History of Taekwondo
Taekwondo, the “way of kicking and punching,” finds its roots beginning more than 2,000 years ago. It began as a style known as “Subak” or “Taekyon” and was developed as a way of training the mind and body in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo under the name of “Sunbae.” Paintings of unarmed men using very similar techniques to those of modern-day Taekwondo have been found on the ceilings of royal tombs. It was the backbone of the Hwarangdo during the Silla Dynasty and aimed to produce leaders of the countries.
Because of Korea’s location, Taekwondo has adopted many similarities between Karate and Kung Fu from its nearby countries of Japan and China, including linear movements and circular patterns. Taekwondo seeks coordinated growth and improvements in life through its many different activities.
The training was initially intended only for the royal families and military. However, during the Yi Dynasty (1397-1907), teaching to the general public began, and the focus changed to more of a recreational and physical fitness art style.
The first school was started in Yong Chun, Seoul, South Korea, in 1945. However, many different schools were opening with different styles simultaneously, claiming to be of “Korean Tradition.” It wasn’t until 1957 that General Hong Hi Choi (known as the father of Taekwondo) suggested that the name Taekwondo be the nationally accepted name of the art. On September 14, 1961, an official decree was finally made to call it Taekwondo, and the formed Korea Taekwondo (KTA) with the general being elected as the first president.
A short time later, the art made its way to the USA, and the US Taekwondo Association was formed in 1967, which was then replaced 7 years later by The US Taekwondo Federation.
In 1988, it was a demonstration event in the Olympics and became an official medal sport in 2000 for the Sydney Games. An estimated 80 million people, spanning 210 countries, currently training in the art.
TECHNIQUES
Stance – Seogi – suh gee
Horseriding Stance – chachoomseogi – cha choom suh gee
Walking Stance – Apseogi – Ahp Suh gee
Low Front Stance – Apkubi – Ahp Koo Bee
Back Stance – Dwikobi – Dwee Koe Bee
Tiger Stance – Beom Seogi – Bee ohm Suh gee
Fighting Stance – Kyorugi seogi – Kie yo rue gee suh gee
Block – Mahki – Mah key
Low block – Ahrae mahki – Ah rae mah key
Middle block – Mahngtong mahki – Mong tong mah key
High block – Eolgul mahki – Ool gool mah key
In-Out middle block – Bakat mahki – Bah cot Mah kee
Out-in middle block – An mahki – Ahn Mah kee
Knife hand strike – Han sonal chigi – Hahn Sahnahl cheegee
Double knife low – Ju Sonal ahrae mahki – Joo Sahnahl Ah rae mah key
Double knife middle – Ju Sonal Mahngton mahki – Joo Sahnahl mong tong mah key
Kick – Chagi – Chah gee
Front Kick – Ap chagi – Ahp chah gee
Front stretch kick – Apbola chagi – Ahp bowl ah chah gee
Roundhouse kick – Dulya chagi – Dool ya chah gee
Side kick – Yup chagi – Yup chah gee
Back kick – Dwi yup chagi – Dwee yup chah gee
COUNTING
1 – Hanah – Hah nah
2 – Dul – dool
3 – Saet – set
4 – Naet – net
5 – Dasut – Dah sut
6 – Yasut – Yah sut
7 – Ilgup – Ill gup
8 – Yadup – you dupe
9 – Ahop – ah hope
10 – Yul – Yool
11 – Yul hanah – Yool hah nah
12 – Yul dool – Yool dool
13 – Yul set – Yool set
14 – Yul net – Yool net
15 – Yul dasut – Yool dah sut
16 – Yul yasut – Yool yah sut
17 – Yul ilgup – Yool ill gup
18 – Yul yadup – Yool you dupe
19 – Yul ahop – Yool ah hope
20 – Samul – Sah mool
30 – Soreun – Sore ee un
40 – Maheun – Mah hee un
50 – Sheen – She un
ORDER COUNTING
First – Il – Ill
Second – Ee – Eee
Third – Sam – Sahm
Fourth – Sah – Sah
Fifth – Oh – Oh
Sixth – Yook – Yuke
Seventh – Chil – Chill
Eighth – Pal – Pahl
Ninth – Koo – Koo
Tenth – Ship – Ship
