Altoona Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1109 9th Ave, Ste 2, Altoona, PA 16602, US

Altoona Area's Oldest Traditional Martial Arts Facility. Established 1979 Pennsylvania's Only Jin Pal Hapkido Federation and Yamasaki Academy Affiliate Grandmaster Jin Pal Kim possesses a martial arts resume that would be admired by even the most accomplished of martial arts masters. He began his training in 1953, at the age of twelve, in Taegu, Korea. His initial training was in Tae Kwon Do, which was known as Karate during this period of time. He trained with Master Koo, under whom he attained his Black Belt. He also had the opportunity to train in the arts of Kendo and Judo. However, when he moved to Seoul, Korea, is when he honed his skills under the tutelage of Grand Master Ji Han Jae, the modern day founder of Hapkido. Grand Master Kim's natural ability and dedication allowed him to reach the rank of Ninth Degree Black Belt under Grand Master Jae. His subsequent graduation from the military police academy led him to be selected to instruct at the Blue House, the Korean equivalent to the White House, where he trained all the presidential body guards. He became one of a select group of body guards for Korean President Park. In 1965 he was assigned to the Military Special Investigations Divisions in Viet Nam which enabled him to introduce Hapkido to the Vietnamese. Later, in 1970, after his release from the military, Grand Master Kim was granted permission to instruct Hapkido in Hong Kong. He opened a successful Do-jang and was the first to introduce Hapkido in Hong Kong. His reputation spread throughout Hong Kong and he was approached by many actors requesting instruction in the ways of Hapkido, including Jackie Chan, Carter Wong, Angela Mao, and Samu Hung. After appearing on Hong Kong television, he was signed to a motion picture corporation which produced eight martial arts films with Jin Pal Kim as the lead actor. He also spent some time in the late seventies in Bahrain at the invitation of the Crown Prince teaching Hapkido at the presidential palace. In 1982, he moved to the United States and opened a successful Hapkido Do-jang, where he taught U.S. Marines and U.S. SWAT teams. In 1993 he moved to Washington, D.C. and again established a successful Hapkido practice which continues to flourish today. GRANDMASTER JIN PAL KIM ...Mr. G. Thomas Kattouf has been the Director of the Academy of Martial Arts since establishing it in 1979. He has had the honor of training with many Korean Masters.Grandmaster Jin Pal Kim became Mr. Kattouf's instructor and mentor in recent years. Grandmaster Kim has bestowed the honor of making Mr. Kattouf's do-jang (school) the only Jin Pal Hapkido Federation affiliate in PA. Mr. Kattouf has instructed thousands of students during his career. He has promoted a multitude of Black Belts; many of whom serve as instructors within the Academy. Mr. Kattouf is currently ranked in Brazilian Jiujitsu. He and many of the black belts receive instruction from the prestigious Yamasaki Academy under the direction of Francisco Neto. Mr. Kattouf holds a Master's Degree in Education and has been involved in the field of education since 1975. His experience and knowledge ensure that students will be educated using researched based instructional principles. He believes all students can be successful if provided with the repetition and structure necessary to meet individual needs. Mr. Kattouf is the USPLA Pennsylvania State Powerlifting Champion for 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 in the 220 lb Masters II Division. He currently holds the PA record in the 55-59 age division in the Squat, Deadlift and Total pounds lifted. "What do you expect for someone my age? ...Excellence!" Mr. Kattouf.