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Biography of Master Tom Gwak |
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Founder of HAP DO SOOL |
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| 1938 | Tom Gwak was born in Pal Myun-Tong, China, near the border of the Soviet Union. His great grandfather was the Second Knight to the King of Korea. |
| 1939 | The Gwak family moved back to Korea. |
| 1944 | At the age of six began his martial arts training |
| 1951 - 54 | Was top member of his gymnastics team in junior high school. |
| 1954 - 57 | Captain of his high school rugby team (Scrum Center). |
| 1955 | While still in High School, open first Combined Martial Arts Institute in Taegu, Korea. |
| 1957 - 59 | Captain of the wrestling team at Soo San College, Korea |
| 1959 | Fisheries College graduate |
| 1960 - 62 | Korean wrestling champion for two years. |
| 1963 | Invited by the Fuji Okamota boxing promoter of Japan, won all five of his matches. |
| 1963 | Received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from the University of Korea. |
| 1963 - 64 | Coeach to Korea Navy and Marines (1st Division) in Taekwon-Do, Judo, and Boxing. |
| 1964 - 65 | Coach of the Judo and wrestling teams at the University of Korea. |
| 1964 - 65 | Oriental Boxing Welter Weight Champion |
| 1964 - 67 | Team coach for the Korean Army (1st Division) in Taekwon-Do, boxing, and wrestling. |
| 1967 | Korean Acupuncture School graduate. |
| 1967 - 69 | Instructor to the 8th U.S. Army in Korea in Taekwon-Do and Hap Ki Do. |
| 1968 | Founded HAP DO SOOL Association and open first HAP DO SOOL Institute in Seoul, Korea. |
| 1968 | Won a film company sponsored Martial Arts contest for top martial Arts instructors and was chosen to direct and star in movies for Kuk Dong films. |
| 1968 - 72 | Directed and starred in ten Kung Fu movies in Korea and Hong Kong. |
| 1970 | Received 9th Degree black belt and elected Grand Master of HAP DO SOOL. |
| 1970 | Became Administrator/Director of Korea Martial Arts Association. |
| 1972 | Personal instructor of HAP DO SOOL to Vietnam's presidential body guards. |
| 1973 - 74 | Instructor of HAP DO SOOL at the French Sports Center in Saigon, Vietnam. |
| 1974 | Opened the first United States HAP DO SOOL Institute in Evanston, Illinois. |
| 1975 | Member of Board of Directors, Midwest Tae Kwon Do Union, Illinois. |
| 1976 | Received State of Illinois non-profit status (#301186). |
| 1976 | BEcame a professional boxer, Chicago, Illinois (License #02-10381-B). |
| 1976 | Opened the second Korean HAP DO SOOL Institute in Seoul, Korea. |
| 1976 - 77 | Coach to the U.S. Olympic boxing team for the 1978 Olympic Games, Golden Group, Chicago. |
| 1977 | Opened the Second United States HAP DO SOOL Institute in Chicago, Illinois. |
| 1977 | Obtained renewal of State of Illinois non-profit status (#7255) |
| 1977 | Opened the first Mexican HAP DO SOOL Institute in Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. |
| 1978 | Received non-profit status from the Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C. |
| 1979 | Received tax exemption (#36-3000674) |
| 1980 | Opened the third Korean HAP DO SOOL Institute in Seoul, Korea. |
| 1980 - 82 | Instructor of HAP DO SOOL to the Chicago Police Department, Chicago, Illinois. |
| 1982 | Held "Higher Technique" seminar for Hap Ki Do Masters, Seoul, Korea. |
| 1982 | Opened the third United States HAP DO SOOL Institute in Redlands, California. |
| 1983 | Received State of California Qualification (#1232103). |
| 1984 - 92 | Began the instruction of HAP DO SOOL at the YMCA and the YWCA, Redlands, California. |
| 1984 | Instructor at the University of Redlands, Redlands, California. |
| 1985 | Acupressure Graduate of Dong In College, Los Angeles, California. |
| 1985 | Teaching Certificate in Acupressure and Acupuncture from the California Educational Department. |
| 1986 | Private Post Secondary Education, College of Health Science, California (#1860). |
| 1987 | Received Bachelors Degree in Oriental Medicine, Yuin University, Baldwin Park, California. |
| 1987 | Received Bachelor of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Yuin University. |
| 1991 | Received Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Yuin University. |
| 1991 | Received Certificate of Oriental Medical Doctor, Anhui College, China. |
| 1992 | Received State of California Acupuncture License. |
| 1993 | Committee Chairman, World Martial Arts Master's Union. |
| 1993 | Received Certificate of Western Medical Doctor, Iongliao National Medical College, China. |
| 1993 | Received Doctor of Philosophy in Oriental Medicine, Yuin University, Baldwin Park, California. |
| 1993 | Opened T&T Medical Center - Acupuncture and Herbs, in Redlands, California. |