School of Peace, which considered as very traditional school?

A.: M.A.S.P. is a traditional martial arts school with discipline rules but we respect very much students' personality and everyone that comes (and he/she wants) he/she will learn the art. There is a strong relationship among members and everyone is available to help the other, if it is necessary. For, approximately, 10 years of its operation it has given many things (accordingly its mission) and I see every day that my dreams and goals come true. If you want to achieve something you must try very hard for it and as a result training at M.A.S.P. is not easy but there is not exhaustion because students adapt their condition step by step. Furthermore, I training every day, no seldom seven days per week, non stop. I am interested for two things (and I want to close this conversation with it):
1) To try (from my position) to create good and altruism personalities.
2) To have students that they have not egoistic attitude.

Well that is the basis of M.A.S.P.

Thank you very much for your time

Thank you for the opportunity to tell my opinion for some things and I hope this interview to become a historical consignment for the Instructors and Students of Effective Hapkido.

Copyright, M.A.S.P., 2006

Interview was recorded (sound) in Greek language, on 25.05.2006. It was given to radio producer Mr. Milan Tzourtzevits and keeping from M.A.S.P.