History

Tukong Moosul is an ideal martial art system for anyone, at any age, from children to adults, and is a traditional style of martial art. We take pride in blending a family environment with intensive training for students at all levels.

Grandmaster Wonik Yi holds a 9th-degree black belt and is the creator of Tukong Moosul and founder of the World Tukong Moosul Federation.

Tukong Moosul is both a very new style and one whose history can be directly traced back over 1200 years. Grandmaster Wonik Yi grew up in the Dae Yeon Sa (Great Achievement Temple) from age 5 until 19. During those 14 years, he was taught Buddhism, Philosophy, and a powerful martial art form that had no specific name.

In South Korea, military service is compulsory – so at age 19, Grandmaster left the temple to complete his civic duty. During his time there, he had the opportunity to showcase his powerful and effective martial arts and was eventually asked to develop a training system for the Special Forces under the command of General Chang Ki Oh. Taking the name of his unit, Tukong Moosul was born.

In 1982 Grandmaster Yi moved to Austin, Texas, and began teaching his blend of what he learned in the temple, and the training system he devised for the Special Forces.

Tukong is much more than effective self-defense; Tukong is a way of life.

Young Grandmaster Yi was the only child at the temple. He tells of being overwhelmed at first, desiring to leave at times. The temple headmaster, Eun Kwang Bup Sa, was a childhood friend of Grandmaster’s grandfather, and took Grandmaster in with kindness and compassion. Grandmaster eventually thrived, and loved living at the temple.

By sharing this powerful style with us, Grandmaster still honors his master’s philosophy of:

• Love
• Patience
• Humility
• Compassion

Eun Kwang Bup Sa passed away in 1996 at the age of 101. It is Grandmaster’s hope to pass in the same way as his master: Sitting upright during a class, and smiling at his students.