About
Run by partners Master Mel Johnson (5th Degree Black Belt) and GrandMaster Nils Onsager (8th Degree Black Belt), Black Knight Martial Arts Australia is the newest location in the Black Knight family, started over 20 years ago in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
With schools in India, USA, and now Australia, Ms Mel and GM Onsager will continue to help students on their Hapkido journey, ensuring a safe but challenging environment for all those who train.
Owner/Director - Ms Mel Johnson
Master Mel is a 5th degree black belt (Hapkido). She began taking Hapkido while in the United States attending university. After uni, Ms Mel trained and eventually worked with her partner Grandmaster Nils Onsager at Black Knight Martial Arts in Atlanta. While work and family kept Ms Mel in the US for 27 years, she has returned to Australia once again.
With a passion for teaching, and an overwhelming desire to see her students succeed, Ms Mel can't wait to welcome you onto our mats!
Head Instructor - Grandmaster Nils Onsager
GM Onsager is an 8th degree black belt in Hapkido, a lifelong journey that began in 1984 at the Georgia Tech university Hapkido club in Atlanta, USA. After achieving his 2nd degree black belt, the club was given over to GM Onsager to run, which he has managed ever since. In 2003, the GM expanded beyond the uni students and opened Black Knight Martial Arts USA, teaching Hapkido to youth, teens, and other adults. BKMA turned into an incredible resource for the community, with students continuing to excel and succeed to this day.
With the opening of Black Knight Martial Arts Australia, GM Onsager brings almost 40 years of knowledge, skill, and passion for Hapkido to the Gold Coast.
Lineage
Black Knight Martial Arts is part of the US Hapkido Association, which was founded by Grandmaster Kie-Duk Lee (9th Degree Hapkido/9th Degree Tae-Kwon Do Black Belt). GM Lee was a student of Hapkido founder Grandmaster Choi Yong Sool, and a contemporary of Grandmasters Ji-Han Jae, Byung Kyu Park, and Bon So Han in the original Hapkido classes.
After serving in the Korean army and secret service, GM Lee emigrated to the United States in 1972 and founded the US Hapkido Association. Over the years he also ran several US based Hapkido schools, including Lee’s Martial Arts in Bloomington, Indiana.
After his passing in 2018, Grandmaster Eric Richards, one of GM Lee’s Indiana students, took over the US Hapkido Association and runs it to this day. It is under GM Richards that our head instructor, Nils Onsager, earned his own Grandmaster rank (7th Degree Black Belt).
Although Australia does have its own well respected Hapkido associations, Black Knight Martial Arts Australia is proud to continue its loyalty to the US Hapkido Association. Students can be assured of the quality and traditions that this lineage brings with it.
