Master Geoff J.
Booth currently holds the rank of 7th degree in Hapkido under
Grandmaster Han-Jae, Ji(10th Degree) who discovered and named the art of
Hapkido.
Master Booth has been training in martial arts since 1977.Master Geoff J.
Booth currently holds the rank of 7th degree in Hapkido under
Grandmaster Han-Jae, Ji(10th Degree) who discovered and named the art of
Hapkido.
Master Booth has been training in martial arts since 1977.
On January 19, 1993, Booth decided to formed his own organisation which was called the Australian Hapkido Group (AHG) and International Hapkido Alliance (IHA), which he is chief instructor of. The organisation has numerous dojangs(schools) open throughout Sydney, the two primary dojangs in which Master Booth instructs are located in Moorebank and Hurstville.
Master Booth has developed his own style of hapkido called Kwan Nyom Hapkido, which translated from Korean to mean the school of concepts.
'Traditionally Hapkido is taught from set situations. For instance, a student is taught a specific number of wristlocks from a same hand grab, then from a cross hand grab. This exposes the student to a variety of different techniques and how to apply these techniques in different situations. The student learns the techniques through repetition and training.' (Booth, 2003, p.4)
The way Kwan Nyom is taught differs slightly, in that the student is taught fundamentally what a wristlock is and a few application of the skill. The student then, is left to explore how to apply wristlocks to multiple situations. For instance, from a hair grab, choke or shoulder grab.
Using this teaching method, the student learns what a wristlock is, fundamentally how it works, and the application of the technique from a variety of positions. This way, it does not matter how an attacker is going to hurt you, it a matter of how you are going to react to the situation.
Master Booth also holds rank in several other martial arts style. These include, Tae Kwon Do and Southern Shaolin Tiger & Dragon Kung Fu.
Master Booth over the years have won many different titles, at state, national and world levels. Some of these accomplishments are listed below between the years of 1995-2001:
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2001 | NAS National Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 2001 | NAS State Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 2001 | NAS Regional Titles - 3rd Place Self Defence |
| 1999 | MAMNET - School of the Year |
| 1999 | NAS Natianal Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 1999 | NAS State Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 1999 | NAS Regional Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 1999 | ISKA - Appointed at a Level 3 Head Referee |
| 1998 | MAMNET - School of the Year |
| 1998 | ISKA Male Competitor of the Year Self Defence and Showmanship |
| 1998 | NAS National Titles - 2nd Place Self Defence |
| 1998 | NAS State Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 1998 | NAS Regional Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 1998 | World Cup Self Defence Grand Champion |
| 1998 | World Cup Self Defence 1st Place |
| 1998 | World Cup Showmanship Grand Champion |
| 1998 | World Cup - 1st Place Showmanship |
| 1997 | World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Awards Instructor of the Year |
| 1997 | NAS Regional Titles - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 1997 | ISKA Appointed Chief Technical Advisor Demonstration & Self Defence Events |
| 1996 | ISKA Male Competitor of the Year Self Defence & Showmanship |
| 1996 | Australasian World Hall of Fame Awards - Hapkido Instructor of the Year |
| 1996 | World Karate Union Hall of Fame Awards - Hapkido Instructor of the Year |
| 1996 | World cup - 1st Place Self Defence |
| 1996 | CCP Nationals - 3rd Place Weapons |
| 1996 | CCP Nationals - 2nd Place Showmanship |
| 1996 | CCP Nationals Grand Champion Showmanship |
| 1995 | Blitz Magazine Instructor Hall of Fame - Hapkido Instructor of the Year |
Source: Booth, 2003, "Australian Hapkido Group - Student Manual", p5