World Federation President
Official message and biography of Grandmaster Şükrü Kınataş, Founder and World President of the World All Hapkido Association (WAHA), the supreme international governing body for traditional Hapkido.
World President's Official Message
Traditional Korean martial art Hapkido is not merely a system of physical self-defense techniques. Rooted in ancient Eastern philosophy, this noble discipline unites tranquility of mind, agility of body, and harmony of spirit into an honorable way of living.
As the World All Hapkido Association (WAHA), our foundational mission is to preserve, develop, and promote this art across the globe without compromising its technical excellence, traditional discipline, and highest moral ethics.
Today, united across more than 40 member nations with hundreds of accredited dojangs and tens of thousands of licensed practitioners, we stand as an international family. Every accredited dojang, authenticated Dan certification, and licensed master instructor represents our dedication to universal standards, mutual respect, and lifelong brotherhood.
My message to all practitioners and future masters is to carry the discipline of the dojang into every facet of life, to practice humility in all endeavors, and to dedicate one's strength to the service of peace, justice, and humanity.
Biography & International Career
Grandmaster Şükrü Kınataş began his martial arts journey nearly five decades ago, dedicating his life to the mastery, technical depth, and philosophical foundation of traditional Korean martial arts including Hapkido, Taekwondo, and Hosinsul.
Through decades of relentless training, international master credentials, and distinguished contributions to the global martial arts community, he attained the supreme rank of 10th Dan Grandmaster.
Driven by the vision to unite traditional Hapkido practitioners under universal technical standards, authenticated Dan certification, and high ethical principles, he founded the World All Hapkido Association (WAHA). Under his lifelong leadership as Founder & World President, WAHA has expanded across more than 40 member nations throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Having personally conducted hundreds of international master clinics, Dan examinations, and referee certification courses across the globe, Grandmaster Şükrü Kınataş is also the visionary behind the Federex digital verification and federation infrastructure. He continues to inspire generations of martial artists worldwide as the supreme leader of WAHA.
Nearly half a century of technical mastery and instruction in Hapkido, Taekwondo, and Hosinsul.
The supreme rank and highest mastery level in traditional martial arts.
Global vision uniting over 40 member nations across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East.
Authenticated global Dan registry powered by modern multi-tenant verification infrastructure.
The 4 Foundational Pillars of Traditional Hapkido
Redirecting opposing momentum through natural circular motion to gain absolute control without colliding force against force.
Fluid adaptability and softness that flows around resistance, yet carries unstoppable power when directed.
Harmonizing mind, physical body, and internal energy (Ki) to neutralize conflict into peaceful resolution.
The lifelong pursuit of humility, justice, respect, and selfless dedication to the betterment of humanity.