Taekwondo (sometimes written as taekwon-do or tae kwon do) is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. Considering the number of practitioners worldwide, it's clear that taekwondo is the world's most popular martial art.
Translated from Korean, 'tae' means foot, 'kwon' means fist, and 'do' means way (sometimes interpreted as art). Loosely translated, this means: "the way of destroying with the hands and feet." Some translate it as: "the art of punching and kicking."
Popularity of Taekwon-do
The popularity of taekwondo has led to the development of the martial art in various ways. The art or sport encompasses various domains: combat techniques, self-defense, art, sport, meditation, and philosophy. In both South and North Korea, taekwondo is incorporated into military training.
Styles of Taekwon-do: WT and ITF
Traditional taekwondo is n't actually competitive , but stems from military origins with a strong emphasis on deadly attack techniques. Modern taekwondo places more emphasis on control and self-defense.
There are two formal styles of this sport. Both have their own world governing bodies: the WT (World Taekwondo Federation) and the ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation).
This is reflected in virtually every aspect of taekwondo. The competitive sparring system is completely different in both styles, as are the patterns.
When taekwondo is practiced in its complete form, sufficient attention is paid to the core physical elements: patterns (tuls or poomsee), sparring (kyorugi or matsogi), self-defense (hosinsul), breaking techniques (gyok pa), and specialized techniques. However, studying theory and philosophy should also be an integral part of the curriculum.
While there are significant differences between the two main schools of thought and between the various organizations, the art can generally be described as one that emphasizes powerful kicking techniques from a mobile stance. The practitioner utilizes the greater reach and strength of the legs compared to the arms.
The training generally involves a system of blocking, kicking, punching, open hand strikes and sometimes also various throws, sweeps and joint locks.
Taekwon-do materials
Taekwon-do training requires various materials. The type of uniform required varies by style. WT Taekwondo uses modern V-neck uniforms, while ITF Taekwon-do uses the authentic ITF dobok.
Furthermore, shin and forearm protectors, a head protector and chest armor are used in WTF Taekwondo.
In ITF, safety equipment is used, consisting of a pair of gloves and foot guards. Nowadays, head protection is also almost always mandatory. Shin guards are also sometimes used in this style.
For both styles, a mouthguard is recommended, and groin protection is mandatory for men. Here you'll find an overview of all the necessary Taekwon-Do equipment.
During training, different types of kick shields, focus pads and floppy mitts are often used.
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