Kuk Sool Won world champion teaches at Hurlburt

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Kuk Sool Won is a traditional Korean martial art which uses techniques dating back more than 5,000 years.

Retired Master Sgt. Amado Garcia, who was previously aissigned to the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has been instructing Kuk Sool Won here since 2008.

"I've been interested in martial arts since a kid; I've just never been able to afford it," said Garcia, who has been involved with Kuk Sool Won for 20 years.

He met his instructor in 1993 while stationed in Germany. Learning techniques quickly, he became an assistant instructor less than a year later.

Before deciding to stick with Kuk Sool Won, Garcia tried other martial arts forms such as Tiger Claw, Kung Fu and Taichi.

"I chose Kuk Sool Won because it's well rounded," he said. "Kuk Sool Won uses more than 20 traditional weapons, meditation, and ki cho ja ki, which is a Korean breathing technique."

Garcia said his biggest accomplishment was in 2000 when he earned the title of Kuk Sool Won undisputed world champion as a 2nd degree black belt. He won a tournament in the United Kingdom and the Grand Champion World tournament in Texas.

Now, Garcia is a 5th degree black belt and has promoted more than 50 black belts since he began instructing.

Garcia said Kuk Sool Won is a great equalizer which teaches patience. He said it has helped him throughout his military career.

"When in a supervisory position, you never want to lose your cool," he said. "As we know, we don't make the best decisions when angry; our thinking is clouded."

Garcia said the breathing techniques and meditation he practices in Kuk Sool Won keeps him calm during difficult moments.

"You have to take control of a situation instead of letting the situation control you," he said.

Garcia is the only authorized Kuk Sool Won instructor in Florida. He instructs classes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Aderholt gym.

Capt. Lisa Citino, 1st Special Operations Wing public affairs officer, said she has been training with Garcia for three years.

"Kuk Sool Won has become a passion of mine," said Citino, who is a brown-black belt.

Citino said she got involved with Kuk Sool Won after looking for an activity to increase her upper body strength. She said she chose Kuk Sool Won because it engaged her mind and body. 

Citino said she enjoys training with Garcia, and thinks of her Kuk Sool Won peers as family.

"He is always about improvement," she said. "[Garcia] works with us on individual levels to ensure our improvement."

For information about Kuk Sool Won at Hurlburt Field, visit www.kuksoolwon-hurlburt.com.