Although Taekwondo was first developed

over 20 centuries ago in Korea, it was

not officially recognized as a system of

self-defense until the 1950s when a group of

leading Korean martial artists came together

and unified their various art forms under a

single style of hand and feet fighting. They

named this martial art Taekwondo, and in the

last 30 years have developed it into one of the

most effective styles of unarmed self-defense

in the world.

Taekwondo is a free-fighting combat sport is

which an individual uses bare hands and feet to

repel an opponent. Taekwondo literally means

the "way of kicking and punching." It consists

of sharp, strong angular movements with free

flowing circular movements to produce a balance

of beauty and power. With the addition of

Taekwondo's trademark kicking techniques it is

a complete system of self-defense and personal

improvement. All of its activities are based on

the defensive attitude that originally

developed for protection against enemy attacks.

The most important fact about Taekwondo is that

it is both a superior art of self-defense and a

technique of mental discipline. It gives its

practitioners self-confidence that provides an

advantage over a weaker opponent. This mental

characteristic along with the physical ability

is beneficial to the mental life of individuals

as well as to their families and friends. With

its practical means of self defense, its

complete regimen of physical conditioning, and

its aid to improved concentration and mental

performances, Taekwondo offers a total fitness

program integrating mind, body and spirit.

Today, Taekwondo is the most recognized Korean

Martial Art, and a popular international sport.

It was a demonstration sport at the 1988 and

1992 Summer Olympic Games, and will be a medal

sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney,

Australia.

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