Taekwondo

Depends completely on the school. In ATA schools the ranks are:

• White
• Orange
• Yellow
• Camo
• Green
• Purple
• Blue Recommended
• Blue Desided
• Brown Recommended
• Brown Desided
• Red Recommended
• Red desided
• Black Belt (Red-Black Black Belt or Black Recommended)
• 1st Degree Black belt

But once again it depends entirely on the school, see related links below.

A basic translation of the word Taekwondo is read in reverse as "The way of the hand and foot."

The word taekwondo is made up of three words joined together.

'Tae' means to stomp or smash with the foot.

'Kwon' means to strike with the hand.

'Do' means way, the path, and the art. This is referring to taekwondo becoming a way of life in harmony with nature, and used in a moral and ethical manner. "Do" is an Asian philosophy that is based on the term "Tao" and described in the Tao Te Ching.

A more accurate meaning of the term as a whole is "The art of self defense using hands and feet. The full meaning of the name is much more in-depth and complex than a basic translation of the words.

In Korean, the term is 태권도 .

The first syllable, Tae (태), is like saying the word "at" backwards. This is the part of the word that means to stomp or smash with the foot.

The second syllable, Kwon (권), means to strike with the hand or fist.

The third syllable, do (도) is pronounced like a female dear ("doe"). This word comes from the Chinese term "tao" and relates to the philosophy of the Tao Te Ching - - the art of appreciating life, the way of action that is in harmony with nature, and the path of right behavior.

In mathematics, the "whole is equal to the sum of its parts." However, if you define the term Taekwondo by breaking it down to its parts, then you miss the meaning of the whole picture when fully assembled. Instead, it is like the philosophical concept of "gestalt" where the "whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Therefore, the term Taekwondo should be understood as a concept, and interpreted as a compound word meaning "The way of training the mind, body, and spirit in harmony to produce the ideal response in any given situation." It is an art of self defense, but it is also an education of life, and a way of life for many.

Taekwondo (also Tae Kwon Do, or Taekwon-Do) shares its name with both a martial art that developed out of a Korean method of self defense, and a the national sport of Korea. In Korean, taemeans "to stomp or smash with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "the art, the way, and the path" ; so "taekwondo" is loosely translated as "the way of the foot and fist" or "the way of kicking and punching."

It was first named on April 11, 1955, although the roots and influences go back far into Korea's history. Some of the martial art influences comes from Tae Kkyeon, an ancient Korean method known for its kicking. Also Tang Soo Do, Chinese hand-fighting from the Tang Dynasty. Its earliest origins were from the Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo Kingdoms which co-existed on the Korean peninsula between the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD before they united as the Silla Dynasty.

Taekwondo became mandatory training for soldiers in the Korean Army, and members of Korea's police force. It was used during the Korean War (1950 - 1953), and the Vietnam War. The various Kwans (schools) of Taekwondo were united in 1961 under the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA). It was gradually introduced to the rest of the world throughout the 1960's and 70's, and has risen to popularity during the 1980's.

Taekwondo has experienced commercial success due its appeal to a wide range of participants (as young as 4 years old and up to 80+). Practitioners are interested in a range of benefits from self defense, physical fitness, sports competition and self discipline. On the international stage, much of the success since the early 1970's is due to the leadership provided by the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) for technical requirements, evaluation standards, and certification, and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) setting the standards for competition.

Taekwondo has spread to most nations of the world, and became an official Olympic Sport in 2000, having been introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.

Self defense is one of the primary reasons that people become involved in the martial art, and learning to defend yourself will be among the first things that your teacher should teach you. It requires the tutelage of a qualified instructor (check credentials to verify authentic knowledge of Taekwondo, and authorized organizational authority to teach). It cannot be learned adequately through reading, either online or in a book, and videos only show things without personal instruction. Sometimes an additional partner is needed to practice on while the instructor teaches and makes corrections.

It also requires a basic ability to move and use your body without losing balance and concentration. It is important to first warm up, and stretch to make the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints flexible. You first learn the basic components of each move, then practice them repeatedly with a partner until they flow smooth. At first, they should be done slowly for correct form, then gradually increase speed until it is fast enough to be effective in real life self defense. Initially the resistance of your training partner should be minimal until proficiency is gained, then intensified until it is as close to a realistic attack as safely possible without injuring your training partner. All of this must always be done under the close supervision of your instructor.

To enhance your self defense training after you have attained sufficient proficiency, you can train while wearing a variety of clothing as you would in your daily life, and practice indoors as well as out. Training carefully on a variety of terrain, with different obstacles to avoid, in various weather conditions, and against multiple attackers (unarmed and armed with safe training weapons) will prepare you for any encounter. Your choice of techniques and tactics should be altered according to the above conditions.

Proficiency at self defense skills requires a lot of practice of effective skills. Attending class more often will help to guide you better. However, it is important to understand that any real-life self defense situation can be potentially dangerous, or even deadly. No amount of self defense training will make you infallible, or bullet-proof. Part of self defense training is learning to avoid dangerous locations, people, and situations. It is safer and wiser to avoid a conflict by being alert to your surroundings, observe people and be able to read their attitudes and intentions, and to be a pleasant person who is not naturally aggressive, and does not provoke aggression from others. It is best to walk away (while remaining safe and alert), or talk your way out of a fight. Physical combat should ALWAYS be a last resort, and then it is applied only to the level necessary to protect the innocent, and neutralize a situation.

There have been several key figures in Taekwondo's history who have claimed this title, and students of theirs will likely argue for their organization's founder as being the one true founder of Taekwondo. However, to give a biased answer here, and name only one person would be wrong. If there was one, undisputed creator, or founder of this art, then there would be no controversy, but that is not the case. Looking at each of the pioneers, and examining what they contributed will allow the reader to make up their own mind based on the facts.

This is a complex issue that is highly controversial and debated among experts in the field. Many things that have been invented, created, or discovered by humans were in existence long before they were given a name. It is not uncommon that modern developments of any subject were influenced by a variety of sources from the past, and brought together in a new format. Of the original five Kwans (Taekwondo schools) the Chung Do Kwan was the first to officially open in 1944 as approved by the occupying Japanese government. This Kwan was founded by Won Kuk Lee, who instructed most of the Black Belt students who later created the other Kwans which eventually united under the umbrella term of Taekwondo and formed the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA), and the Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, Korea.

(see related link below for Kukkiwon History of Taekwondo)

Taekwondo is a term that was chosen, and first used in recorded history on the 11th of April 1955. Instructors of Martial Art schools in Korea, known as Kwans, were teaching a variety of techniques that were influenced by Chinese systems, Japanese schools, and native Korean Martial Art. When the meeting of the original Kwan founders, historians, and political leaders voted on ballots, and choose the name "Taekwon-Do," this could be viewed as the official beginning of Taekwondo as a native Korean Martial Art. It is debated among those present at the meeting as to who first coined the term Taekwon-Do, but most agree that Major General Choi Hong Hi was the one that submitted the ballot containing the words "Tae Kwon."

Whether this is enough to say that General Choi created Taekwondo as is known to many world wide, is questionable. General Choi had been a student at the Chung Do Kwan under the founder of the Chung Do Kwan, Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee. Choi had pursued a military career, and began teaching his own variation of the Chung Do Kwan's curriculum to the soldiers in the ROK Army. He called his military version "Oh Do Kwan" (Gym of My Way). Like many other second generation Kwan founders of that time, Choi taught his own curriculum and later moved to Canada where he established the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), a civilian replacement of his Oh Do Kwan.

Many experts feel that the actual formation of Taekwondo starts with influences dating back to the earliest settlements on the Korean Peninsula from 57 BC to 100 AD. These are cultural and philosophical influences that permeated the Korean people as a society, and remains unto this day. Many of the core principles of modern Taekwondo, fighting spirit, training regimen, ethical and moral conduct was rooted in the Hwarang Youth Group of the 6th Century AD.

Even after the name Taekwondo was chosen, the art itself has undergone vast changes to develop into a unique fighting system that never existed before in its current structure and philosophy. This metamorphosis has taken place over the past five decades, so it is very difficult to identify exactly when Taekwondo became what it is known as today, and no one person can rightfully be credited for creating this art. There were just too many great minds and dedicated Martial Artists contributing over several decades to universally agree upon a single founder.

Short answer:

The short answer is that there was not one "founder" or "father" of Taekwondo. While some have claimed that title, there is little evidence to support the claim other than personal opininions, and unsustantiated accounts of a controversial history. The reality is that Taekwondo is a term used to describe a number of differnet things from the National Martial Art and Sport of Korea, to just about anyone's personal interpretation of how to fight using punching and kicking. The fact is, Taekwondo was named in April of 1955 as an umbrella label for the unification of all of Korean Martial Art, from the several thousand year old history, to the most modern developments.

Detailed answer:

This is a complex issue that is highly controversial and debated among experts in the field. Many things that have been invented, created, or discovered by humans were in existence long before they were given a name. It is not uncommon that modern developments of any subject were influenced by a variety of sources from the past, and brought together in a new format.

Tae Kwon Do is a modern day Korean martial art and combat sport that was developed through a variety of influences. The oldest ancestor of Tae Kwon Do is a series of unarmed combat techniques that were not known to have been organized in any specific structured curriculum as modern schools do. These ancient methods of physical combat developed throughout the three rival Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje during Korea's early struggles before becoming a unified country.

Although some roots of Taekwondo date back more than 2,000 years to this early three kingdoms period (57 BC to 1st Century AD), there is no known record of exactly what teaching methods, or techniques were employed in such ancient native arts as Subak, Tae kyon, and among the knights of the 6th Century Hwa Rang Youth Group. However, it is believed that Subak contained both striking and grappling skills, and Tae kyon was noted for the kicking technique that has been revived in modern Taekwondo.

These early Martial Art systems seems to have survived throughout the centuries in practice, and in folklore and games of skill contests. Like many traditions in most ancient cultures, Subak and Taekyon were taught from father to son in an unrecorded link to modern practitioners. Also, as a Martial Art, it was taught in secret to a select few throughout the Japanese occupation (1910 to 1945) during WWII. Many Koreans during this period learned a majority of foreign Martial Art from Japan and China since Korean culture, language and fighting arts were banned.

During that time a young Korean, Won Kuk Lee (in Korean - Yi, Won Kuk), learned some Taekyon in the streets of Korea before moving to Japan to attend college. Another young boy name Hong Hi Choi (in Korean - Choi, Hong Hi), states that he learned some Taekyon from his Calligraphy teacher before going to attend High School and college in Japan. Both Lee, and Choi earned their Black Belts in Shotokan Karate under the renowned Karate Master Gichen Funakoshi.

Lee was a senior ranking Black Belt under Sensei Funakoshi, and began teaching his own unique methods as early as 1942. Upon returning to Korea in 1944, College Professor Won Kuk Lee gained permission from the Japanese government to teach the Korean system of Tang Soo Do (based on Chinese Hand fighting of the Tang Dynasty) for the first time in Korea at the Yung Shin School Gymnasium in Sa De Mun, Ok Chun Dong district in Seoul. He incorporated his own unique methods of teaching one-on-one and called his school "Chung Do Kwan" (school of the Blue Wave), officially established in Korea in 1944, see related links below.

After World War II ended (1945) several new Kwans opened up under various names, many of which were formed by Black Belt graduates of the Chung Do Kwan. The original five Kwans were: 1. Chung Do Kwan, founded in 1944 by Lee, Won Kuk (Lee had been teaching since 1942, but the official Kwan was opened in 1944 by permission of the occupying government of Japan), 2. Song Moo Kwan, founded May 2, 1946 by Ro, Byung Jick (Ro had previously taught self defense at an Archery School between March to July of 1944, but the official Kwan did not open until after the occupation), 3. Mu Duk Kwan, founded by Hwang Kee in 1946, 4. Kwon Bop Bu / Chang Mu Kwan, founded by Byung In Yoon in 1946, 5. Yun Moo Kwan / Jidokwan, founded by Sang Sup Chun in 1946.

Much later, there were four more main Kwans: 6. Han Moo Kwan, founded by Kyo Yoon Lee in 1954, 7. Oh Do Kwan, founded by Hong Hi Choi in 1955, 8. Kang Duk Won, founded by Chul Hee Park in 1956, 9. Jung Do Kwan, founded by Yong Woo Lee in 1956.

Some key figures important in the organization and development of Taekwondo as a modern Korean Martial Art included the first generation graduates of the Chung Do Kwan:

Duk Sung Son (3rd Kwanjang of the Chung Do Kwan - Founder of World Taekwondo Association)

Suh Chong Kang (Founder of Kyu Mu Kwan - Co-founder and 1st President of ATA: American Taekwondo Association)

Woon Kyu Uhm (current Chung Do Kwan Kwanjang and Kukkiwon President)

Later Graduates of the Chung Do Kwan include:

Hae Man Park (Vice President, Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan)

Hyun Ok Shin (President, United Chung Do Kwan Association)

Tae Zee Park (President, Tae Park Taekwondo)

In Mook Kim (President, American ChungDoKwan Taekwondo Association)

Edward B. Sell (Founder, United States Chung Do Kwan Association in 1967)

Jhoon Rhee (First permanent Tae Kwon Do Instructor in America)

By the mid 1950's approximately 18 kwans had opened in Korea, each teaching a variety of Martial Art systems under various names. The original Kwan founders began an effort to unite all of the Kwans into one central organization, and create a name to encompass all of the systems as one Korean Martial Art.

By this time, Hong Hi Choi had worked his way up in the Korean army as a General. In 1955, General Choi spear-headed this effort to organize the many Kwans and create a single governing body. It was determined that the Korean Martial Art was drifting away from its long-time Japanese influence, and becoming a system unique to the Korean culture, philosophy, and regaining the ancient knowledge of Subak, Taekyon, and other skills that were nearly lost.

A new name needed to be chosen to represent the modern culmination of ancient skills with current influences while distancing the new organization from Japanese terms and influences. Chung Do Kwan founder, Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee stated that several of his students researched the matter, consulting a Korean language dictionary, and came up with the term "Taekwon-Do" to show a close connection to the kicking of the forerunner Korean art of Tae Kyon.

At a meeting of prominent Korean politicians, historians, and Kwan leaders on April 11, 1955, several ballots were voted upon, and the one containing the term "Taekwon," which was submitted by Chung Do Kwan student, General Hong Hi Choi, was selected. Thus, the term "Taekwon-Do" was born in April of 1955, but the art itself is a combination of technical knowledge, ancient warrior spirit, national culture and heritage dating back to the 1st century B.C.. Therefore, most Korean Taekwondo masters consider "Taekwondo" to be a new name for an ancient art. Even after this official vote, it took another decade to bring about a complete consensus among the various Kwans.

However, many people still erroneously place the Japanese Karate connection as the starting point of Taekwondo's history. This is, in fact, an error since much of what Taekwondo is today is based on Korean culture, philosophy, and technical preference for kicking, which was inspired by ancient Korean system of Tae kyon (kicking method). All of these are part of Taekwondo's history, and pre-date the Japanese occupation.

Like most systems of the Martial Art, Taekwondo consists of many training tools for the student to use learning and practicing skills. One of those tools is the practice of forms (a series of prearranged movements). This concept was not present in traditional Korean Martial Art, but existed in Japanese systems such as Shotokan Karate, which was a descendent of the earlier "Okinawa-te" system (fighting with the hand) It is not known for sure where the Okinawan Martial Art originated, but some evidence suggests that it was brought to the island from China as a variation of the hand fighting taught to the Buddhist monks in the Shaolin Temple by the legendary Zen Buddhist Monk, Bodhidharma.

Because several of the original Korean Kwan (school) founders of Korean Taekwondo, had been students in the 1940's of Shotokan Karate-Do Master Gichen Funakoshi, the early use of "forms" practice in Taekwondo was a modified version of Karate "Kata." In the 1950s, Korean General Choi Hong Hi, restructured the Shotokan forms, and create the "Chang Hon Tul" (Blue Cottage Forms) which are still used by his International Taekwon-Do federation (ITF).

Since the development of the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) in Seoul, Korea in 1972, new forms were developed which better portrayed the Taekwondo content as taught in the Korean Martial Art. The first new set of color belt forms were called the Pal-gwe (eight trigrams). Then the Taegeuk forms were established as the official forms of Taekwondo in Korea, and are used in Olympic competition. These forms are based on the same three-lined trigrams that the Pal-gwe forms used as borrowed from the Chinese philosophy contained in the I Ching - Book of Changes.

Combined with the Black Belt forms, these are referred to as "Poomsae" rather than the Japanese "Kata." However, since forms practice is only one tool within the training of any Martial Art, the origin of forms should not be the key factor in determining the origin of the content and roots of an entire art.

For reference and further reading, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) is the only official sports authority for Olympic Taekwondo, recognized by the IOC (International Olympic Committee), and the only one authorized by the Kukkiwon, world Taekwondo headquarters in Seoul, Korea. The WTF is not an instructional organization, and individuals or schools can not join or become members of the WTF. The WTF is not a "style" of Taekwondo, but is the governing body for Korean Taekwondo sport rules and regulations which consists of member nations.

Even after the name Taekwondo was chosen in 1955, the art itself has undergone vast changes to develop into a unique fighting system that never existed before in its current structure and philosophy. This metamorphosis has taken place over the past five decades, so it is very difficult to identify exactly when Taekwondo became what it is known as today, and no one person can rightfully be credited for creating this art. There were just too many great minds and dedicated Martial Artists contributing over several decades, even centuries, to universally agree upon a founder or a start date. However, it is accurate to say that the name of the art was officially established on April 11, 1955.

Short answer: Modern Taekwondo was created over a period of time by several people, mostly in and around the capital city of Seoul, South Korea.

It was named on April 11, 1955, and the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) was officially established in 1961. It subsequently spread into the rest of South Korea, was introduced to North Korea, China, and Japan, and gradually became increasingly popular throughout the rest of the world over the following four decades.

Detailed Answer:

Taekwondo consists of contributions from both old and new methods. Some elements of Taekwondo come from revived traditional techniques and philosophies of ancient Korea, while other parts come from the mid 20th century Korean instructors who had studied various Chinese and Japanese systems, bringing their combined knowledge together with native Korean Martial Art concepts, then switched the main technical focus to kicking as a primary weapon of self defense.

The development of Taekwondo as the modern national Martial Art of Korea stems from a long history of feudal times, and forging of a unique Korean identity. The battles between Kingdoms within the Korean peninsula, and defense of attack from neighboring countries led Koreans to cultivate elite soldiers, Martial Art warriors, and social groups of educating the upper-class youth to become positive citizens, hold political office, or become great military generals. The physical training as well as ethical and philosophical teachings of the 6th Century Hwarang Youth Group greatly influenced Korean culture, and is retained in today's Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910 to 1945) Korean culture, history, and language was suppressed and even outlawed. The early founders of Taekwondo were limited to Japanese or Chinese systems of Martial Art for open study of self defense, and often required traveling abroad. However, some native Martial Art methods were practiced in secret, and a few were said to have been directly taught ancient Tae kkyeon (kicking method) from unverified teachers.

Near the end of World War II, a Korean college professor named Won Kuk Lee opened the first officially recognized Kwan (Korean Martial Art school) run by a Korean which he called the Chung Do Kwan (school of the Blue Wave). After World War II, many Black Belts of the Chung Do Kwan, and Instructors of other systems, spread about the city of Seoul, Korea creating their own Annex Kwans (off-shoot schools) under various names. Early Kwan instruction blended the Karate from Japan (which came from Okinawa and is believed to have been brought to the island from the earlier hand fighting of China), along with Judo, Aikido, and some of the native Korean combat forms to create a new and unique martial art.

Needing a new name for their modern unified system, the Kwan founders discussed various options. The term "Taekwon-Do" was first used after a few students of the Chung Do Kwan researched the matter and consulted a Korean language dictionary. On April 11, 1955, a meeting was held among a select group of Martial Artists, prominent politicians and Korean historians to choose a new name to describe the restructuring of native Martial Art practice in Korea, and the unification of the various Korean Kwans during the post-World War II era.

The term "Taekwon" is believed to have been submitted by a Chung Do Kwan Black Belt student, Choi Hong Hi, to be voted among ballots of other terms. Choi, who became a Major General in the Korean Army, taught Taekwondo to soldiers in the military Martial Art school he called Oh Do Kwan (Gym of My Way). He worked closely with his former school, the largest civilian Kwan (Chung Do Kwan), and the Kwanjang (School Head) of the Chung Do Kwan, Woon Kyu Um, to push for the acceptance of Taekwondo as the umbrella term to be used by the newly united Kwans.

Some outsiders insist that Taekwondo was born out of Karate, while others view the two as "sister arts." Although the early Kwan founders began their own personal training in either native Korean fighting, or a mix of Chinese and Japanese systems, most experts in Taekwondo know that Taekwondo's unique difference comes mostly from the Korean culture, philosophies and was born out of a return to the indigenous Korean martial art methods of Subak, Tae kkyeon and Hwarang. These provided a catalyst of technical directional influence rather than a direct succession of technical content. Some schools of native Korean arts remain separate from the umbrella title of Taekwondo such as the Tae kkyeon (kicking method), Yusul, Subakki-do, Hwarang-Do, and Hapkido, but much of the techniques in those schools are included in Taekwondo. Taekwondo is mostly a way of life that is formed on Korean culture and philosophy, which includes self defense skills based primarily on the predominant kicking strategy which is shared by the native Tae kkyeon. The forms practiced in many Taekwondo schools originated in Shorin Ryu Karate and the similarities are easily determined.

Over the past few decades the Koreans have continued to improve and hone their instructional methods, fighting tactics, and sport rules to form a consistent curriculum that is now taught throughout rest of the world. Today, the term Taekwondo (also written as Tae kwon do, Taekwon-Do, and Taegwondo) is used to describe the Korean system of self defense , and the national sport of Korea, which has been included in the Olympic games since 1988 (demonstration) and 2000 (full medal sport). Therefore, Taekwondo was created in Korea over time, named in 1955, and has since evolved into a modern Martial Art system of self defense, physical fitness, path of enlightenment and a sport which is unique to Korean methods and philosophies.
The answer to the question of "where" Taekwondo was invented (or more accurately where it was "developed and named") is in Seoul, South Korea.

While the history and roots of Taekwondo is a hotly contested debate, even among experts, the name itself was not officially applied to Korean Martial Art until a meeting of leading Korean Martial Art Masters, politicians and historians on April 11, 1955.

The various historical, cultural, and philosophical content that makes up the whole art of Taekwondo is laced throughout Korea's long history, with influences from both China and Japan, and has been handed down in the form of national traditions for centuries. However, the actual technical content for fighting is based on a combination many sources and individual contributors. After WWII, many Korean Martial Artists opened schools throughout South Korea (mainly around the capital of Seoul) and were using a variety of names of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean origin to describe their various systems.

There was a desire among the leading Instructors and government officials to unify the Kwans (schools) and choose one name that they could all use. It has been reported by Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee, founder of the 1st official Korean school called the Chung Do Kwan, that a few of his students consulted a Korean dictionary, and arrived at the term "Taekwondo." When the ballots were cast at the meeting in 1955, it is believed that one of the Chung Do Kwan students, Army General Choi Hong Hi, submitted the name which was chosen unanimously. Over the next decade, there was much debate over the preference for the name "Taekwondo" as opposed to "Tae Soo Do," General Choi pushed for the widespread acceptance of the name Taekwondo, and it was eventually decided that Taekwondo would be the name of the National Art of Korea.

Each of the Kwan founders continued to teach their various systems, some joining the newly unified Korea Taekwondo Association, and others remained on their own. While each Kwan has a somewhat distinctive approach to teaching Taekwondo, the term is used to describe the whole system of Korean Martial Art, and was developed by many Masters over a long period of time.
Taekwondo originated in South Korea.
Taekwondo was developed in Korea, by Koreans, who combined knowledge of several different Asian fighting systems with the native Korean Kicking as a primary weapon. It is used for self defense as well as sport.

Taekwondo originated in South Korea, developed by many pioneers and named on April 11, 1955. Rooted in the cultural influences and native fighting tactics which date back to the 1st century BC, and the 7th century Hwarang Knights who contributed a formal system of study for transition to manhood, social development, and military combat and leadership training that included a moral code of conduct, Taekwondo is now the National Martial Art and sport of Korea. Modern influences include both Chinese and Japanese Martial Art systems, but the core curriculum is based on Korean culture, and the native fighting methods of kicking known as Tae Kkyeon.

Taekwondo instructors often use Korean terms in class. Here are a few of the more common:

• Charyeot차렷 Attention
• Gyeong rye 경례 敬禮 Bow
• Baro 바로 Return
• Swieo 쉬어 At ease, relax
• Kihap 기합 氣合 Yell
• Junbi 준비 準備 Ready
• Sijak 시작 始作 Begin, start
• Gallyeo 갈려 Break (separate)
• Gyesok 계속 繼續 Continue
• Guman 그만 Finish (stop)
• Dwiro dora 뒤로 돌아 Turn around (about turn)
• Haesan í•´ì‚° 解散 Dismiss

• when using a roundhouse to break, you will pull your toes back and hit it with the ball of your foot
• axe kick ( a kick that is mainly straight up and down aiming for the face), you mainly use your heel.
• side kick, use outer edge of foot, or the heel
• breaking with a back, spin, hook and crescent kick you should use the heel

Including only the Olympic Games at which taekwondo was a medal sport (2000, 2004 & 2008) and leaving out the Games at which taekwondo was a demonstration sport (1988 & 1992), the medal table is as follows:

Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total

1. South Korea --- 9 gold medals - 1 silver medal --- and 2 bronze medals
2. China ----------- 4 gold medals ---------------------- and 1 bronze medal
3. United States -- 2 gold medals - 2 silver medals - and 2 bronze medals
4. Chinese Taipei - 2 gold medals - 1 silver medal --- and 2 bronze medals
5. Mexico ---------- 2 gold medals - 1 silver medal --- and 2 bronze medals
6. Iran ------------- 2 gold medals ---------------------- and 2 bronze medals
7. Greece ---------- 1 gold medal -- 3 silver medals
8. Cuba ------------ 1 gold medal -- 2 silver medals
9. Australia -------- 1 gold medal -- 1 silver medal
10. Thailand --------------------------- 2 silver medals
11. France ----------------------------- 1 silver medal -- and 2 bronze medals
12. Turkey ----------------------------- 1 silver medal -- and 1 bronze medal
13. Canada ---------------------------- 1 silver medal -- and 1 bronze medal
14. Germany -------------------------- 1 silver medal
15. Russia ----------------------------- 1 silver medal
16. Spain ------------------------------- 1 silver medal
17. Vietnam --------------------------- 1 silver medal
18. Croatia ---------------------------------------------------- 2 bronze medals
19. Brazil ------------------------------------------------------ 1 bronze medal
20. Afghanistan ---------------------------------------------- 1 bronze medal
21. Egypt ------------------------------------------------------ 1 bronze medal
22. Great Britain ---------------------------------------------- 1 bronze medal
23. Japan ------------------------------------------------------ 1 bronze medal
24. Kazakhstan ----------------------------------------------- 1 bronze medal