Korean Job Discussion Forums

[USANAK]

If anyone knows any good instructors and/or schools for either or all of the following, would very much appreciate the contact details.

1. Filipino Stick Fighting

2. Boxing

3. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

I'm located in Itaewon and willing to travel for a good trainer and/or school. If any of you have advanced skills in any of these arts, I'd like to meet with you and discuss training.

Will pay reasonable money for someone who has genuine skill. But only interested in schools and/or instructors who know what the hell they're talking about. I'm not a newbie as far as any of these arts are concerned, so with all due respects, don't bother contacting me if you have never actually done any training with qualified instructors and actually achieved officially recognized levels of skill.

Not interested in self-taught street fighters and/or bar fighters. I respect the fact that you guys can fight, but I prefer to continue my training only with those who train in these arts. By the way, if any of you want to see some first class street fighting by a guy who evidences both boxing and martial arts training, check out:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=k8EEN5RkltY&feature=related

It takes a while to build up to the action but well worth the wait. This guy really knows how to fight. Brilliant stuff!

Finally, anyone know some gyms close to Itaewon that have punching bags? Planning to buy and set up my own over here, but if I can find a gym it will save more than a few dollars.

I'll be doing some research this week via Korean sites and posting some messages. If I have any luck I'll post the details here for anyone else who's interested.

Thanks in advance,

USANAK

[Golem]

John Frankl is the only BJJ blackbelt in Korea. Google BJJ + Seoul and you should be able to find his contact information quickly. There are other gyms but that is the one closest to where you live and the standard against which all other BJJ gyms in Korea would have to be compared to.

There are tons of places to do boxing but I find I often don't like the coaching style at many gyms. Far too often I can't get any pointers on what I am doing right or wrong and its often difficult to get people to hold pads. This isn't just my complaint, I have heard many others say the same thing.

There are a lot of people from the Philippines here in Korea so there must be some place to practice Kali/Escrima but there are none that I know of.

You should seriously consider learning Judo here in Korea as well. There are quite a few top notch instructors of Judo here.

[USANAK]

Golem:

Thanks mate, appreciate the information.

Tried out Judo back in the day, not practical enough for me. But thanks for the suggestion anyway. You are right, some of the best in the world are right here.

I'll keep searching on the boxing front. Has to be someone somewhere who know how to coach. Failing that, might take a holiday in the States: some brilliant coaches out that way.

Stay upright!

USANAK

[USANAK]

Excellent Golem. You were right. Found him very easily. Here are the details for anyone else who is interested.

Korea / Japan - Regional Director: John Frankl

JohnJohn began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in Los Angeles under the legendary Rickson Gracie. Rickson�s patient, methodical style as a fighter and attention to detail as a teacher are both evident in John�s approach to Jiu Jitsu. Following a year with Rickson, under whom he received his blue belt, John moved from Los Angeles to Boston to pursue his doctoral studies at Harvard University.

In Boston, John trained another eight years with Roberto Maia, founder of Boston Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a black belt under Carlos Gracie, Jr., and the cousin of Renzo Gracie and the Machado Brothers. Under Roberto, John received his purple, brown, and black belts. John was also fortunate to have the opportunity to train extensively with Claudio Franca whenever he visited his hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. After nine years of continuous and dedicated study, John is among the elite group of Americans black belts.

John�s academic and martial arts careers have long overlapped. His travels allowed him to train and fight not only all over the U.S., but also in Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan. John also founded Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Korea, where he has often lived for extended periods of study and research. His academy, Seoul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, has now grown into the nationwide organization, Korea Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

SBGi Gyms:

Contact: John Frankl
Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
010-6233-4752
johnfrankl(at)yahoo.com

Note: The above address is not the gym. Please call or email John for directions to the gym.

[Tukkong]

There is a gym near Kyunghee University that teaches Arnis, French Cane Fighting, Gumdo and Capioera. I am not entirely sure of where the instructor learnt his skills. However, he is skilled in what he does. His wife, who teaches Gumdo and Cane Fighting used to be very well known in the Korean martial arts world - she was often on TV promoting Gumdo. There are some guys who have posted about this gym on this site.

Boxing gyms can be found around the place. I go to one down the road from the gym above. Its run by a former Korean and Pan-Asian champion. The coach is a very nice guy and you can choose how seriously you want to take it. PM me if you want details.

[USANAK]

Thanks mate. Sent a PM.

Tried my first session with the BJJ instructors today to see what they were like. Nice guys, reasonable training skills. But I'll try their other school and a different time first to see what they are like.

Man, I thought I was getting pretty fit what with running up hills and weight lifting. But man, I feel like I went a few rounds with Tyson after my first session. Want a good workout, BBJ is definitely it!

[i4NI]

[USANAK]

Yep, went to Apgujeong.

Nope, I by no means held my own with them. I was pants mate.

My only excuse is they are half my age and if the instructor has an ounce of body fat, I'm blind. Rotten fit bas...grin.

But give me time mate, just give me time, I'll set them right...in a year or three

[bushell1212]

Hi,

I might be interested in the BJJ thing but.....

can someone give me a lowdown on where I can start taking boxing lessons??

I take note of the above points but figure I want to give it a try anyway and see.

I have never boxed before so it should be pretty easy to give me tips on what Im doing wrong!!!!

Cheers

[aboxofchocolates]

Does this John Frankl guy train on the weekends? I can't get out on weekdays.

[Ultimo Hombre]

http://www.hannamboxing.com/

Anybody know how this place is?

Or a place closer to Mokdong?

[BrianInSuwon]

If anyone is interested, I'll start a Filipino Martial Arts club in Guri. We just need to find a place to buy some sticks and maybe some focus gloves and bag gloves.

[Allen]

Check E-Mart. The one in Sanbon had some sticks. Not very high quality burnt ratan but good for a training group.