by Eric J Taylor

Created on: August 24, 2008

Taekwondo is often seen as a sport, but it is much more

Taekwondo commenced in Korea in 1955. The Korean culture had had various forms of Martial Arts for over two thousand years. These skills were driven underground in the first half of the twentieth century, when Japan controlled the Korean peninsular, but the skills survived. During this period, many Koreans also learned other Martial Arts including Judo, Kung Fu and Karate.

Following the liberation of Korea from Japan after World War II, various schools, or Kwans, began in Korea to teach the historic skills. Some looked to teach the original Korean forms, others a combination of the ancient skills combined with those of other Martial Arts. In the mid 1950s, the Korean government sought to unify the various Martial Arts being taught and the name Taekwondo, submitted by Choi Hong Hi was accepted. The name Taekwondo literally translates "to kick, to punch, the art", or the way of the fist and the foot. The Kwans finally came together in the early 1960, with two forms of Taekwondo finally developing, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF).

Included within modern Taekwondo are the sparring competitions that have spread throughout the world and since 2000 have been included in the Olympics. The competitions consist of a contest between two people of similar weight and experience. It is usually up to three rounds, each of two minutes, with the combatants earning points for solid contact to the chest or head areas of their opponent's body. Protective gear is worn. The underlying concept of this Martial Art, however, teaches the need for discipline and respect. Proponents of Taekwondo must learn the required etiquette to progress through the various gradings to become a Black Belt. You are taught that the skills learned should never be used outside of the Dojang, or training hall, except in self-defence of yourself or others.

Respect is an important part of Taekwondo. Students learn Kyongrye, that is to bow when meeting a higher ranked Black Belt or an opponent in competition, when receiving an instruction and when entering or leaving a Dojang. After the receipt of Kyongrye, the Black Belt will respond in kind. The student shows respect to the Kwanjangnim (head instructor) and Sabomnim (instructor). The etiquette and respect learned within Taekwondo provide a sound basis on which a person can base their life. You learn that you can be proud, yet humble, that you can be

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