From Kuchil Baxal to Cancun Open: Three Decades of Hapkido in Quintana Roo

Cancun, Quintana Roo — What began as a small group of martial arts enthusiasts in the 1990s has become one of Quintana Roo’s most significant sports movements. As the 30th anniversary of Hapkido in Cancun approaches, along with a new edition of the Cancun Open, founder Ivan Campos Sanders recalls the early days of a discipline that carved its place in the state.

“When I arrived in Cancun in the mid-1990s, Hapkido was practically unknown in the city. We started with few students, lots of enthusiasm, and the dream of sharing a martial art that not only teaches self-defense but also builds character,” he said.

The growth of martial arts in Quintana Roo gained momentum in 1998 with the creation of the Union of Martial Arts (UDAM), an organization formed by masters including Ismael Sacramento, Nibardo Sanchez, Wilbert Caamal, Eduardo Ramirez, and Ivan Campos Sanders. They joined forces to promote interaction and competition among different disciplines.

The iconic Kuchil Baxal gym became the venue for the first open tournaments, where athletes from various schools began sharing experiences and raising the competitive level of martial arts in the state.

As those events gained recognition, Hapkido continued to consolidate. In 1999, Campos graduated the first generation of black belts trained in Cancun. Several of them — including Raymundo Cruz, Eduardo Nunez, Carlos Sandoval, and Carlos Reyes — went on to become instructors and found new academies.

The expansion of martial arts in the state was not limited to Hapkido. During those years, disciplines such as Taekwondo, Lima Lama, and Jiu-Jitsu also grew, driven by renowned masters who contributed to Quintana Roo’s sports development.

Over time, those early tournaments at Kuchil Baxal evolved into the Cancun Open, a competition that now draws participants from across Mexico and abroad.

For Campos, the growth achieved is the result of years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. “Seeing how much Hapkido has grown in Quintana Roo fills me with pride,” he said.

The upcoming Pan American Hapkido Championship and Martial Arts Open will hold special significance for the martial arts community, serving not only as a competition but also as a celebration of three decades of history, a tribute to those who championed the discipline from its beginnings, and an inspiration for new generations to continue building this legacy.

Nearly 30 years after its arrival in Cancun, Hapkido remains one of the fastest-growing disciplines in the region, solidifying a sports community born from a dream that is now part of Quintana Roo’s martial arts history.