The Mountain Setting: Azrou, A Perfect Start
Choosing the Atlas Mountains for Our First Station
For this important first stage, Azrou was chosen for its stunning natural beauty and tranquil mountainous environment in the heart of the Middle Atlas. The location offered more than just space; it provided a powerful energy, peace, and inspiration that deeply aligned with the Haidong Gumdo spirit. Amid dense forests, fresh air, and mountain paths, practitioners could move, breathe, and train with clarity and purpose. Practicing martial arts in such a setting gave participants a renewed connection with nature and the original essence of swordsmanship, one that is not just physical but spiritual and philosophical. This harmonious setting allowed every practitioner to feel more grounded, more focused, and more in tune with their surroundings and with themselves.
Camp Activities – One With Nature and Sword
Immersive physical and spiritual training in harmony with the environment.
The two-day training camp was filled with enriching and dynamic sessions that pushed the boundaries of physical skill and mental strength. Practitioners trained in Haidong Gumdo’s basic movements and Gumbub, focusing on technical precision and flow, while also dedicating time to meditative practices that deepened their concentration and calm. The camp included powerful conditioning exercises that helped build endurance and control, and practitioners also engaged in water cutting and tree cutting training, both highly symbolic and demanding forms that connect sword technique with the natural environment. These activities allowed everyone to explore the full range of Haidong Gumdo, blending external action with internal awareness. The camp was not just a training experience; it was a journey into self-discipline, harmony, and martial excellence.
BREATHING AND TRAINING WITH NATURE
Launching the Moroccan Haidong Gumdo Open Tour 2025 in the Heart of Nature
Every journey has a moment that defines its spirit. For the Moroccan Haidong Gumdo Open Tour 2025, that moment began in the stillness of the mountains above Azrou , where pine trees stand tall, clouds drift across ancient skies, and the quiet power of nature offers more than beauty; it offers perspective. This was not simply the first stop of a tour, but a conscious decision to begin a new chapter in the story of Haidong Gumdo in Morocco. One that steps away from the conventional, away from walls and mats, and toward something more meaningful, toward the origin of martial intention.
Martial arts did not begin under neon lights or tournament spotlights. They were born in places like this: in the mountains, on dirt paths, in solitude, and in stillness. They were shaped by the rhythm of seasons, by silence, by the challenges of nature. This camp was a return to that origin. The mountains of Azrou became more than a backdrop, they became a mirror for every practitioner present. Each breath drawn in the cold morning air, each step taken on uneven forest ground, was a step inward.
This introduction to the 2025 Open Tour wasn’t designed to impress, it was designed to ground. In a world where speed and spectacle often overshadow substance, Haidong Gumdo reminds us that clarity comes from simplicity, and strength from presence. The sword is not only a tool of discipline, it is a path of awakening. To draw it in a place untouched by distraction is to remember why we train in the first place: not just to fight, but to transform.
Choosing to start in nature also speaks to a deeper message: Haidong Gumdo is not a practice meant to be contained. It flows, it breathes, and it adapts. It has the power to build bridges, not only between Korea and Morocco, but between the outer world and the inner self. As the tour unfolds across the country, it will carry this seed planted in Azrou, this idea that the art lives wherever we bring it with full awareness.
And so, the mountain greeted the sword. The earth accepted each stance. The wind carried the rhythm of the blade. This was more than a beginning, it was a quiet revolution. And from here, the path continues.
Honoring a True Martial Artist Mr. Fadili Abderrazzak
Among the highlights of the camp was the participation of Mr. Fadili Abderrazzak, a respected martial artist and the national technical director of Kenpo Fighting. With over 33 years of experience in martial arts, including Karate Kik Kodo, and having opened his first club in 2012, Mr. Fadili brought a deep well of knowledge, humility, and passion to the event. Since 2020, he has also been a dedicated practitioner of Haidong Gumdo, and from 2021 to today, he has continued to deepen his understanding of the art through advanced training. During the camp, he took part in a comprehensive technical and theoretical session that focused on the etiquette and core philosophy of Haidong Gumdo, the dynamics and deeper purpose of its forms, and the mental and physical benefits that come from regular, mindful practice. His presence and willingness to keep learning despite decades of experience stood as a shining example of the martial way. His humility, respect, and spirit of continuous growth reminded everyone that in martial arts, the path never truly ends, it evolves.
Where the journey begins in silence and strength
“ The sword does not seek conflict, it seeks clarity. In the stillness of the mountain, we do not train to fight the world, but to understand ourselves ”
A Word for the Absent – Safety First
While the camp was a memorable and powerful experience for those who attended, we also want to acknowledge those who had planned to join but were unable to make it due to difficult weather conditions and heavy rain. Their choice to prioritize safety and avoid unnecessary risks is deeply respected. In the martial arts world, knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to push forward. Though their presence was missed on the mountain, their support and spirit remained with us. This tour will continue, and there will be many more opportunities to train, grow, and connect. We look forward to welcoming them in future stages of the Moroccan Haidong Gumdo Open Tour 2025, under clear skies and in safer conditions, where the sword and the soul can once again unite in the spirit of the art.
Voices of the Sword
AZROU CITY
10/11-05-2025
RABAT CITY
09-06-2024
OUJDA CITY
30-06-2024
AGADIR CITY
14-07-2024
MARRAKECH CITY
28-07-2024
Reflections, experiences, and stories from the heart of the Haidong Gumdo journey
INSTRUCTOR Benyahi Hamid
AL AHBAB DOJANG
Words of Gratitude Honoring Those Behind the Scenes
A successful event is always the result of collective effort, and this camp was no exception. We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who helped organize and support this first stage of the Moroccan Haidong Gumdo Open Tour. From logistical support to behind-the-scenes preparation, every contribution was essential in making this experience meaningful and smooth for all. In particular, we wish to recognize Instructor Benyahi Hamid, who traveled over 758 kilometers from Ait Melloul to attend this camp. His dedication is truly admirable. With over 40 years of continuous martial arts practice, especially in Taekwondo, Instructor Hamid embodies the true spirit of discipline and perseverance. A man whose life has been shaped by sports, he continues to lead by example, always present, always committed, and always inspiring. His journey to join us was not just physical but symbolic of the deep commitment martial artists carry in their hearts.
Be part of the Adventure
