and as advertised, utilizes kicks, punches and blocks as a means of combat.
Some believe it to be the most popular martial arts in the world, practiced by some 70 million people of all ages and sexes in about 200 countries around the world.
The extent of its popularity was proven in 2000,
when it was adopted as an event in the Summer Olympic Games.
Taekwondo began to take off as a
national sport in the 1950s, during and right after the Korean War.
Military men and martial artists such as Choi Hong-hi and Nam Tae-hi played
a major role in promoting the tradition,
impressing Korean President Rhee Syngman so much that he asked them to teach the art to the Korean Army, where it is still taught to soldiers
Taewondo distinguishes itself from other martial arts such as karate
or kung fu with its emphasis on kicks, particularly from a moving position. Students usually learn a number of other things,
including patterns, breaking objects like boards and ice and spiritual training. Practitioners usually wear a white uniform with a belt:
the color of which determines the rank of the practitioner.
The darker the color, the higher the rank, with black being the highest.
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The two biggest Taekwondo organizations in the world are
the International Taekwon-Do Federation and World Taekwondo Federation, the latter of which is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
More Info
International Taekwon-Do Federation (www.tkd-itf.org)
World Taekwondo Federation (www.wtf.org
(source-visit korea)
((Taekwondo as a fitness program is very effective in helping children to grow.
young adults and middle-aged or old people to enhance their physical strength,and females(women)to take care of their health and beauty))
young adults and middle-aged or old people to enhance their physical strength,and females(women)to take care of their health and beauty))
