taekwondo theory 

Korean martial arts began more than 2000 years ago and have evolved into what we now know as Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a method of self defence.

Taekwondo means foot, hand, way. Translated from Korean, "TAE" literally means to jump, kick or smash with the foot, "KWON" means to punch or destroy with the hand or fist and "DO" means art, way or method.

Follow the links below to find the taekwondo theory that you need:

• Korean words used in Taekwondo 

• Taekwondo patterns

• Taekwondo blocks

• Taekwondo kicks

• Taekwondo stances

• Types of motion in taekwondo

• Taekwondo Theory of Power

• Taekwondo Questions and Answers (grading questions)

• Taekwondo Tenets

• Taekwondo books

The history of Taekwondo

Taekwondo was introduced on April 11^th 1955 by General Choi Hong Hi.

Taekwon-Do was developed by Choi in Korea during the 1940s as a combination of Korean Taek Kyon and Japanese Karate. Taekwon-Do is a method of unarmed combat for self-defence based on strong values, or tenets including courtesy, integrity and perseverance.

In 1955 Choi gave it the name Taekwon-Do, comprising Tae (which means to kick with the foot), Kwon (to strike with the fist), and Do (art).

Before Taekwon-Do, Korea's first fighting system was known as Soo Bak Gi which was practiced about 600 AD in the Silla Kingdom (South Korea). Soo Bak Gi developed into Tae Kyon, the Korean art of foot fighting, which the early dynasties used for training their armed forces. Tae Kyon declined during later dynasties and in 1909 the Japanese occupied Korea and outlawed the practice of Tae Kyon and many other Korean traditions.

Choi Hong Hi was born on 9^th November 1918 in the Myong Chun district of what is now North Korea. A sickly but willful child, he was expelled from school at the age of 12 for leading a protest against the occupying Japanese.

At the age of 12 Choi started to study Taek Kyon, the ancient Korean method of fighting with the feet. His teacher was Han ll Dong who, during the Japanese occupations, had been secretly practicing Tae Kyon.

Then in 1937 Choi was sent to Japan to continue his education. Whilst there he studied Karate, gaining a 2nd Dan black belt. 

On his return to Korea in 1942, Choi hid to avoid being forced to join the Japanese Army, but was eventually caught. Conscripted into the Japanese Army during World War II, he was posted to Pyongyang where he was imprisoned, following an attempt to escape and join the underground Korean Liberation Army.

To maintain his good physical and mental health while in prison, Choi practiced karate, alone at first, then by teaching it to the staff of the prison and the other prisoners.

After the end of the war, Choi became an officer in the new Korean Army. He continued to teach his martial art to his soldiers as well as to American soldiers serving in Korea. General Choi combined Taek Kyon and Karate techniques to develop a modern martial art. During the next few years Choi set out the basic foundations of Taekwon-Do.

In 1953, Choi formed the crack 29th Infantry Division where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity. The 29 movements of the Taekwondo pattern Hwa-Rang refer to the 29^th Infantry Division.

On March 22^nd 1966, General Choi created the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). As the Founder of Taekwon-Do and President of the ITF Choi spread Taekwon-Do training around the world. Taekwon-Do was brought to the UK by Master Rhee Ki Ha, who set up the first Taekwon-Do school on Coventry.

After a life dedicated to the development of Taekwon-Do, General Choi, died of cancer on June 15^th 2002, aged 83.