History of Taekwondo The Popular Martial Art & Olympic Sport

Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.

Some taekwondo instructors will incorporate the use of pressure points, known as jiapsul, as well as grappling self-defence techniques selected from other martial arts, such as hapkido and judo.

Taekwondo History

The name Taekwondo is derived from the Korean word “Tae” meaning foot, “Kwon” meaning fist and “Do” meaning way of. So, literally Taekwondo means “the way of the foot and fist”. The name Taekwondo, however, has only been used since 1955 while the arts’ roots began 2,300 years ago in Korea. Known as a martial art and a way of life.

The Three Ancient Korean Kingdoms:

During the 6th century A.D. what we now call the Korean peninsula was divided into three kingdoms; Koguryo, Paekje and Silla.

Silla was the smallest of the kingdoms and located on the south eastern tip of the Korean peninsula. Archaeological findings during these times such as the mural paintings on the royal tombs during the Koguryo period, stone sculptures at pagodas during the Silla period and documents written in the Paekje period, show techniques and fighting stances that were probably the first forms of Taekwondo.

The three kingdoms were at war with each other and constantly fought for new ground on the peninsula. Silla, being the smallest and weakest militarily began to have challenging times protecting itself against the other kingdoms and so took an action which would turn out to be a key point in Korean history.

Koryo Dynasty: (918 A.D. to 1392)

The Koryo Dynasty was a time for growth and development in the martial arts. During this time unarmed combat gained its greatest popularity. It was believed that Soo Bak was introduced to China and became known there as Kwon Pup. Soo Bak also changed its name to Soo Bak Gi because of the new techniques and the mental discipline added to the style. Soo Bak Gi became a popular sport by both the military and the public. Martial arts were on an upswing and even new styles began to appear. One such style was Tae Keyon. Tae Keyon involved many more and new kicking techniques and was designed as more of a fighting sport than a discipline. Tae Keyon and Soo Bak Gi contests were held at annual festivals given by the king. The winners of this contest were given high court offices and also taught the styles to the military, which now made these unarmed arts mandatory. Since the soldiers learned and practiced these arts, during their travels though out the kingdom they also spread the study of martial arts.

Japanese Invasion:

Japan had great influence in Korea (Choson) many things were changed. All competitive sports and martial arts were outlawed. Only the military, under Japanese control, could practice martial arts. Soo Bak Gi was practiced in secret and soon changed its name again to Soo Bak Do. Japanese combat arts Karate etc were introduced to Korea at this time. The people of Korea received them with great interest. Due to peace treaties between the Japanese and Koreans, Japanese educational curricula were taught in all Korean schools and also such Japanese arts as Kendo (“way of the sword”), Judo, Karate, and Aikido. Once again martial arts began to flourish with each side, Japan and Korea, trading techniques and styles of martial arts. On August 15, 1945 Korea was liberated from Japan and Korean arts could once again develop.

Unifying of Taekwondo:

Within Korea there were five major martial art academies or Kwans. They were called Moo duk Kwan, Jido Kwan, Chang mu Kwan, Chung do Kwan, and Song mu Kwan. Within these schools lie a variety of styles such as Kong Soo Do, Tae Kyon, Soo Bak Do, Tang Soo Do, Kwon Pup, etc.

The way of teaching and employing many of the techniques varied as much as the schools and in 1946 an attempt was made to unify Dojangs (training halls) and standardize instructional methods. Some of the leaders wanted to uphold the martial art character of the schools while others wished to create a combat sport. These meetings met with no success.

In April 1955 a new name was from a group of names by the board, it was Taekwondo.

In 1962 the Korean Amateur Sports Association recognized the Korean Taekwondo Union, which later became known as the Korean Taekwondo Association (K.T.A.).

On May 28, 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation was officially established at the Kukkiwon (headquarters) by Dr. Un Yon Kim. Located in Seoul, Korea the World Taekwondo Federation is the governing body which preserves Taekwondo’s roots and development, controls testing and promotes the study of Taekwondo all over the world.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized and admitted the World Taekwondo Federation in July 1980. In 1982 the General Session of the IOC designated Taekwondo as an official Demonstration Sport for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.

In the 2000 Sydney Olympics Taekwondo became an official Olympic Sport. Lauren Burns from Australia won the first official Olympic Gold Medal in Taekwondo.

Over 30 million people practice Taekwondo in more than 205 countries.

The five taekwondo tenets that Pinnacle abides by are:

Courtesy (Ye Ui)

Taekwondo students should attempt to be polite to one another and to respect others.

Students should address instructors as Sir and to bow to the instructors before and after classes.

Turning up early or on time for classes is also an aspect of courtesy.

Integrity (Yom Chi)

One who has integrity is able to define what is right or wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt.

Taekwondo students should strive to be honest and to live by moral principles.

Perseverance (In Nae)

Perseverance means having patience.

One of the most important secrets of becoming a leader in Martial Art of Taekwondo is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance.

“One who is impatient in trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance.” – Confucius

Self-Control (GukGi)

Without self-control, a Taekwondo student is just like any fighter in the street.

Loss of self-control is disastrous both in sparring and personal affairs.

“The term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else” – Lao Tzu.

Indomitable Spirit (BaekjulBoolgool)

A true student of taekwondo will never give up, not even when faced with insurmountable odds.

The most difficult goals can be achieved with indomitable spirit.

Pinnacle Martial Arts Taekwondo Academy in Sydney is the ideal place to learn Taekwondo and progress to your own Pinnacle.

We are here to Teach, Motivate and Inspire.

 Marrickville Branch: 23 Yabsley Ave, Marrickville                                             Chester Hill Branch: 12 Banool St, Chester Hill
                     

Pinnacle Martial Arts Taekwondo Academy in Sydney is the ideal place to learn and progress to your own Pinnacle.

Pinnacle Taekwondo are here to Teach, Motivate and Inspire.

Is Pinnacle Taekwondo Martial Arts Near Me?

Pinnacle Martial Arts Karate in Chester Hill is located at 12 Banool St Chester Hill Bankstown Area in Southwest Sydney

Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy in Chester Hill, is conveniently located within 2-5 km from these nearby suburbs.

Pinnacle Martial Arts in Chester Hill is near Guildford, Bass Hill, Sefton, Birrong, Yagoona, Bankstown, Georges Hall, Villawood, Lansdowne, Old Guildford, Guildford East, Guildford West, South Granville, Granville, Merrylands, Lidcombe, Auburn, Clyde, Fairfield East, Fairfield, Holroyd, Harris Park, Berala, Potts Hill, Condell Park, Chullora, Greenacre,

HQ: Pinnacle Karate Martial Arts Marrickville is located at 23 Yabsley Ave Marrickville Inner West Sydney.

Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy Marrickville, is conveniently located within 2-5 km from these nearby suburbs.

Pinnacle Martial Arts in Marrickville is near Earlwood, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Canterbury, Lewisham, Petersham, Stanmore, Enmore, Newtown, Erskineville, St Peters, Tempe, Sydenham, Wolli Creek, Turrella, Arncliffe, Rockdale, Mascot, Alexandria, Clemton Park, Clemton Valley, Bexley, Bexley North, Campsie, Kingsgrove North, Kingsgrove, Ashfield, Ashbury, Croydon Park, Summer Hill, Leichhardt, Alexandria, Beaconsfield, Camperdown.

Pinnacle Taekwondo Martial Arts in Penrith.

Pinnacle Martial Arts Karate in Penrith is located at the Penrith Baptist Church, 3-11 Morello Terrace Caddens in Penrith Area Western Sydney.

Many of our students travel to Pinnacle Taekwondo Martial Arts in Caddens from Penrith, Caddens, Kingswood, Orchid Hill, South Penrith, Werrington, Jamisontown, Glenmore Park, Cambridge Park, Cambridge Gardens, Werrington County, Claremont Meadows, Western Sydney, Southwest Sydney,

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