What Is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a modern Olympic martial art that originates from Korea.  Taekwondo translate from the Korean as the art of smashing with the hand and/or foot.  Related to karate, kung-fu and tangsoodo in origin, it was officially formed in its modern form on the 11th April 1955.

Many aspects of taekwondo differ, just as the styles of karate differ from school to school.  There are several styles of taekwondo, which are split politically into various associations and federations across the world.  All styles of taekwondo share aerobic training, stretches, powerful kicking techniques, breaking and sparring (contact levels differ from no-contact to full-contact).

The largest of the taekwondo associations is the WTF or World Taekwondo Federation, which has its home at the Kukkiwon in Seoul, South Korea.  The ITF or International Taekwondo Federation is the second largest association which has headquarters in Canada and North Korea.

A taekwondo training hall is called a dojang, and a uniform is called a dobok.