Chang-Soo Chung

Sun-hwan Chung, born May 8, 1940, is a globally recognized grandmaster in Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, and Taekwondo. He is the originator of the Moo Sool Do martial arts system and leads the World Academy of Martial Arts. Born in Japan and raised in Korea, Chung began his martial arts journey at age eight under Hwang Kee, founder of Moo Duk Kwan. He achieved significant competitive success, winning the Korean Tae Kwon Do National Championships for three consecutive years and the Asian Championship in 1966. From 1967 to 1971, he managed Hwang Kee's primary training center in Seoul. Chung also developed foundational training forms for Tang Soo Do and Moo Sool Do.

In 1969, Chung was dispatched to the United States by Hwang Kee, becoming one of the earliest Korean masters to teach in the U.S. He established a strong reputation through sparring and impressive demonstrations of mental fortitude and physical resilience. He fostered relationships with numerous martial arts pioneers in America during the 1970s. In 1972, he founded Moo Sool Do in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a system integrating various martial arts, and has continued to teach and publish on the subject for over four decades. Chung has also been involved in university physical education programs and held leadership positions within martial arts organizations, including serving on the testing panel for Chuck Norris's 7th dan promotion.

Born in Nagasaki, Japan, and later moving to Korea, Sun-hwan Chung commenced his martial arts training at the age of eight under the guidance of Moo Duk Kwan founder Hwang Kee. He also studied under instructors Chang-young Chong, Jong-soo Hong, and Jae-joon Kim. By sixteen, he had earned his first black belt, which was midnight blue. Chung demonstrated exceptional competitive prowess, securing victories in the Korean Tae Kwon Do National Championships for three consecutive years (1963-1967) and winning the Asian Championship in 1966. He further honed his skills and contributed to the development of training forms, creating essential poomse like Kicho Hyeong Sa Bu (Basic Form 4) for Tang Soo Do and several others for his own system. During the 1980s, his expertise extended to military combat instruction for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, as well as self-defense training for the Korean police and security services.

In 1969, Sun-hwan Chung was sent to the United States by Hwang Kee as part of a significant delegation of Korean martial arts masters. His arrival marked him as one of the earliest U.S.-based masters. Initially, he taught at Kim's Karate School in Michigan, where he quickly built a formidable reputation. Chung traveled extensively across the country, engaging in sparring matches with many prominent martial artists of the era, notably maintaining an undefeated record. Beyond his fighting skills, he became known for his remarkable mental toughness, performing feats such as supporting immense weight on needles inserted into his body and enduring a car driving over his chest. During the 1970s, his growing renown led to friendships with key figures in the American martial arts community, including Sang Kyu Shim, Kang Uk Lee, Bong-soo Han, Jhoon Rhee, Mike Stone, and Chuck Norris.

In 1972, Chung established his own martial arts system, Moo Sool Do (Martial Arts United), in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This innovative system integrates elements from Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, Moo Sool Gi, and Ki Gon. He has authored and published instructional materials for Moo Sool Do and has been teaching the system for over forty years, both in Kalamazoo and through affiliated schools. Chung also played a role in introducing Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Tang Soo Do to Bermuda in the early 1980s. His commitment to martial arts education includes teaching physical education classes at Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. He has held significant positions within martial arts organizations, including vice president of the Michigan Tae Kwon Do Association and serving on the U.S. Taekwondo Union's International Referee panel. Chung's influence is further demonstrated by his selection to present Chuck Norris with his 7th dan black belt and his founding of the Michigan Cup International Martial Arts Championships.