Even though I am educated as a Bio-Medical Physicist (Ph.D.) and an Electrical Engineering Metrologist (Ph.D.), I am dedicating the rest of my life to the teaching and perpetuation of the traditional Oriental Martial Arts that I have trained extensively from China, Korea, and the Philippines. I have been teaching the Martial Arts since 1988. I trained and competed as an Amateur Golden Gloves Boxer from 1966 to 1970 in the State of Ohio. In 1970 I began the study of the Southern Chinese boxing systems of Hung Ga (Tiger and Crane Kung Fu) and Tai Chi Ch’uan under Sifu Po Chang Yee in Columbus, Ohio. In 1977, I began the study of Wing Chun Kuen. While continuing my training and study of these Chinese systems, my residence was transferred to Kansas through my professional and scientific duties. In 1983, I began extensive training in the Korean Martial Art of Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do.

I was introduced to the Philippine Martial Art of Eskrima in 1985 in Wichita. I have been training in Eskrima every since while keeping all that I have attained under the Chinese National Flag and the Korean National Flag. Additional weapons training and Hosinsul in the traditional Korean Self-Defense Art of Hapkido was added to my daily regimen. Also, in 1985, I was permitted to continue my Yang Style Tai Chi Ch’uan training with Sifu Dr. Ho’o and Sifu Wu in Wichita. My training in the Yong Chun Quan and Bai Mei (White Eyebrow) Kung Fu began in 1996 and continues today. During the 1986 to 1989 period, I engaged in training with JKD/Kali methods of Dan Inosanto, Terry Gibson and Paul Vunak. In 1996, I received training in the Pilipino Art of Arnis De Mano from Grandmaster Ernesto Presas. In 1990, the Ko Mu Do Kwan (Ko Wu Tao Kwoon) was founded in Wichita. The first commercial school building was established in July 1996 for the Ko Mu Do Kwan and the Ko Wu Tao Kwoon at 2601 E. Douglas Ave. in Wichita.

In April 2000, the present location of the Ko Mu Do Kwan and the Ko Wu Tao Kwoon at 2819 E. Central Ave. began. From 1996 to 2000, I taught Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Wing Chun for the Kinesiology Department as part of the Physical Education Curriculum at Wichita State University with each carrying an academic full-credit hour.

I currently hold the 6th DAN Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do Han Moo Kwan under its founder, the Great Grandmaster Lee, Kyo Yoon in Seoul, Korea; the 6th DAN Black Belt in Taekwondo from the U.S. Central Taekwondo Association under its founder, Grandmaster Won, In Hui; the 6th DAN Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan from its second generation President, Grandmaster Chon, Jae Kyu of Seoul; the 5th DAN Black Belt in Hapkido from the Universal Hapkido Institute from its founder, Grandmaster Kim, Ik-Hwan from New Jersey; the 5th DAN Black Belt from the Kukkiwon (World Headquarters for Taekwondo) and its President, Dr. Un Yong Kim in Seoul, Korea; Master Instructorship in Hosinsul from its Society founder, Grandmaster Dr. Dae Shik Kim; and Master Instructorship from Grandmaster Shin, Soung Eui (Moo Duk Kwan). I earned and was conferred an Instructor’s Red Sash in Hung Ga Kung Fu from Sifu Po, Chang Yee; an Instructor’s Black Sash in Wing Chun Gung Fu from the Fushan Shaolin Yong Chun Academy; an Instructor’s Black Sash in Bai Mei (White Eyebrow) Kung Fu from the Fushan Bai Mei Quan; and a First Level Instructorship in the Tacosa Serrada Eskrima from Eskrimador Master Jimmy Tacosa.

I was extremely fortunate to become re-acquainted, and re-connected with Master Tacosa in Chicago in October, 2000. My son, Michael, and I hosted Master Tacosa in Wichita at the Ko Mu Do Kwan for a seminar in February 2001. Master Tacosa stayed during most of the month of February to privately train and test us. I am dedicated to preserving the Art of Tacosa Serrada Eskrima as directly handed down from Eskrimador Master Jimmy Tacosa and further from his Guro, the Great Eskrimador and Grandmaster Angel Cabales of Stockton. I am very proud to be among the TSE team of instructors (my TSE brothers) to represent this fantastic martial art and to perpetuate its virtues and values.

My son, Chief Instructor and Guro Michael Coconis, and I are offering TSE Seminars throughout the U.S. For more information on booking a TSE seminar in your area, call the Ko Mu Do Kwan at (316) 651-5050 or send email to Dr. Gar Ko at: garwonko@southwind.net or to Guro Michael Coconis at: tsefreeflow@netscape.net

Maraming Salamat po,

Mabuhay ang Tacosa Serrada Eskrima!

Dr. Gar W. Ko
Ko Mu Do Kwan

http://www.komudokwan.com

Wichita, Kansas (USA)