Although
Taekwondo was first developed over 20 centuries ago in Korea, it was not
officially recognized as a system of self-defense until the 1950's when
a group of leading Korean martial artists came together and unified their
various art forms under a single style of hand and feet fighting. They
named this martial art Taekwondo, and in the last 30 years have developed
it into one of the most effective styles of unarmed self-defense in the
world.
Taekwondo
is also a free-fighting combat sport in which an individual uses his or her
bare hands and feet to repel an opponent. Taekwondo literally means the "way
of kicking and punching." It consists of sharp, strong angular movements with
free flowing circular movements to produce a balance of beauty and power.
With the addition of Taekwondo's trademark kicking techniques (or rather taekkyon's
kicking techniques) it is a complete system of self-defense and personal improvement.
All of its activities are based on the defensive attitude that originally
developed for protection against enemy attacks.
The
most important fact about Taekwondo is that it is both a superior art of self-defense
and a technique of mental discipline. It gives its practitioners self-confidence
that provides an advantage over a mentally weaker opponent. This mental characteristic
along with the physical ability is beneficial to the mental life of individuals
as well as to their families and friends. With its practical means of self
defense, its complete regimen of physical conditioning, and its aid to improved
concentration and mental performances, Taekwondo offers a total fitness program
integrating mind, body and spirit.
Today,
Taekwondo is the most recognized Korean Martial Art, and a popular international
sport. It was a demonstration sport at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympic Games,
and will be a medal sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
Master
Choo talks about History of tkd
ITA
rules of etiquette 
