Taekwondo

Although primarily a defensive martial art, it also embodies the principle of defence of the weak (now isn’t that quite a cool idea, all the ‘freaks and the geeks, having the ability to defend the weak!) Throughout the Orient, and into India where about 3000BC an Indian prince was recorded as practising killing blows and strikes on his servants; differing forms of fighting and defensive techniques have developed; all taking various aspects of each others style and adding it to their own particular Martial Art.

After the liberation of Korea, at the end of the Second World War, there were 5 main martial art academies in Korea, all practising Taekwondo but in slightly different ways. These families or styles of Taekwondo are Mooduk Kwan, Jido Kwan, Changmu Kwan, Song Kwan and Chung Do Kwan. At ILGI association, we follow Chung Do Kwan.

Now you know where Taekwondo originated from and what it was used for, you will be probably be even surer that you will not be able to go around knocking people off horseback with flying kicks and serving in the Korean army. Me neither!

Taekwondo is taught in schools and colleges throughout Korea in much the same way as we would be taught football in this country. (Wouldn’t it be cool to live in Korea? Just think no football!) All military personnel are also required to do basic Taekwondo hand to hand fighting in their training. The army has a battalion known as 'the Tiger' consisting of 1000 men - all black belts. As mentioned before, Chung Do Kwan started in 1944 under its first leader and in 1957 Master Kyu Uhm became leader, a position which he still holds to this day. In Korea before 1960, Oh do Kwan - the military section of Chung Do Kwan, was given over to General Choi Hang Hi by Master Uhm and was further developed into the style now practised by the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF).

Wakey, wakey!! I am just checking that all those facts and figures have not sent you to sleep…but then again, most of you will have AS so will

Some topics in this essay:
Games Wakey, , Kwan Taekwondo, Orient India, World War, Chung Kwan, Kyu Uhm, South Korean, Korean Kwans, Federation WTF, chung kwan, black belt, martial art, taekwondo federation, taekwondo student,