Master Betty Chungsanim

Chungsanim Master Betty (she/her/hers) is a native of NYC, and has been training under SaBumNim Grandmaster David Herbert at the World Martial Arts Center since 1997. Betty currently holds the rank of 4th Dan in HapKiDo, one of only 3 women who’ve attained that rank under Grandmaster Herbert. She has also trained in Wing Chun, Shaolin Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, and Kumdo (Korean Sword). Sze holds the rank of 3rd Dan under Soke John Davis/Professor Dominick Brioché in Kumite Ryu Jujitsu. A 3 year stint as a personal trainer studying directly under a former Mr. America; 2 years as a kickboxing instructor at the local YWCA with at risk teen girls; her completion of a 200 hour teacher training with a world renowned Yoga school, and doing a weekly guided virtual meditation for her martial arts school as well as teaching over 150 virtual martial arts classes during the 2020 pandemic, has rounded out her practice. In 2018, she was awarded a citation by the Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for her contributions to the Brooklyn community. Also in 2018, she was invited to be on the board of the LS Women’s Martial Arts Network. One of her proudest moments as a mother, was seeing her 14 year old daughter receive her black belt in Hapkido. As a breast cancer survivor and advocate for social justice, civil rights and women’s empowerment, Sze believes martial arts, with an emphasis on the Mind-Body-Spirit connection, is the gateway to achieving true health and happiness for all people, young and old.