Jack Hwang began his study of martial arts in 1941 while in the 4th grade. His fervor for martial art was fed by his uncle, Soun Gyu Hwang, head of the Pusan Police Force. His uncle required no less than constant and intensive practice from his pupil.
In 1945Jack Hwang entered the Yun Moo Kwan School in Pusan, where he found that hea had a natural ability that was matched by an avid devotion. Jack not only got to test his skill in the training hall of the Yun Moo Kwan, but on the streets of Pusan as well. "It was impossible to go out on the street without getting into a fight. Everyone wanted to prove something. Besides, there were a lot of tough kids on the streets during that time. Karate wasn't just pastime; it was a means of staying alive." Jack recalled.
From 1950 through 1955, Jack Hwang found himself using his fighting skills again as a way of life in the Army of the Republic of South Korea, where through his distinguished service he achieved the rank of Captain.
Immigrating to the United States in 1957, Jack Hwang sought a new life from his war torn native land, hoping to leave fighting behind him. He had a great love for martial arts, but he had seen and experienced enough fighting for many lifetimes.
Having graduated from Pusan University with a degree from its School of Law, when he arrived in the United States he enrolled at Wisconsin State College where he attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology. He continued his education at Sam Houston College in Huntsville, Texas where he earned his Master's Degree in criminology. He also pursued additional graduate studies at the Doctoral level at the University of Oklahoma. Jack Hwang became a U.S. Citizen in 1968.
Jack had hoped to initially become a school teacher in the U.S., but his English was not good enough. In need of a way of earning a living for himself and his family he turned again to Martial Arts, and it became his life's occupation.
Jack Hwang not only teaches in his Institute of Karate in Oklahoma City, but has taught at five colleges and four police departments.
Jack Hwang did have a short lived tournament career. He tried several tournaments in 1964 and 1965 but was always disqualified. He admits the disqualifications were justified. His years of fighting on the streets and in the war had trained his reflexes for real combat, not sport. "Reflexes just don't change that easily and the streets of Pusan and the Korean War made them too good," he reflected.
Jack Hwang chooses to think of himself as a sensei, a teacher, not a competitor. "I am happy to teach the younger ones and see them go on to become champions," he says with pride. And there can be no question that Jack Hwang was a trainer and teacher of Champions. Besides his own students, karate greats such as Mike Stone, Roger Carpenter and Guy Poos all sought out Jack's instruction and guidance. Even karate and film legend Bruce Lee studied kicking technique under the instruction of Jack Hwang.
In addition to teaching some of the finest competitors to come out of the southwest,Jack Hwang also promoted the All American Open Karate Championships in Oklahoma City. This tournament attracted the top karate talent in the U.S. and was not a "soft" tournament, but a no nonsense competition in the true Blood and Guts tradition.
At 67 years of age in 1999, Jack Hwang has slowed down a bit, the result of injuries received in real fights in his past, but continues to teach Martial Arts in Oklahoma City in a very large and successful school. His students have sprung up schools all over the country, even into Mexico, and carry on the heritage of true Blood and Guts martial art that Jack passed on to them. He is a real gentleman and scholar in the martial arts world. He is always willing to share his knowledge and experience with anyone who comes seeking it.
Jack Hwang is truly a Southwest Karate pioneer and U.S. karate pioneer, one whose influence has greatly benefitted the growth and development of karate and Tae Kwon Do in the United States. He holds the admiration of many of the early U.S. karate scenes finest including Allen Steen and David Moon. "American karate is a style all its own, which I think is a wonderful thing for the art. Times change and karate should change with them. Just because someone did something 2,000 years ago doesn't mean that it has to continue the same way today. The better fighters are adapting the best ideas from different styles. And with typical American curiosity, they are creating new styles. Soon there will be "American karate" for this country. All others will become minor ones here, if not existent." (Jack Hwang in an interview in 1969)
Jack
Hwang, Teacher, Pioneer, Prophet.
copyright 1999 by Charles G. Bouton, all rights reserved