The history of taekwondo

Taekwondo is a modern Korean martial art that was founded on April 11, 1955 in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, by General Choi Hong Hi. It is one of the most popular and effective martial arts in the world, known for its variety and spectacularity of its kicking techniques. The word taekwondo means “the way of the foot and the fist” in Korean.

Taekwondo has its roots in ancient Korean martial arts such as taekkyon and subak, which were practiced by the warriors of the three rival kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje between the 1st century BC and the 7th century AD. These martial arts were influenced by Chinese and Japanese styles, as well as by the observation of animal fights.

Taekkyon and subak were unified in the Hwarangdo, a martial, educational and social organization that trained the elite of the Silla kingdom. The Hwarangdo followed a code of honor based on loyalty to the nation, respect for parents, honesty, courage in battle and avoidance of unnecessary violence. This code is considered the philosophical basis of modern taekwondo.

Taekwondo survived through the centuries despite the political and social changes that affected Korea. It was especially preserved by Buddhist monks who used it as a way of self-defense and spiritual cultivation. During the Japanese occupation (1910-1945), taekwondo was banned and many masters had to flee or hide their practice.

After Korea regained its independence, taekwondo emerged as a national symbol and a way of unifying the people. General Choi Hong Hi, who had learned karate in Japan, combined it with taekkyon and other Korean martial arts to create a new style that he named taekwondo. He also founded the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) in 1966 in Canada.

Taekwondo spread rapidly around the world thanks to the efforts of Korean masters who traveled to teach it in different countries. In 1973, another organization was created in South Korea: the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), which promoted taekwondo as an Olympic sport. Taekwondo made its debut as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Olympic Games and became an official sport in the 2000 Olympic Games.

Today, taekwondo is practiced by millions of people of all ages and backgrounds. It offers many benefits for physical, mental and emotional health. It also fosters values such as discipline, respect, perseverance and self-confidence. Taekwondo is more than a martial art or a sport; it is a way of life.

Sources:

• Taekwondo – Wikipedia
• Taekwondo: origen e historia – Solo Artes Marciales
• Historia del TKD en el Mundo – Federación Mexicana de Taekwondo