Over 150 martial artists attended the training held in SE Minnesota and Northern Iowa. GM Song is President of the Korea Simmudo Association, of the Shihung TaeKwonDo Association, and of the KyungGiDo TaeKwonDo Association.

GM Song provided training in the 3 areas of the Simmudo curriculum: Cheysul - throws; Hoshinsul - joint locks; Kwonsul - striking and kicking technique.

We were also honored with special training in Yusool and Yudo by Professor John Chambers from Inverness, FL. Prof. Chambers holds a 9th Dan in Yudo and an 8th Dan in Yusool with over 50 years martial arts experience. He is the President & Founder of Martial Arts USA.

The weeklong seminar concluded with a martial arts show including performances in Aikido, Karate, Jujitsu, Hapkido, Taekwondo, and Weaponry. The last day involved a black belt promotion test for those qualified to advance in rank with the Korea Simmudo Association.

The Korea Simmudo Association, headquartered in Shihung, S. Korea, is a black belt alliance for the promotion of traditional Korean martial arts, Korean culture, and professional development. The international headquarters is Rochester, MN with Fred Gommels as Director.

The seminar and other special events were a big success. Read this letter of thanks by Professor John Chambers:   Letter by John Chambers

First Row (in suits, left to right): Master Francis Moore, GrandMaster Song, Master Fred Gommels, Master Kim Second Row (in uniform, left to right): Jeremy Anderson, LeAnna Kruckeberg, Peter Shimshak, Steve Funke, Doug Crowson, Jarrod Wellik, Ralph Burtis, Paul Schmellik, Tim Wilcken, Dave Kapler

On Saturday night, May 22, 2004, SimMuDo members from around the midwest gathered to celebrate the martial arts with a 2+ hour demonstration in honor of the visiting Korean masters, including GrandMaster Song, Pan Gon. During this event, awards were presented and appointments were made by both Korean and US officials.

GrandMaster Pan Gon Song, President of the Korea Simmudo Association, of the Shihung TaeKwonDo Association, and of the KyungGiDo TaeKwonDo Association recently made the following appointments during his 5th Simmudo training seminar held in Rochester, MN.

Shihung United Taekwondo Association

Honorary International Board Member

Fred Gommels - 5th Dan    Rochester MN

Master Gommels started his marital arts training in 1973, and has trained in Judo, Taekwondo, Hapkido, KongSooDo, Aiki-Jujitsu, weaponry. He is certified with the Korean New Martial Arts Hapkido Federation (Seung Ri Kwan), Korea TaeKwondo ChungDoKwan, and the Korea Simmudo Association.

Master Gommels is the President of the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. and Director of the Korea/USA Simmudo Association both headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota USA.

John Chambers - 9th Dan    Inverness, FL

Professor Chambers started his martial arts training in 1953 and has trained in Yudo, Yusool, Jujitsu, Judo, Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Karate. He holds an 8th Dan with the Korean Yusool Association and 9th Degree in Yudo/Jujitsu as the United States Representative for the Republic of Korea Yudo Association. He is the founder and president of Martial Arts USA.     www.martialartsusa.com

Francis Moore - 5th Dan    Waterloo IA

Master Moore started his martial arts training in 1972 while stationed in Viet Nam. He has trained in Taekwondo and Hoshinsul. Master Moore is certified with the American ChungDoKwan Taekwondo Association, World Taekwondo Federation, and the Korea Simmudo Association. He is the director of the Academy of Korean Martial Arts in Waterloo, IA.     www.theakma.com

Barry Moszer - 4th Dan    Albert Lea MN

Master Moszer began training in the martial arts in 1972 and has trained in Taekwondo, Yudo, Tangsoodo, Gongsoodo and Hapkido. He is certified with the Korea TaeKwondo ChungDoKwan, World Taekwondo Federation, and the Korea Simmudo Association. Master Moszer is the Director of the Karate Studio of Albert Lea, MN.     www.mafci.com