Instructors

Grandmaster Sung Soo Lee

Master Sung Soo Lee, 9th dan, began his Martial Arts studies when he was 11, practising Ju Jitsu at the Kaesung Library Dojang under the instruction of his grandfather. In 1953, at the age of 17, he joined Taekwondo Jidokwan under Professor Yoon Kwe Byun in Seoul. In 1956 after nine years of study, Master Lee attained his 1st dan in Taekwondo Jidokwan.

Between the years of 1958-60 he was invited to become the USA's eighth Military Army Taekwondo instructor in Seoul and Osan. In 1974 Master Lee was invited to Australia and he has remained here ever since.

In 1975 he was one of the first Hapkido instructors in Australia and in 1986 was appointed president of the Australian Hapkido Federation, the only Hapkido Federation recognised by both the Australian and Korean Governments.

Master Lee has been an important asset to the growth of Martial Arts in Australia. He has led students on three international tours: the first to Taiwan in 1979 for the Taekwondo Championships, the second in 1988 to Noumea for the New Caledonia-Australia Taekwondo games, and the third in 1996 to Korea. Master Lee believes that Martial Arts are not about fighting but about living. "There is no need to compete in Hapkido. Hapkido is not against nature, but follows the natural order."

Dan Rieff (drieff@amaa.net.au)

Sabomnim Dan Rieff has been training in Martial Arts for the last 16 years. Some of the Martial Arts he's trained in are Wing Chun Kung Fu where he reached the level of Grade 4 assistant instructor. He holds a brown belt in Zen Do Kai Karate, a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo Jidokwan, a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Hapkido Moohakkwan, and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sabomnim Rieff is also a qualified Personal Trainer through the Fitness Institute of Australia and is registered with Fitness NSW.