Senior Master Frank Croaro

Senior Master/Instructor Frank Croaro is a 7th degree black belt in the art of Sinmoo
Hapkido. He trained directly under Do Ju Nim (Grand Master) Ji, Han Jae since 1986,
and is a first generation senior student in Sinmoo Hapkido. One of the few true pioneers in this art, he started and completed his training by enrolling in a traditional instructor’s course. The instructor’s course consisted of 5 days per week, 3 to 4 hours per day, of intense training directed by Do Ju Nim. When the course was completed in 1989, he was rewarded with his 2nd degree black belt. Of all Do Ju Nim’s senior students, he has the honor of now being the longest consistent Sinmoo Hapkido practitioner to date.

Since 1989, Master Croaro has shared his knowledge and taught seminars at the World Sinmoo Hapkido Headquarters, where martial arts masters in the USA and throughout the world have been trained and promoted. In addition, he trained Police Officers, Sheriff Deputies, and members of the armed forces.

His qualifications include “Ki” Power development and stress management (meditation), basic and special kicks, hand techniques, joint locks, pressure points, throws and strikes. He also specializes in weapons training using the cane, staff, short stick, sword and knife techniques.

Master Croaro was honored in Seoul, Korea in 2002 by Do Ju Nim Ji, Han
Jae and Dr. Lo, Young-chul (Grandmaster Lo) at the World Hapkido Master Convention held at the Olympic Center. He was nominated as one of twelve world Vice Presidents representing Sinmoo Hapkido throughout the world and is the representative for the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. Also two time inductee into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2007 and 2009 as Hapkido Master of the Year.

Never having taken any other martial arts, Master Croaro developed an intense passion for the art at the beginning of his training. Years later, a Korean Buddhist Monk friend and Master Yung Freda recognized this passion and honored him with a Korean martial arts name for his strong belief in the mind, body and spirit philosophy.

In 2007 Master Croaro organized a meeting in San Francisco, California with a group of senior students. From this meeting, the Sinmoo Hapkido Legacy Group was founded. A cohesive group whose philosophy is directed toward teaching, camaraderie, and spreading goodwill throughout the world.