TaekwonDo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. It combines combat methods with sport and self-discipline, and is practiced for fitness, self-defense, competition, and cultural education. The name taekwondo is often analyzed as tae meaning foot, kwon meaning fist, and do meaning way or discipline.

Origins trace to earlier Korean martial arts such as taekkyon and subak, with modern taekwondo taking shape in the 1940s and 1950s as Korean martial arts schools merged and adopted a common name in the mid-1950s. In 1955 the term taekwondo was widely adopted. Two international lineages emerged: the ITF, founded in 1966 under Choi Hong Hi, and the WT (originally WTF), formed in 1973 for sport taekwondo and later recognized as the Olympic federation.

Competition and training in sport taekwondo, governed by World Taekwondo, centers on sparring (kyorugi) and poomsae (forms). Sparring uses protective equipment and electronic scoring in many events, while poomsae are set patterns performed solo or in pairs. Students train in conditioning, kicking techniques, blocks, and footwork, with belt ranks indicating progress. The practice may also include self-defense principles and, depending on the organization, breaking boards or demonstrations.

Global reach and culture: Taekwondo has millions of practitioners worldwide and is integrated into school programs and national sports programs. It was an official Olympic sport for men and women in 2000 and has continued to feature in subsequent Games. Core tenets often associated with taekwondo include courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.