Local Owner of Sinclair's KMA Dojo Earns Master Rank

This coming January will be the 34th year that Master Merrill Sinclair, Head Instructor and Owner of Sinclair’s Kyuki-Do Martial Arts in Dallas, Ga, has been practicing martial art

In 2003, at the request of Grand Master OK Hyung Kim, Master Sinclair opened a school in West Chicago, IL not far from the Kyuki-do headquarters. Master Sinclair moved to Acworth, GA in 2006 and opened his current Dojang in February of 2012 a few years after starting a program at the local YMCA.

“Kyuki-Do is a rounded art that incorporates the teachings of Tae-Kwon-Do, Hapki-Do, Judo, and Jiu-Jitsu. We also practice techniques from Muay Tai and Boxing, as well as various weapons. What makes Kyuki-do different is that most other styles focus on one specific art,” says Master Sinclair.

Sinclair believes that martial arts can be for anyone. “We serve all types of people who are interested in learning the art of Kyuki-Do. We are willing to start them as early as 3.5 years old. Whether it’s fitness and self defense, or focus and discipline, martial arts can deliver many benefits to many different people,” says Sinclair.

Sinclairs KMA is accredited through the American Kyuki-do Federation which was established by Grand Master Kim. “Master Kim came to the U.S in 1967 and taught Tae-Kwon-Do, Hapki-Do, and Judo as separate disciplines. Then Jiu-Jitsu started becoming popular in the mid 1970’s and was added. Grand Master Kim and his instructors had a vision to create an overall, well rounded style that took the best of the disciplines they studied. In 1979 The American Kyuki-Do Federation was founded in Elgin, IL. The AKF is our governing body. They certify our training and our promotions,” says Sinclair.

Master Sinclair recently achieved the rank of 5th Dan (degree) Master in Kyuki-Do at the Black Belt Extravaganza in Wisconsin. “It is our annual fall Black Belt Promotion test and is held the first weekend in November. All Students are invited to attend the seminars, and their family members are invited to watch the Black belt test and graduation ceremony. We usually have about 100 students from all over the country come in to test for their Black Belt along with about 250 students and family who come for the seminars or to watch,” says Sinclair.

Master Sinclair says that the experience has had a powerful impact on his craft. “As you move up in your rank, there is more time between the tests and it’s easy to get soft. Having my last test ten years ago, I had to increase my training intensity over the last year so that I would be ready for a 4 hour test. Even with that extra training there were times where I thought I wasn’t going to have the stamina to finish. That experience has renewed my appreciation for the work my students put into preparing for their tests,” says Sinclair.

He also believes that his students will benefit greatly from his new rank. “As a Master, I hope that they will see by my example that this is a lifestyle that can complement and enhance whatever they want to become in life. Plus, since my promotion is so recent, it’s pretty fun to see the look on their faces when they forget to call me Master Sinclair!” He says.