Haidong Gumdo

Haidong Gumdo

Haidong Gumdo literally translated means “Korean Sword Art of the Eastern Sea”. The Oriental Moo-Do School of Colorado teaches this ancient and beautiful Korean Sword Martial Art.

Haidong Gumdo traces its roots to the Korean Gogrya Kingdom (331 AD). For centuries, sword fighting was practiced by Korean soldiers as a primary means of defense. As time passed, the sword was no longer a practical form of combat and its practice became structured as an art for mental and physical development.

In 1984, the art was modernized by Master Jeong-Ho Kim who founded the Korean Haidong Gumdo Federation and developed the World Haidong Gumdo Federation in 1996. Modern Haidong Gumdo practice is structured in a variety of ways including fundamentals, forms, combat drills and cutting objects like bamboo and straw bundles. Beginners practice with a wooden training sword to develop fundamental skills. Advanced practitioners train with both wooden and the forged steel swords.

Haidong Gumdo has rapidly grown in popularity. As a rare and exclusive martial arts form it is rapidly growing among students of all ages. Today there are over 1 million practitioners in 30 countries. In 2002, the first world championships were held in Korea hosting over 10,000 competitors from 14 countries.

Master W.T. Alexander introduced the art of Haidong Gumdo to Colorado in 2004 and established the Oriental Moo-Do School of Colorado as the first and only school in Colorado authorized to teach Haidong Gumdo. After Master Alexander’s death in 2007, the Haidong Gumdo program was taken over by Mr. Daniel Heier.