The History Of Taekwon-Do

Taekwon-Do is a relatively young martial art, developed by a Korean General following the end of the Korean War in the 1950's, but the Korean martial arts that Taekwon-Do is based on have a rich heritage. There is evidence of stylised fighting arts that date from around 2000 years ago. The martial arts were used by the Korean warrior-monks & the Korean nobility for use on the battlefields of Korea in defence of their homeland, repelling various invasions by the Mongols, Chinese & the Japanese.

An early form of this fighting art was called Soo Bahk & this was thought to be practiced by the Hwa Rang, the Korean equivalent of the Japanese Samurai. Further influences came from China, this style was known as Gwonbeop. From these early forms of fighting styles, a martial art originated which featured a superior way of fighting using the feet to kick & destroy the enemy. This style, called Taekkyeon, was to develop & many centuries later was to be the foundation of the modern art of Taekwon-Do. A further influence on the development of Taekwon-Do was the Japanese art of Shotokan Karate.

These martial arts flourished during the Goryeo  & Joseon Dynasties & continued to be practiced until 1910 when Korea was invaded & formally annexed by Japan. During this occupation the traditional Korean martial arts were forced underground & it wasn’t until after the end of WW2 in 1945, that the Korean arts surfaced once again. 

The people of Korea have a strong sense of national pride & spirit, due to the history of invasions & occupations by their neighbouring countries & it was decided to develop a Korean martial art to help to restore the Korean peoples pride after the brutal Japanese occupation. This art was based on the “lost” arts & was developed by a General in the South Korean Army, called Choi Hong Hi. This art was officially named Taekwon-Do on the 11th April 1955. 

The art of Taekwon-Do involves the skilled application of punches, kicks, sweeps, throws, blocks, dodges, strikes and interception with the hands, arms & feet to ensure the rapid destruction of an aggressor.

Taekwon-Do is renowned throughout the world for its dynamic kicking style, with fast & powerful jumping & spinning kicks used to create a beautiful but dangerous art.

Taekwon-Do literally translates into the "Art of Foot and Hand"