| Sang Kee Paik | |
|---|---|
Sang Kee Paik |
|
| Born | August 21, 1929 Korea |
| Died | July 12, 2009 (aged 79) United States of America |
| Style | Taekwondo, Sa-Sang Kwan |
| Rank | 9th dan taekwondo (Kukkiwon) |
| Notable school(s) | Paik's Academy of Martial Arts, Madison, Wisconsin |
Sang Kee Paik (1929–2009) was a South Korean master of taekwondo and creator of a new martial art he called Sa-Sang Kwan (Korean: school of the four natural elements: heaven, earth, fire, and water).[1] His system was based primarily upon the Chuan Fa he had studied under Grandmasters Yoon Byung-In and Kim Ki Whang while growing up in Seoul, Korea, but also required complete mastery of his own "hybrid" taekwondo kicking techniques, plus some elements of Shudokan karate.[1][2] For Sa-Sang Kwan, Paik developed four primary forms (Korean: hyung), each representing one of the natural elements. He also developed a rigorous philosophy unique to the system, and intended to be carried into one's everyday life.[2]
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After completing his PhD in animal pathology, Paik moved to the United States from South Korea in 1969 to work at the University of Wisconsin Primate Research Center as a research pathologist.[1] In 1971, he opened "Paik's U.S. Oriental Martial Arts Institute" in Madison, Wisconsin, and soon left his research position to devote all of his efforts to teaching the martial arts.[1] In 1977, he purchased a former elementary school building in Madison and converted it into a unique training facility consisting of 3 separate gymnasiums, and live-in dorm rooms for serious students and instructors. He changed the name of the school to "Paik's Academy of Martial Arts", and there he hosted many "special weekend training" sessions with his black belt staff. These two day sessions included early morning meditation, 8 hours of intense training each day, meals together, and overnight camping in the gymnasium. Paik said these sessions mirrored those he had attended regularly under Grandmasters Yoon and Kim in Korea.[2]
Paik was involved with the World Taekwondo Federation since its inception in 1973[2], and was chosen to host the 1990 USA Taekwondo National Championships - an initial qualifying event for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona (which was to include taekwondo as a demonstrator sport)[1][2]. Paik held this tournament in Madison, Wisconsin at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum of the Alliant Energy Center[2]. Afterward, he served as Head of the U.S. Team for the remaining qualifying events leading up to the 1992 Olympics.[2]
Despite his long traditional background in the martial arts, he was passionate about creativity and applied a scientific approach to training. By the mid-1970's, he developed and required complete independence of leg motion, i.e. kicking with many mixed techniques and multiple targets before bringing the foot back down to the ground, which was not done in traditional taekwondo at the time.[2] In 1990 he successfully implemented a first ever Taekwondo Creative Forms Division at the 1990 USA Taekwondo National Championships.[3] This division allowed competitors to create and perform customized forms (Korean: Hyung).[3] In a communication to lobby for his idea, Paik wrote that "When techniques become art, art becomes philosophy. While we must respect and practice traditional forms, we must also allow for the creative process to advance the martial arts."[3]
He retired from full-time teaching around 1997 at 68 years of age, and passed the school to his son, 8th dan Grandmaster Peter Paik, who now operates his school in Madison, Wisconsin under the name of "Paik's Traditional Martial Arts."[1]
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.[4] Son Peter and daughter Mia felt the best way to eulogize their father was to ask former students to speak at the podium. Many did, and universally recounted what an extraordinary man Paik was, and what a positive and permanent impact he had on their lives. Some also noted he had a knack for taking in troubled/at risk teenagers or adults, sometimes offering free lessons, and bringing about life-changing reforms through an effective combination of benevolence and tough discipline.[2][4]