As a two thousand year old martial art form, Tae Kwon Do has withstood the test of time. One of the most popular forms of martial artistry, Tae Kwon Do brings forth traditional Korean combat in “the art of kicking and punching.” Practitioners employ a variety of blocks, kicks, punches, and open handed strikes in competition, training, and sparring. The combination of kicks that are employed is one of the stand out characteristics of Tae Kwon Do martial artistry, setting it apart from other forms of traditional Asian combat.
Early Koreans first developed Tae Kwon Do techniques as a compliment to their weaponry skills, making them versatile warriors and formidable foes. For hundreds of years, Korean martial artistry underwent mainstream changes, innovations, and cultural influences without settling into a definitive art form. In 1909, Japan came to occupy Korea, thus influencing Korean culture, including martial arts. Following World War II, Korean martial artists returned to a purer form of Tae Kwon Do without the outside influences Japanese martial art forms. During the 1950’s, modern Tae Kwon Do was developed. Since that time, the World Taekwondo Federation has been established and Tae Kwon Do has made appearances in athletic competitions around the world, including the World Games, Pan American Games, and All Africa Games. In 1992, Tae Kwon Do made its appearance as a demonstration sport in the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. With much success and support, the Olympic Committee added Tae Kwon Do as a full Olympic sport for the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia.
Modern martial artists still continue instruction and training in Tae Kwon Do, only adding the element of Martial Arts Equipment for superior performance. Schools and studios around the world continue to further develop Tae Kwon Do, as it continues to be one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world.
