Sanko Lewis (Ph.D)

Artist / Lecturer / Writer / Editor / Martial Artist / Model / Graphic Designer / Philosopher

Martial Arts

I completed a PhD in Taekwondo at Kyunghee University (Korea's premier university for Taekwondo studies). My focus was martial arts and Oriental philosophy. In particular, I researched the ethics of war and self-defence in Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Mohism, Bushido and Shinto. (You can read more about my academic career on the Academic-page).

I have around 25 years of martial art experience and have been teaching for around two decades. Although I have a broad exposure to the martial arts, my speciality is in the Korean martial arts in which I have a 5th Dan in ITF Taekwon-Do, a 4th Dan in Hapkido (with master's certification from the Korea Hapkido Federation), and formal experience in Yusul (Korean jujitsu) and Taekkyeon. 

Korea:

I teach ITF Taekwon-Do and Hapkido in Seoul, Korea, and also provide workshops in traditional Korean martial arts and give lectures and seminars about martial arts, martial arts philosophy, and traditional Korean body culture. I'm also the chief coordinator for the Seoul Martial Arts Circle, a meetup-group that encourages cross-training and introduces people to different martial arts. 

For some time I acted as the 'International Relations Officer / Cultural Liasion Officer' (국제 교류 위원) for ITF-Korea.

South Africa:

I've worked in executive positions for martial arts national governing bodies in South Africa since 2003. Currently, I'm an executive member of a national governing body for ITF Taekwon-Do in South Africa, known as the South Africa Taekwon-Do Institute  (SATI), in the capacity of Constitutional Director, Research Director, and International Liasion Officer. 

I'm also head (kwanjang) of the Soo Shim Kwan, a federation affiliated with SATI. 

I'm furthermore, the South African representative for the Korea Hapkido Federation

In 2011, I received an honourable mention ("citation") from the Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame for my research work. 

Other:

I am a contributor to Totally Tae Kwon Do Magazine and other magazines (such as Korea Magazine), and also maintain a martial art blog

I furthermore give martial art and self-defence seminars / workshops, as well as lectures on martial arts and East Asian philosophy as it relates to the martial arts. 

Feel free to contact me if you would like to invite me for seminars, workshops or special lectures. Private lessons are also a possibilitiy.