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Dr. Kim Hosinsul book cover print.jpg

PROFESSOR DAESHIK KIM

Master Instructor & Academic Scholar

Prof Daeshik Kim

Dr. Daeshik Kim (1934–2007) stands as one of the most prominent Korean-American martial arts scholars, educators, and grandmasters of the 20th century. Widely recognized as the "Father of Collegiate Martial Arts in the United States," he bridged traditional martial arts disciplines with formal academic kinesiology, publishing seminal instructional texts that standardized training for generations of practitioners.

Photo taken from the cover of Dr. Kim's book Hosinsul: Conceptual Self Defense

Early Career & Foundations in Korea

Born in Korea in 1934, Dr. Kim began his martial arts training during the formative era of modern Korean combat sports. He achieved high-level mastery in multiple complementary disciplines, eventually earning:

  • 10th Degree Black Belt in Hosin-Hapkido

  • 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo

  • 9th Degree Black Belt in Judo

Before establishing his career in North America, Dr. Kim held prominent leadership roles in South Korea's national athletic infrastructure, serving as Chair of the Physical Education Department at Yonsei University in Seoul, as well as a Director for both the Korean Judo Association and the Korean Amateur Sports Association.

Pioneering Collegiate Martial Arts in the U.S.

In 1974, Dr. Kim joined the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin as an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, a position he held until 1996.

During his tenure at UT Austin and across the broader American academic landscape, Dr. Kim spearheaded the integration of martial arts into formal university physical education curricula:

  • National Collegiate Judo Association (NCJA): Served as President, expanding competitive intercollegiate Judo across the United States.

  • International Council on Martial Arts Education: Served as Executive Director, promoting academic research and structured pedagogical standards for combat sports.

  • Olympic Movement: Served as an official for the Olympic Games across multiple quadrennial cycles.

Literary & Pedagogical Legacy

Dr. Kim authored or co-authored more than 25 books on martial arts and self-defense. His writings were noted for breaking down technical biomechanics, forms (poomsae / kata), sparring strategy, and self-defense principles into clear, systematic instruction suitable for university courses and traditional dojangs alike.

Among his most widely utilized works are:

  • Taekwondo (with Tom Seabourne)

  • Judo (with Kyung Sun Shin)

  • Karate

  • Self-Defense

Honors & Recognition

Dr. Kim’s contributions received high commendations across both international martial arts bodies and government institutions:

  • Awarded the title of Great Grand Master.

  • Awarded a National Medal by the Republic of Korea in 1992.

  • Formally recognized by the State of Georgia and the Texas House of Representatives for his service to physical education and martial arts.

Dr. Daeshik Kim passed away in 2007, leaving behind a lasting legacy that transformed traditional Korean and Japanese martial arts into respected, institutionalized academic subjects across North America

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