Taekwondo is a martial art that originated in Korea and has since spread across the globe. It’s a powerful and dynamic martial art focusing on strength, speed, and agility.
Taekwondo is known for its high kicks and quick, fluid movements, making it a popular choice for self-defence, sport, and exercise.
If you’re interested in learning about this particular martial art, this guide can help you get started with your Taekwondo journey.
Origins and History of Taekwondo
Taekwondo has its roots in ancient Korean martial arts, with evidence of combat techniques dating back to as early as 50 BCE. However, the modern form of Taekwondo is a relatively new martial art created in the 1940s and 1950s by many different practitioners.
The name Taekwondo was officially adopted in 1955, but it wasn’t until 1973 that the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was founded to help promote the sport globally. Since then, Taekwondo has become a popular martial art and sport worldwide.
Taekwondo was created by merging components of the Korean martial art Taekkyeon, which emphasizes dynamic footwork and striking, Subak, another dynamic martial art from which Taekkyeon evolved, and Gwonbeop (a Korean version of one of the Chinese martial arts).
The name Taekwondo itself is composed of three parts. “Tae” means “to strike with the foot,” “kwon” means “to strike with the hand,” and “do” means “the way” or “the path.” Together, Taekwondo means “the way of the foot and fist.” This name was chosen to reflect the emphasis on kicks and strikes in the martial art.
Taekwondo Styles
Taekwondo’s ITF and WTF styles differ in their focus and training methods. The ITF style emphasizes self-defence techniques, including joint locks, hand strikes, and kicks. It also includes patterns, which are pre-arranged sequences of movements that simulate fighting scenarios. In addition, ITF practitioners practice sparring, which involves controlled fighting with a partner.
The WTF style, on the other hand, is more focused on sport and competition. It places a greater emphasis on high kicks and quick, fluid movements. In WTF Taekwondo, sparring is a major training component, and competitions are held at national and international levels.
The World Taekwondo championships were first staged in Korea in 1973 and have taken place every two years since with the exception of 2021 when the pandemic delayed the competition. the men’s event has been dominated by South Korea but as its popularity has soared the winners are now coming from all over the World.
Taekwondo was a demonstration sport for the Olympics in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea and has been a full Olympic sport since the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It now has eight weight classes across the event and has grown in stature ever since its inclusion. It’s one of the most popular martial arts in the world and is widely practised as a competitive sport.
To determine the right style for you, consider which style aligns with your goals and interests.
Techniques in Taekwondo
The two primary training focuses in Taekwondo are forms (poomsae) and sparring (gyeorugi).
To advance to the next belt level, a student must be able to perform the pre-arranged patterns of striking and blocking known as poomsae. Schools need more consistency, particularly at lower levels, and some poomsae contain weapons.
Nonetheless, the focus on precision and flawless execution, which are necessary for mastering the motions that make up the poomsae, are shared by all poomsae. Poomsae are exercises that develop the strength, kinetics, and muscle memory a martial artist needs to win in hand-to-hand combat. The movements in each poomsae also limber and condition the practitioner, improving athleticism and overall health.
The second part of taekwondo training is gyeorugi. Gyeorugi is frequently practised in schools under “no touch” regulations, limiting all punches and kicks to a mild touch to reduce injuries during practice.
Students may spar with people of the same skill level or those of a different skill level, as well as those of a comparable weight class or a different weight class, depending on the size of the school. Gyeorugi is designed to help a student use the knowledge gained through his poomsae by putting him in a more “real life” situation with another student. Also, it assists in enhancing the physical reflexes and mental sharpness needed for success in a hand-to-hand combat situation.
Benefits of Taekwondo
Taekwondo offers a wide range of physical and mental benefits. Some of the most notable benefits include:
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Improved Fitness
Taekwondo is a high-intensity workout that can improve cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and endurance. Your body’s structure serves as the foundation for Taekwondo techniques. The larger, more robust muscles of the torso are developed for power. The fast and agile muscles in the arms and legs speed up the techniques. To concentrate your body’s strength on a small, hard, striking surface, such as the edge of your hand or the heel of your foot, you must learn to coordinate speed and power as you advance in Taekwondo.
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Self-Defence
Taekwondo is an effective self-defence system that can help individuals feel more confident and secure in dangerous situations. The results can be amazing when the speed and power gained from Taekwondo are applied in a self-defence scenario against the weak points of an attacker’s body. Women can emphasize many of their inherent physical attributes in Taekwondo while learning a technique for self-defence that is effective against a much larger opponent.
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Improved Confidence
The practice of Taekwondo can help individuals develop greater confidence in themselves and their abilities. For many people, this does not come naturally, but self-confidence can be developed over time. Your confidence grows as you achieve new goals in your Taekwondo journey. The self-confidence and discipline you learn in Taekwondo can be applied to all aspects of your life.
Taekwondo Dojo
In Taekwondo, a training facility is called a “dojang” and sometimes “Kwan”. The term “dojang” is derived from the Korean words “do”, meaning “way” or “path,” and “jang”, meaning “place.” The dojang is where students of Taekwondo train and practice their techniques under the guidance of an instructor.
The first step in learning Taekwondo is to find a dojang. Look for a reputable dojang with experienced instructors and a welcoming community in your area. You can search online or ask for recommendations from friends or family members who practice Taekwondo.
The Sensei in Taekwondo
In Taekwondo, the teacher or instructor is called a “sabumnim”. This term is used to show respect for the instructor, who is seen as a mentor and guide for the students.
A Brief History Of Olympic Taekwondo
Since its inclusion as a demonstration event in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Taekwondo has been one of only two Asian martial arts to be included in the Olympic Games since the 2000 Sydney Games (the other being Judo). Taekwondo was approved as a sport for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Despite being a relatively new sport, it has grown in popularity and become an easily recognizable Olympic sport. MMA fighters like Edson Barboza, Anderson Silva, and Anthony Pettis also use it.
What Is The Difference Between Taekwondo And Karate?
While both Taekwondo and Karate are martial arts, the style of attack and defence vary slightly whilst the overall techniques needed have some significant differences.
Taekwondo emphasizes kicking techniques, while Karate focuses more on hand strikes. Taekwondo has a more modern and sport-oriented approach, while Karate has a more traditional and philosophical approach.
In Conclusion
Taekwondo is a powerful and dynamic martial art that offers a wide range of physical and mental benefits. With its roots in ancient Korean martial arts, Taekwondo has evolved into a modern sport practised worldwide.
Learning Taekwondo can be a rewarding experience that provides numerous physical, mental, and social benefits. By finding a reputable dojang, choosing a style, attending classes regularly, practising at home, setting goals, and staying committed, you can develop the skills, discipline, and confidence to succeed in Taekwondo and in life.
