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Taekwon
Do is a Korean
martial art system
that, in a
relatively short
period of time, has
become the world's
most practiced
discipline.
Through the
exhaustive efforts
of the World
Taekwondo Federation
(WTF) it has
recently become an
official Olympic
sport. This
system of
self-defense is well
known for its
flamboyant kicking
techniques.
Taekwon Do is a
"hard"
(clashing) style of
martial art with
relatively linear
movements.
A
simple translation
of the Korean word Taekwondo
is "the art of
the foot and
fist". We
arrive at this
translation by the
following - "Tae"
means foot,
"Kwon"
means fist
and "Do"
means the art.
While
"Tae" and
"Kwon" are
a very important
part of this
fascinating system,
they are nothing
more than physical
aspects of the
"Do".
It is the art that
is most important
because the body
will have difficulty
performing many of
the amazing feats
found in Taekwon Do
as it gets older,
but the art will
carry on far beyond
the bodies physical
limitations.
Therefore, focusing
on the
"Tae" and
"Kwon"
without the
"Do" is
like having a body
with no mind.
The
traditional aspect
to our teaching
comes from the Chang
Moo Kwan, founded by
Yoon, Byung
In. Upon Yoons
disappearance during
the Korean War Lee,
Nam Suk took over
the leadership role
of the Chang Moo
Kwan. In 1972
Lee became Vice
President of the
Korean Taekwondo
Association (KTA)
while our very own
Grand Master Park
held the office of
Planner for the KTA.
The
sport side of our
curriculum is
influenced by the
WTF and its focus on
tournament
competition.
Due to the efforts
of the WTF, Taekwon
Do became a
demonstration sport
in the 1988 Summer
Olympic Games.
It finally gained
official Olympic
status in the 2000
Olympics held in
Sydney, Australia.
The
governing body for
Taekwon Do in the
United States is the
USA Taekwondo
(previously known as
USTU). This
organization sets
the guidelines for
Taekwon Do
competition in the
U.S. and also for
the selection of the
U.S. Taekwon Do
Olympic team.
Chris and Cindy
Callahan are
Lifetime members of
the USAT (Click here
for more details). |
