Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its spectacular array of fluid and power full kicks. It’s more than physical fighting skill it is a discipline that shows a way of enhancing our spirit and through training your mind and body.

Taekwondo literally translates to: Tae = to strike or block with foot, Kwon = to strike or block with hand or fist, Do = the way of or discipline. Putting these together they mean the art of kicking and punching or the art of unarmed combat.

History of Taekwondo
The origins of Korean martial arts can be traced back to about 37BC. These earliest forms of martial arts were known as Taek Kyon. Evidence of martial arts being practise can be found in tombs and wall paintings which show men in fighting stances. Some paintings were also found in tombs which show us that the person buried in the tomb practiced Taekwondo while he was alive or it tells us the people practiced it. Some also believe these pictures show that people enjoyed dancing and singing.

As Time went on three kingdoms were created 1. Koguryo (37BC – 668AD) 2. Paekje (18BC – 600AD) and 3. Silla (57 BC – 935AD). These Kingdoms all had their own trained warriors of which martial arts were considered one of the most important subjects of learning. The warriors were trained to defend the kingdom and were prepare to lay down their life. Taekwondo then, was said to be the basis of martial arts because of its ability to build strength and train the body to be used as a weapon if the need arose.

Koguryo Kingdom
This Kingdom was founded in 37BC in the north of Korea . They were surrounded by hostile Chinese tribes to the north therefore they founded a strong group of warriors also known as Sonbae (meaning man of virtue who never recoils from fighting). This helped to retain the kingdoms power.

The Sonbae benefited society greatly. They devoted themselves to their nation and helped to build roads and other buildings. As well as this they studied history and literary arts. Proof of the existence of the Koguryo practicing Taekwondo has been found in tombs. Wall paintings and murals depicting people in combat have been discovered.

Paekje and Silla Kingdoms
The Kingdom of Silla was founded in 57BC and was located on the south eastern part of the Korean peninsula. Unlike the Koguryo, the Silla had no immediate threat of attack from outside. However, when the Paekje were formed on the western side and threats of invasion from the Koguryo were imminent, Silla needed to arm itself.

Like the Sonbae in Koguryo, Silla also had its warriors. These were called the Hwarangdo. The principle behind them is very similar. They devoted themselves to their kingdom and studied hard. Chronicles have described their lives as being ones of special selection as only the ones who were chosen through contests could become Hwarangs. A picture on the left shows a contest or festival in which the warriors showed of their skills so they could be chosen. The Hwarangs lived together and were ready to lay down their lives in times of war.

The Silla kingdom were the first to use hand and foot techniques in their martial art, just as modern day Taekwondo. The Silla also helped in the unification of the three kingdoms.

Taekwondo Toady
Upon liberation of Korea from the Japanese colonial rule after World War II, the Korean people began recovering the thought of self-reliance and the traditional folkloric games resumed their popularity. Song Duk-Ki, afore-mentioned master of Taekkyon, presented a demonstration of the martial art before the first republic of Korea president Syngman Rhee on the occasion of his birthday, clearly distinguishing Taekwondo from the Japanese Karate which had been introduced by the Japanese rulers.

Martial arts experts began opening Taekwondo gymnasiums all over the country after the end of Korean War [1950-1953]. Taekwondo became extremely popular and 2,000 Taekwondo masters were trained and dispatched to more than 100 countries.

After Taekwondo was nominated as a national martial art in 1971, the Kukkiwon was founded in 1972 and used as the headquarters as well as the site of various Taekwondo competitions. Then a year later, in 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation was established. In 1973, the biennial World Taekwondo Championships was organized.

In 1984, Taekwondo was admitted to the Asian games as an official event. In 1975, Taekwondo was accepted as an official sport by the U.S Amateur Athletic Union [AAU] and also admitted to the General Association of International Sports Federations [GAISF], followed by the adoption of official sports event by the International Council of Military Sports [CISM] in 1976. The WTF became an IOC-recognized sports federation in 1980, making Taekwondo an Olympic sport. Then the adoption of Taekwondo as an official event was followed by the world games in 1981, the pan-American games in 1986, and finally by the Sydney 2000 Olympics in 1994 and then Athens 2004 Olympic Games in 2000. On November 29, 2002 , the 114th IOC Session also confirmed the inclusion of Taekwondo in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Taekwondo is also confirmed for 2012 in London.