Taekwondo History

The historical background of Taekwondo development, has spanned four chronological ages: Ancient Times, Middle ages, Modern Ages and Present Times.

There were three kingdoms:

Koguryo Dynasty founded in 37 B.C.- 668 A.D. was located on the northern part of the Korean peninsula and Teakkyon was practiced (an ancient style of Taekwondo)

Paekje Dynasty founded in 18 B.C.- 660 A.D. had horse back riding, archery and bare hand fighting arts which were very popular in the military and with the common civilians

Silla Dynasty founded in 57 B.C.- 935 A.D. was located on the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula and Soo Bak was practiced (another ancient style of Taekwondo). The Silla dynasty unified the three kingdoms for three centuries, with the help of a social organization called the Hwa-Rang do, by taking over Paekje in 668 A.D. and then Koguryo in 670 A.D.

The Koryo Dynasty 935-1392 A.D. Soo bak (an ancient style of Taekwondo) developed systematically and made it mandatory for examination of military selection. It was also promoted as a form of healthy exercise and a spectator sport with competitions held in the royal court.

The Yi Dynasty 1392-1910 brought the change of religion from Buddhism to Confucianism, giving more importance on the literary arts than the martial arts. In 1910 the Japanese forcibly occupied the Yi Dynasty and banned the Korean martial arts, sports, games, cultural activities, and the language, trying to destroy Korean identity. Some masters taught and practiced in secret so the martial art would survive the 35 years the Japanese had occupied Korea.

1945 the year Korea became liberated. The Korean people started to rebuild their culture and practice the many styles of martial arts. In 1961 Tang Soo Do Association unifying all the know styles Taekkyon, Soo Bak Do, Tang Soo Do, etc. In 1965 the Tang Soo Do changed its name to the Korean Taekwondo Association. January 17, 1971 Un Yong Kim became the president of the (K.T.A). In 1972 the Kuk Ki Kwon (Institute for the National Sport) was established in Seoul, Korea and is now the headquarters of the (W.T.F). In 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation was established under Un Yong Kim.

In 1974 the United States Amateur Athletic Union recognized Taekwondo as an official sport.

In 1975 Taekwondo became members of the International Sports Federation. In 1976 Taekwondo was recognized by the International Military Sports Council and the General Assembly of International Sports Federation.

In 1980 World Taekwondo Federation was admitted into the International Olympic Committee. In 1983 Tae Kwon Do was add as an event in the Pan American Sports Committee. In 1986 Tae Kwon Do was an event in the Asian Games which were held in Seoul, Korea.

In 1988 and 1992 Taekwondo was a demonstration event in the Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea and Barcelona, Spain. In 2000 Taekwondo became a medal event in the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Today Taekwondo is practice in more than 120 countries and there are about 30 million members in the World Taekwondo Federation. There are two other international Korean organization: Korean Soo Bak Do under Grandmaster Hwang Ki and the International Taekwondo Federation under General Hi Hong Choi.

From its beginning Taekwondo practitioners have been pasting down this ancient legacy from teacher to student, from parent to child and from elders to youngsters.

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