About the AKF
The American Kyuki-Do Federation is the governing body that oversees, assists and validates all licensed academies that teach the Kyuki-Do® martial arts. The AKF provides rank sanctioning, school oversight, and training for instructors and members in martial arts, personal development and leadership. All licensed affiliates of the AKF are independently owned and operated.
AKF Leadership Team
The AKF has developed a world class team of martial artists dedicated to the ideals of Kyuki-Do. Our Leadership Team includes:
- Grandmaster Ken Ok Hyung Kim: 10th Dan, Founder of Kyuki-Do
- Grandmaster Lloyd Holden: 8th Dan, Promotional Chairman, Member of the Board of Directors, Member of the Advisory Council
- Head Master Jeff Kim: 7th Dan, President of the AKF
- Master Rick Bjorkquist, 6th Dan, Logistics Coordinator, Member of the Board of Directors, AKF Technical Development Team
- Master Rick Steinmaier, 6th Dan, Events Coordinator, Member of the Board of Directors, Member of the Advisory Council
- Master Ken Blumreich, 6th Dan, Member of the Board of Directors, Member of the Events Committee, Member of the Advisory Council, AKF Technical Development Team
- Master Nicole Holden-Arendt, 6th Dan, Member of the Events Committee
- Master Chris Koffenberger, 5th Dan, Member of the Events Committee
- Master Katie Norris, 5th Dan, Member of the AKF Technical Development Team
- Master Scot Norris, 5th Dan, Member of the Events Committee
- Master Josh Poland, 5th Dan, Member of the Events Committee
- Mr. Jon Gibson, 4th Dan, Member of the Events Committee
- Mr. Dan DeRubeis, Kali Instructor, Member of the AKF Technical Development Team
Business Opportunities
The AKF is a fast-growing organization that is always in need of new academy owners. If you are a positive, motivated entrepreneur with an interest in martial arts as a career, please write to us at customerservice@kyuki-do.com. Become a school owner today! AKF Licensing offers you the following benefits:
- Complete Kyuki-Do® Martial Arts Training Curriculum
- Assistance in site selection
- Online Instructor Training Certification (KIT)
- Events such as tournament, camps,clinics, and seminars
- Access to Preferred Vendors
- Member Portal to track your members’ testing, event attendance, online training curriculum
- And more!
The Art
“Kyuk” means strike. “Ki” is energy. “Do” means art, path, way or method. “Kyuki-Do” then translates as “The way or the art of striking with energy.”
In Korean, “Kyuki-Do” literally means “spark or explosion.” The word signifies the sudden release or burst of energy that accompanies the successful execution of any fighting technique; it is a method of properly applying energy in order to strike an opponent or target with maximum force.
History of Kyuki-Do
Kyuki-Do is a Korean martial art that primarily incorporates elements of Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido and Judo. Kyuki-Do was introduced to the United States in 1967 by Grand Master Ok Hyung Kim, the founder of the art. Grand Master Kim went on to found the American Kyuki-Do Federation (Kyuki-Do’s sanctioning body) in 1979.
Kyuki-Do is designed to be practical, versatile and effective at a variety of different ranges and in a variety of different situations. The Tae Kwon Do – derived kicks and strikes provide excellent power at medium and long range, while the throws, locks, chokes and joint manipulation of Judo and Hapkido allow for effective close-range fighting and grappling.
Kyuki-Do Today
In the AKF, our focus is on teaching effective and practical self-defense that can be used by men, women, and children. The Martial Art that our schools teach is called Kyuki-Do.
Kyuki-Do is designed to be practical, versatile, and effective at a variety of different ranges and in a variety of different situations. The Tae Kwon Do – derived kicks and strikes provide excellent power at medium and long range, while the throws, locks, chokes and joint manipulation of Judo and Hapkido allow for effective close range fighting and grappling.
Kyuki-Do is a living, growing martial art that continues to expand and change. In addition to the core elements of Tae Kwon Do, Judo and Hapkido, Kyuki-Do also includes techniques from Jujitsu, Karate, boxing, wrestling, traditional weapons from Okinawa and the Philippines, and many other arts and styles.
Kyuki-Do is more than just an effective system of self defense; it is a martial art that encourages students to realize their own potential, both physically, mentally and spiritually. Students of Kyuki-Do learn discipline, self-control, patience, persistence and respect for themselves and others. Students are expected to continually strive to perfect themselves, both in the do jang, and in every other area of their life.
In addition to Kyuki-Do, many of our schools offer separate classes in Judo, Juijitsu and Hapkido.