Although the origins of the martial arts are shrouded by mystery, it is considered an undeniable fact that from immemorial times there have been physical actions involving the use of the hands and feet for purpose of self-protection.
If we were to define these physical actions as "Taekwondo", any country might claim credit for inventing Taekwondo. There is, however, scant resemblance between Taekwondo, as it is practiced today, and the crude forms of unarmed combat developed in the past. Modern Taekwondo differs greatly from other martial arts. In fact, no other martial art is so advanced with regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of its technique or the over-all physical fitness it imparts to its practitioners.
Since the theories, terminology, techniques, system, methods, rules, practice suit, and spiritual foundation were scientifically developed and systematized, it is an error to think of any physical actions employinig the hands and feet for self-defense as Taekwondo. Nor is any other martial arts system entitled to call itself Taekwondo.
When and where did Taekwondo begin?
A combinations of circumstances made it possible the origin and development of Taekwondo. It was after World War II, soon after Korea was liberated from Japanese domination that five "Kwans" that combined elements of Shotokan Karate, Taek Kyon, Soo Bak-Gi, Palgwae and Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, became popular in Korea. These Kwans were:
+ Soon Moo Kwan, founded in 1944
+ Chung Do Kwan, founded in 1944
+ Moo Duk Kwan, founded in 1946
+ Kwon Bop Bu/Chang Moo Kwan, founded in 1946, and
+ Yun Moo Kwan/Jidokwan, founded in 1946
During the South Korean presidency of of Syngman Rhee, Choi Hong Hi was instructed to introduce the these martial arts to the South Korean army. By mid-1950 nine Kwans had emerged (the new four mostly as offshoots of some of the five earlier Kwans), and it was suggested to unify the various schools under a single system. The name "Taekwondo" was submitted by either Choi Hong Hi and Duk Sung Son, and was accepted on April 11, 1955. The Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) was formed in 1959 to facilitate the unification, with Choi Hong Hi as its president.
In the early 1960's, Taekwondo made its debut worldwide with assignment of the original masters of Taekwondo to various countries. In 1966, the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) was founded by Choi Hong Hi as a splinter group of the KTA, and in 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was founded with roots in the KTA. The KTA central Dojang was opened in 1972, and few months later, the name was changed to Kukkiwon.
Since 2000, Taekwondo has been one of the only two Asian martial arts (the other being Judo) that are included in the Olympic Games; it became a demonstration event starting with the 1988 games in Seoul, and became an official medal event starting the 2000 games in Sydney. In 2010, Taekwondo was accepted as a Commonwealth Games sport.
During the South Korean presidency of of Syngman Rhee, Choi Hong Hi was instructed to introduce the these martial arts to the South Korean army. By mid-1950 nine Kwans had emerged (the new four mostly as offshoots of some of the five earlier Kwans), and it was suggested to unify the various schools under a single system. The name "Taekwondo" was submitted by either Choi Hong Hi and Duk Sung Son, and was accepted on April 11, 1955. The Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) was formed in 1959 to facilitate the unification, with Choi Hong Hi as its president.
In the early 1960's, Taekwondo made its debut worldwide with assignment of the original masters of Taekwondo to various countries. In 1966, the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) was founded by Choi Hong Hi as a splinter group of the KTA, and in 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was founded with roots in the KTA. The KTA central Dojang was opened in 1972, and few months later, the name was changed to Kukkiwon.
Since 2000, Taekwondo has been one of the only two Asian martial arts (the other being Judo) that are included in the Olympic Games; it became a demonstration event starting with the 1988 games in Seoul, and became an official medal event starting the 2000 games in Sydney. In 2010, Taekwondo was accepted as a Commonwealth Games sport.
