A Brief Introduction to Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do is a martial art from Korea, added as an official sport of the Olympics in the year 2000. It is one of the, if not the most, popular martial art in the world.
Created in 1955 following World War II, Tae Kwon Do is based on much older styles of martial arts, particularly Subak. In fact, various types of martial arts have existed in Korea for thousands of centuries, as it was essential as a means of defence during the country’s tumultuous past.
Tae Kwon Do was a result of several different schools of martial arts amalgamating following the war. This federation of schools and their individual styles became what is now known as Tae Kwon Do. Some believe that the martial art is a combination of Japanese, Chinese, and traditionally Korean fighting techniques, however it is difficult to verify its exact origins.
What Tae Kwon Do means
Tae translates into smashing or striking with the foot from Korean, Kwon is the same but with the fist, and Do is the art or way. Therefore, Tae Kwon Do means the way or art of the foot and fist. This martial art embraces kicking, punching, jumping, blocking, dodging, and parrying as vital components for practitioners to master. Like many martial arts, it relies on a practitioner’s power, quickness, and accuracy.