Taekwondo: a sport full of history and principles

Taekwondo shows how to improve the well-being of body and mind through the art of fighting with feet and hands.

Taekwondo, originally from South Korea, is a martial art that stands out for its precise punching and kicking movements. In addition, since 2000 it has been officially considered an Olympic sport.

Its main objectives are to improve attention and concentration, motor coordination, physical strength, power and flexibility. It also provides several other benefits, including the harmonization of body and mind, contributing to personal growth and community well-being.

Incorporating Korean philosophical principles, the term taekwondo combines “tae” (feet), “kwon” (hands) and “do” (spiritual path). As such, it reflects the discipline and self-control required, guiding practitioners on their personal journey. Read on to learn all about this fascinating practice, from its defensive and offensive techniques to the cultural and spiritual values ​​that shape its practitioners.

Origin and history of the sport

Taekwondo has its roots in South Korea, when it was divided into three kingdoms, the smallest of which, Silla, was frequently invaded. Formed by King Ching Heung of the 24th Silla dynasty, a military elite called hwarangdo, similar to the Japanese samurai, emerged to protect that kingdom.

These warriors not only used weapons such as swords, spears, and bows and arrows, but also developed martial techniques focused on movements using the feet and hands, known as soo bak. Between 924 and 1392, masters created 25 combat stances, establishing the basis of the sport.

The impact of Japanese occupation, reunification and recognition

From 1909 to 1945, the Japanese presence in Korea prohibited the practice of Korean martial arts. Despite this, many Koreans continued to train in secret. Finally, after the end of World War II, the practice was able to return to the surface.

In 1955, 10 years after the end of the conflicts, General Choi Hong Hee managed to unify several martial arts schools, thus giving rise to taekwondo. In 1961, the Korea Taesudo Association was created, which in 1965 became the Korean Taekwondo Association.

Despite having philosophical bases and origins, around the 60s, this martial art began to be recognized as a sport in 1964, while the first national championship took place in Seoul, and the first world championship was held in 1973, in the same city.

That same year, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was founded, tasked with promoting the rules and principles of the sport. Currently, the practice of taekwondo is regulated by the following institutions: International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), created in 1966, and the WTF.

Thanks to the resilience and dedication of many fighters during the Japanese occupation and the vision of leaders like Choi Hong Hee, taekwondo spread throughout the world and became one of the most widely practiced martial arts globally.

principles

Practicing taekwondo is not just about learning combat techniques, but also about adopting five essential principles that guide practitioners on their personal and social journey:

• Courtesy (Ye Ui): highlights the importance of respect and consideration for others;
• Integrity (Yom Chi): involves being honest and morally correct in all actions;
• Perseverance (In Nae): teaches you to remain firm even in the face of challenges and difficulties;
• Self-Control (Guk Gi): it is crucial both in the practice of techniques and in everyday life, helping to maintain calm and discipline;
• The Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool): encourages practitioners to face adversity with courage and determination, without ever giving up.

Rules

• The combat area is a rectangle measuring 8 x 8 meters. Fights are divided into three rounds lasting two minutes each, with a one-minute interval between rounds.
• Competitors score points by landing kicks and punches on the opponent's body in areas covered by the protectors. In the event of a tie, an additional round must be contested.
• Judges and referees monitor the fight to ensure that the rules are followed and to properly score the competitors.

Penalties and scoring

If an athlete commits an infraction during the fight, penalties such as warnings or point deductions will be applied. Check out the main ones:

• (Warning) Kyong-go: minor penalty that results in the deduction of half a point. Leaving the competition area, intentionally avoiding the fight, or committing minor fouls are some examples.
• (Point Deduction) Gam-jeom: more severe punishment that results in points being deducted. Examples: attacking the area below the waist, using illegal strikes, or acting in unsportsmanlike behavior.
• Disqualification: This can happen if the athlete engages in extremely unsportsmanlike conduct during the fight, deliberately using prohibited techniques, or accumulating a high number of minor penalties.
• Technical Fouls: grabbing an opponent, pushing, or committing dangerous acts that could cause injury are actions included in this category.

The winner is the one who scores the most points in the three rounds or, in the event of a tie, the first to score in the additional round. In addition, the winner is the one who has a 12-point advantage after the second round, manages to knock out the opponent, or has the opponent disqualified for serious foul play.

Uniform and protective equipment

Similar to the judo kimono, but without a front opening, the taekwondo training uniform includes the white dobok garment (pants and “jacket”) and belts that indicate the level of each practitioner.

The materials used differ when it comes to training versus competitions. For training, athletes use rackets, punching bags and kick pads. In competitions, athletes use various equipment such as chest, forearm, head, mouth, shin and genital protectors, as well as socks and electronic gloves.

In addition, socks and gloves equipped with an intelligent system with sensors automatically record points when detecting impacts in protected areas, thus ensuring precision and safety during combat.

Sport categories

The sport has more than one type, with kyorugi (wrestling) being the best known. Competitors are divided into weight classes such as light, medium and heavy, for both men and women. In addition, there are also age divisions, allowing athletes of all ages, from children to seniors, to participate, as well as a category focused on the execution of movements.

Taekwondo Graduations

In the sport, the different colored belts represent the ranks in taekwondo, indicating the level of skill and experience of the practitioner. Thus, the ranks start with the white belt (beginners), known as Gubs, and go up to the black belt (advanced levels), called Dans. 

The progression from Gub to Dan requires years of dedication and continuous practice, through a structure that not only facilitates progressive learning, but also motivates practitioners to constantly seek technical and personal improvement.

Taekwondo as an Olympic sport

Taekwondo made its debut as an exhibition sport at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992. However, it was at the Sydney Games in 2000 that it was officially included as an Olympic sport, where it became worth medals.

Since then, this sport has been a constant presence in Olympic Games. Flávia Falavigna won Brazil's first Olympic medal in the sport in Beijing in 2008. In 2016, Maicon Siqueira secured another bronze medal for Brazil at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

Taekwondo Paralympics

At the Paralympic Games, Taekwondo debuted at the Tokyo 2020 edition, held in 2021. In parataekwondo, there are two main classes:

• K43, for those with bilateral amputation or bilateral dysmelia from the elbow to the hand;
• K44, for those with unilateral amputation, monoplegia, unilateral dysmelia, mild hemiplegia, or lower limbs of different sizes. Incidentally, in this category up to 61 kg, Nathan Torquato made history by winning the first Paralympic gold medal for our country.

Brazil had a remarkable performance in its debut in Paralympic taekwondo, finishing with 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal.

Taekwondo Dictionary

Here are some of the main terms used in taekwondo:

• dobok: training uniform.
• Dojang: Training location.
• Gup (or Kup): Graduation levels for colored belts.
• Then: Graduation levels for black belts.
• Kihap: Shout used during attack or defense.
• poomsae: Sequences of standardized movements (shapes).
• Charyeot: Attention (attention position).
• Kyong-rye: Greeting or bow.
• Joon-bi: Prepare (ready position).
• Yes-jak: To start.
• Kal-yeo: Stop.
• Keuman: End or stop completely.
• Tae: Feet.
• Kwon: Hands.
• Do: Path or art.
• Hoshinsul: Self-defense techniques.
• Gyrogi: Fight or combat.
• Sabomnim: Instructor or master.

Taekwondo in Brazil

Taekwondo began in Brazil in 1970, when master Song Min Cho, a pioneer in teaching this martial art in the country, arrived in São Paulo.

Shortly after, other Korean masters established themselves in various regions of Brazil, such as Woo Jae Lee in Rio de Janeiro, Soon Myong Choi in Brasília, Jung Do Lim in Bahia, Te Bo Lee in Rio Grande do Sul and Hong Soon Kang in Espírito Santo.

Rio de Janeiro hosted the first major Brazilian Taekwondo Championship in 1973. Later, in 1987, the creation of the Brazilian Taekwondo Confederation (CBTKD) regulated and promoted the sport in the country.

FAQ

Check out some of the main questions related to the sport and its practice:

What is the age to start taekwondo?

Usually from 4 years old.

What is the name of the person who does taekwondo?

The practitioner of this fight is known as a Taekwondo practitioner.

Why shout in taekwondo?

Some of the most common reasons for shouting during combat are to increase the force of blows, intimidate the opponent, and also help improve concentration.

What is the strongest kick in taekwondo?

The strongest kick in taekwondo is the spinning kick.

Can you punch in taekwondo?

You can punch in taekwondo, as long as it is in permitted areas.

Is it possible to learn taekwondo alone?

It can be difficult to learn this martial art without any kind of guidance, so it is recommended to have an instructor.

How long is a taekwondo class?

In general, a taekwondo class lasts 1 hour.

So, after learning more about how practicing this martial art can be beneficial to your life in general, do you want to try it? Take advantage of your visit and learn more about it too the athletes who have won the most medals in the Olympics.