About IWA

As an Independent Organization for the modern style of WonHwaDo, our aim is to deliver high standard curriculum to our clubs and our online training members around the world.

Grandmaster Dorim Kim established ‘International WonHwaDo Academy’ in Ireland in 2002 and it has been developing since.

Grandmaster Kim has completed his own system based on his 10 years of teaching experience in Europe since 1999 and also his knowledge & skill from his training & teaching experience with grandmaster Han, when he was in Korea.

Old WHD style and new IWA WHD style have some different aspects in the practical applications of belts & grading system, uniforms, curriculum, etc. However, they have the same origin.
Our highly skilled instructors will guide you to become a great achiever internally and externally through WonHwaDo, authentic dynamic circular martial art that originally comes from the homeland of Korea.
We also provide a learner friendly self-training online programme that has easy step-by-step video training systems for anyone around the globe who wishes to learn WHD and apply IWA system to their own teaching environments.

What does WonHwaDo mean?

Won means ‘circle’, Hwa means ‘harmony’ and Do means ‘ the way’. So, the fundamental WHD teaching is ‘To create a circular way of harmonious living.’ The basis of the art lies in circular motion, effectively making use of full 360 degree rotations of key joints of the body. This serves to conserve energy and reduce the risk of injury caused by forced linear action.

Also dynamic throwing techniques, joint locks, kicks, punches are freely expressed based on the circular motions of hands, legs and the whole body.

The fundamental life force in WHD is a simple circular motion which is very practical and easy to apply. One can create various techniques applying this simple motion to use in reality of life.

Based on people’s interest in various aspects of WHD, one can become a gentle Instructor who can teach people a circular way of life as well as practical self-defense skills, or a tough fighter who can be seen effectively, on the MMA fighting grounds.

Why Global Network?

WHD was practiced by a few people in the past around the world. Their footprints are still there through those who still love practicing WHD even though there are not many students to teach or instructors to learn from.

After Great Grandmaster Han passed away in early 2010, Grandmaster Kim thinks that now is the time for all of those who still love WHD to come together under one brand in order to develop and strengthen the art around the globe.

IWA Global Network was found by Grandmaster Kim with this aim and welcomes anybody who wishes to sweat together to develop WHD under the same burning desire and love for WHD.