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Biography

Master Duane Simpson is a 5th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido, 3rd Degree Black Belt in Goshin Jujitsu, 2nd Degree Black Belt Tri O Ryu Jujitsu, and 2nd Degree Black Belt Tang Soo Do. He started his Martial Arts career in 1983 with Instructor Michael LeBlanc, in Tang Soo Do from The Gonzales Karate Club in Prairieville, La. earning his 1st degree black belt in 1987. He enlisted in the US Army Signal Corps in 1988, during the last years of the Cold War and the first Gulf War receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1993.

After receiving his discharge from the Army, he sought employment in the civilian world. In 1993 he began work as a Correctional Officer and worked part time as a General Manager/Firearms Instructor at an indoor shooting facility, where he found the need to find a more practical means of self-defense training which introduced him to the wonderful world of the Korean Martial Art HAPKIDO. He began training with Master Paul Johnson Sr. with one-on-one classes earning his 1st degree black belt in Hapkido in 2001.

In 2002 he enlisted in the US Air Force as a Munitions Specialist after the horrible events of 9-11-2001. He served in supporting “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and “Operation Enduring Freedom” until 2011 after which he received another Honorable Discharge.

While stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana he began training with Grand Master Robert Fatheree Jujitsu an 8th Degree Black Belt. Master Duane is currently training in both Goshin and Tri O Ryu Jujitsu working towards further advancement in Jujitsu.

Master Duane taught both Hapkido & Tang Soo Do and was part owner of Tiger Martial Arts, LLC in Prairieville, La. from Dec 2010 through September 2018. He started D.M. Simpson Hapkido, LLC in 2019 in Mississippi as a small business owner and is now currently teaching Hapkido in Meadville, Ms.

Master Duane is also currently working on further advancement in Hapkido through the United States Korean Martial Arts Federation where he has been a member since 2011 (President Grand Master Dexter Mangum Hapkido 9th Degree Black Belt)

Master Duane trains in many different martial arts styles and in his humble opinion Hapkido offers the unarmed self-defense options that other styles of Martial Arts do not have. Hapkido is very much relevant for our time and the situations one could face every day or that once in a lifetime encounter.

Hapkido is the most complete martial art for me for a few reasons. It is the most complete Martial Art that I get better in as I age. Many martial arts you become limited as you age in the practice of it. This is not so much the case in Hapkido. Hapkido is not how strong, big, or old you are it is mainly about you.

Does strength matter in the practice of it? Not really. Strength is an asset and a tool just like anything else, but one day you will not have it to fall back on. Hapkido, if taught properly is about proper movement and knowledge on how the body works. Anyone can muscle a technique, but technique mastery does not happen with strength. We all age and our strength changes with age.

What is a complete Martial art? Martial Arts like Hapkido are complete simply by covering all 3 areas of fighting, where most systems only cover 1 to 2 areas.

A fighting system that covers close in (Hands on and ground), stand up (Kicking and hand strikes), and weapons in my opinion is more complete. All Martial Arts specialize on an area and I would have to say that the wrist is Hapkido’s bread and butter, but we cover most everything else under the sun pending on the Instructor or Master.

Why Hapkido?

D.M. SIMPSON HAPKIDO LINEAGE

It matters who we train with in Hapkido and other martial arts.

The water is purest closest to the source.

1. Choi Yong Sool (Founder)

2. Won Kwang Wha

3. Dr. He-Young Kimm 10th Dan

(Founder of Han Mu Do)

4. JR West "Chief" 9th Dan Grand Master "RIP 1944-2025"

(Founder of West Hapkido & United States Korean Martial Arts Federation)

5. Dexter Mangum Hapkido 9th Dan Grand Master

(President of United States Korean Martial Arts Federation HQ Jackson, Ms.)