Biography of Renshi Hunter

Renshi HunterMr. Hunter's martial arts career began in 1972 while stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. At that time, he started training in Shorin Ryu Karate under Robert Teller Sensei.

In 1976, he was transferred to Osan Air Base Korea where he began studying Shaolin Kung Fu and Do Hap Sul (a Hapkido variant). After approximately one year he was transferred to Taegu City, Korea and began studying Oh Do Kwan Tae Kwan Do. In 1979, the Central Oh Do Kwan and the Kukkiwon awarded him his 1st degree black belt.

In 1980, he was transferred to George AFB in Southern California where he trained with various instructors in Tae Kwan Do and Tang Soo Do. In 1982 he was transferred to Misawa AB Japan, there he met GM Ronald Suggs and was an assistant instructor in GM Suggs' Tae Kwan Do class held on base. On weekends they trained in Hapkido and Judo. At that time he also began studying Aikido in order to round out his fighting skills. Mr. Hunter was awarded his 1st Degree black belt in Aikido in 1985. After returning to the United States, he started teaching Aikido at Dyess AFB under the supervision of Sensei Ed Francis. Mr. Hunter received his 2nd degree black belt from Francis Sensei in 1991.

In 1995, Mr. Hunter joined a large martial arts organization and cross trained in jujutsu and judo. At the time he left that organization, he had been ranked as a 5th Dan in Aikido, and a 4th Dan in Jujutsu.

Mr. Hunter also spent some time studying with W. Hock Hoccheim (Scientific Fighting Congress) and had the opportunity to study Hand to Hand combatives and Knife/Counter knife combatives with Hock.

In October, 2002, Mr. Hunter reconnected with GM Suggs and joined the American Hapkido Hurk Choo Kwan Association. Without a doubt the two people who have most influenced Mr. Hunter's martial arts have been GM Suggs (Hapkido, Tae Kwan Do and Judo) and Ed Francis Sensei (Aikido). Although Mr. Hunter has returned to teaching Korean Martial Arts and Judo, his years of training in Aikido significantly affect his interpretation of Hapkido techniques.

Mr Hunter currently holds the following ranks:
     • Hapkido 5th Dan - American Hapkido Hurk Choo Kwan Association
     • Tae Kwan Do 2nd Dan - Kukkiwon
     • Judo 1st Dan- U. S. Judo Association
     • Aikido 5th Dan - Unaffiliated