What is Taekwondo?

The name "Taekwondo" is derived from three Korean words: "Tae" (meaning "foot" or "to strike with the foot"), "Kwon" (meaning "fist" or "to strike with the hand"), and "Do" (meaning "way" or "art"). Therefore, Taekwondo can be translated as "the way of the foot and fist." 

History: Taekwondo has ancient roots in Korea and was influenced by various Korean martial arts, as well as Chinese and Japanese martial arts. It became more formalized and organized in the mid-20th century, and its name was officially recognized as "Taekwondo" in 1955. 

Forms (Poomsae/Kata): These are choreographed patterns of movement that simulate various attack and defense scenarios. Practitioners perform these forms as a way to develop techniques, balance, and concentration. 

Sparring (Kyorugi): Taekwondo competitions often involve sparring, where practitioners face off against each other to score points by landing kicks and punches on specific target areas (e.g., head, torso) while adhering to rules and regulations. 

Self-Defense: While Taekwondo has a strong sports component, its techniques can also be applied to self-defense. Practitioners learn how to defend themselves against physical threats using their kicks, punches, and other techniques. 

Olympic Sport: Taekwondo is an Olympic sport and has been part of the Olympic program since the 2000 Sydney Games. Olympic Taekwondo consists of sparring matches within weight categories for both men and women. 

Belts and Ranking: Taekwondo, like many martial arts, uses a belt ranking system to indicate a practitioner's skill level. Students progress through different colored belts as they advance in skill and knowledge.