Grandmaster Wonik Yi
9th Degree Black Belt — Creator of Tukong Moosul — 1979 World Champion
ALifeDedicatedtotheWarrior'sPath
Grandmaster Wonik Yi is one of the most remarkable figures in modern martial arts history. Born into a distinguished martial lineage — his great-grandfather Master Kiwan Yi was a World Judo Champion and the last Shogun for the Korean Emperor — Yi's path was set from birth.
At age five, he was sent to live and train at the Dae Yeon Sa Temple — an ancient Buddhist temple hidden in the mountains of Korea, where warrior monk traditions had been preserved for over 800 years. Under the guidance of the legendary Master Eun Kwang Bup Sa, Yi spent fourteen years mastering an ancient martial art that had never been given a formal name — passed purely through direct transmission.
When Yi left the temple, he entered the South Korean Special Forces. General Chang Ki Oh recognized his extraordinary abilities and enlisted him to create a comprehensive combat system for the elite Tu Kong commando unit. In February 1978, Tukong Moosul was born. By 1980, over 300,000 soldiers were training in his system annually.
In 1979, he proved the art's effectiveness by winning the World Martial Arts Tournament Championship. In 1982, he brought Tukong Moosul to America. He holds a 9th Degree Black Belt — the highest rank, granted by Master Eun Kwang Bup Sa himself before his passing in 1996 — and a Doctorate in Education.
TukongMoosulinAction
TheJourneyofaGrandmaster
Born into a Martial Legacy
Wonik Yi is born in South Korea into a distinguished martial arts lineage. His great-grandfather, Master Kiwan Yi, was a World Judo Champion, the last Shogun for the Korean Emperor, and a Korean State Governor. His grandfather, Master Jayoung Yi, established the first Yun Moo Kwan Judo School in Korea.
Enters Dae Yeon Sa Temple
At just five years old, young Wonik Yi enters the ancient Dae Yeon Sa (Great Achievement Temple) in the mountains of Korea. He begins training under the legendary Master Eun Kwang Bup Sa (1895–1996), the temple headmaster, learning an 800-year-old martial tradition passed only through direct transmission.
Fourteen Years of Temple Training
For fourteen years, Yi lives and trains at Dae Yeon Sa, mastering the temple's unnamed martial art — a fusion of hard and soft, linear and circular techniques blended from Korean and Chinese Buddhist traditions. He studies striking, kicking, throwing, weapons, pressure points, Ki Kong energy cultivation, Ip Sun (internal martial art), and deep meditative practice.
Creation of Tukong Moosul
After completing his temple training, Yi enters the South Korean Special Forces — the elite Tu Kong (특공) commando unit. General Chang Ki Oh, recognizing Yi's extraordinary abilities, enlists him from army headquarters to create a comprehensive combat system. In February 1978, Tukong Moosul (특공무술) is born — fusing 800 years of temple tradition with modern military combat science. By 1980, the Korean Military 26th Division becomes the "Tukong Division" and most divisions adopt his system.
World Champion
Grandmaster Yi wins the World Martial Arts Tournament Championship, proving the devastating effectiveness of Tukong Moosul against the world's best fighters in live competition.
Journey to America
Grandmaster Yi brings Tukong Moosul to the United States, establishing the first American school and beginning the global expansion of the art. He dedicates himself to teaching both the martial and philosophical aspects of the complete system.
World Federation Founded
The World Tukong Moosul Federation holds its inaugural founding meeting. General Chang Ki Oh himself travels from Korea to serve as the first president, cementing the art's legitimacy and international mission.
Hollywood & Film
Grandmaster Yi works on the film Sin City alongside directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, training actress Devon Aoki in martial arts stunts. He founds the Fighting Stunts Association and Action Film Institute, bringing authentic martial arts to the film industry.
A Living Legacy
Today, over 300,000 South Korean military and reserve soldiers train annually in Grandmaster Yi's system. He continues to teach and preserve the complete art of Tukong Moosul at the Tiger Mountain Center, holding a 9th Degree Black Belt (granted by Master Eun Kwang Bup Sa before his passing in 1996) and a Doctorate in Education. His life's mission remains: preserving the total philosophy of mind, body, and spirit for future generations.
Honors&Recognition
9th Degree Black Belt
The highest rank in martial arts, granted by Master Eun Kwang Bup Sa
1979 World Champion
World Martial Arts Tournament Championship winner
Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Complete Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Sin City (2005)
Fight choreographer for Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's film
Fighting Stunts Association
Founder of the Fighting Stunts Association and Action Film Institute
Doctorate in Education
Earned a Doctorate degree, combining academic rigor with martial wisdom
"When mind and body are focused in one direction, you will accomplish your ambition."
정신일도 하사불성 — Jeong Shin Il Do, Ha Sa Bul Sung