Sang-kee Paik

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In this Korean name, the family name is Paik.
Sang-kee Paik
Shudokan, Taekwondo
,
Rank10th "dan" founding grandmaster Sa-Sang Kwon Bup; also 9th dan Taekwondo (Kukkiwon)
Notable school(s)Paik's Oriental Martial Arts Institute, Paik's Academy of Martial Arts, Madison, Wisconsin

Sang-kee Paik (1929–2009), also known in

hyung), symbolizing each of the four natural elements. He also developed a rigorous philosophy unique to the system, and intended to be carried into one's everyday life.[2]

Biography

Upon completing his

University of Wisconsin's Primate Research Center in Madison, Wisconsin.[1] In 1971, he opened "Paik's U.S. Oriental Martial Arts Institute", and soon left his research position to devote all of his efforts to teaching the martial arts.[1]

In 1977, Paik purchased a former elementary school(Sunnyside Elementary) building in

Kim in Korea.[2]

Paik also maintained a relationship with the

Olympic games to include Taekwondo as a demonstrator sport.[1][2] The tournament was held in Madison, Wisconsin at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum of the Alliant Energy Center.[2] In 1989, Paik had served as Team director of the U.S. delegate Team for the World games events leading up to the 1992 Olympics.[2]

Despite his long traditional background, Paik was passionate about creativity and continued advancement in the martial arts. By the mid-1970s, he had developed and rigorously taught full independence of leg motion in kicking techniques (i.e. kicks to multiple targets before bringing the foot back to the ground). This was not done in traditional

Hyung).[3] In a communication to lobby for this idea, Paik wrote: "With creativity, techniques become art; art becomes philosophy. While we must always respect and practice traditional form, we must also allow for the creative process to continue to advance the martial arts."[3]

Paik retired from full-time teaching in 1997 at 68 years of age, and passed the school to his son Peter Paik, 8th dan, who continues to operate the school in Madison, Wisconsin under the name of "Paik's Traditional Martial Arts Center - School of Integrity."[1]

Sang-kee Paik died peacefully surrounded by his family on July 12, 2009, after a long battle with cancer.[4] His memorial service was held in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 25, 2009 and was attended by hundreds of his former students.[4] Son Peter and daughter Myung (Mia) felt the best way to eulogize their father was to allow Paik's former students to speak at the podium. Many did, and universally recounted what an extraordinary teacher Paik was, and the positive and permanent impact he had upon their lives. Also noted was Paik's penchant for taking in at-risk or troubled students, sometimes by offering free lessons, and then successfully bringing about life-changing reform through a mixture of benevolence and tough discipline.[2][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Taekwondo Hall of Fame: History of Paik's USA Taekwondo Retrieved on 7 February 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j From the notes of Paik former chief instructor Gerald F. Neviaser (1984–1997).
  3. ^ a b c From the notes of Paik former chief instructor Gerald F. Neviaser, who assisted Paik with development of Creative Form Division at 1990 USTU Nationals.
  4. ^ a b c Dr. Sang-kee Paik Family Blog Obituary Announcement Retrieved on 16 March 2010.

External links

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