Taekwon-Do Itf United Martial Arts

Information about the Korean Martial Art of ITF Taekwon-Do

Taekwon-Do is a Korean Martial Art that was perfected by the Korean Taekwon-Do movement in 1955 to supersede ancient Korean Arts.

Tae means to jump or kick or break with the feet. Kwon means to block, punch, strike or break with the hand or fist. And Do means the Art, thus Taekwon-Do is the techniques of unarmed self defence involving the skill application of techniques that include punches, strikes, kicks, blocks, dodges and interceptions with the bare hands, arms and feet, to swiftly overpower an opponent. It instils a spirit of strict self-imposed discipline and the ideal of a noble moral character. Taekwon-Do also cultivates the virtues of etiquette, modesty, self-control, perseverance and an indomitable spirit.

Taekwon-Do can be traced to Tae Kyon, the Art of self-defence, which originated in the 7th century AD during the Silla dynasty in Korea. Tae Kyon was taught and practised among the youths of Hwarang-Do who were hand picked to be trained as military leaders of Silla, one of the three ruling kingdoms of Korea at that time. Tae Kyon’s effectiveness was enhanced after it developed hand techniques at the turn of the 20th century when Karate was introduced from China.

A historical account of Taekwon-Do would be incomplete without a brief mention of the history of Karate itself. The origins of Karate are lost in legend and myth. But it is believed that Karate had its beginnings in India thousands of years ago. The Indian Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, brought it to China about 1, 500 years ago. Chinese warriors and missionaries then introduced it to neighbouring countries. However Karate underwent many changes in later years. Different masters have constantly modified it, probably in the attempt to relate to their individual or national philosophies. This accounts for the existence of the numerous styles of this fighting Art today.