What is Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and is also the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means to strike or break with foot, kwon means to strike or break with fist; and do means way, method, or art. Thus, Taekwondo may be loosely translated as the art of the foot and fist or the art of kicking and punching.
Taekwondo emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). Taekwondo training generally combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport and exercise and includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.
The International Olympic Committee recognized the World Taekwondo Federation and Taekwondo sparring in 1980.
Taekwondo made it's debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympic games
the following year Taekwondo was reported to be the world's most popular martial art.
Kyorugi (sparring) has been an Olympic event since 2000.
To the korean people Taekwondo is more than merely the use of skilled movements. It also implies a way of life and thinking, particulrly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self imposed discipline and an ideal of noble morality.
Taekwondo emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). Taekwondo training generally combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport and exercise and includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.
The International Olympic Committee recognized the World Taekwondo Federation and Taekwondo sparring in 1980.
Taekwondo made it's debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympic games
the following year Taekwondo was reported to be the world's most popular martial art.
Kyorugi (sparring) has been an Olympic event since 2000.
To the korean people Taekwondo is more than merely the use of skilled movements. It also implies a way of life and thinking, particulrly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self imposed discipline and an ideal of noble morality.