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Taekwon-Do
Although the origins of the martial arts are shrouded in mystery,
we consider it an undeniable fact that from time immemorial there have
been physical actions involving the use of the hands and feet for
purpose of self-protection. If we were to define these physical
actions as "Taekwon- Do", any country might claim credit for inventing
Taekwon-Do. There is, however, scant resemblance between Taekwon-Do,
as it is practiced today, and the crude forms of unarmed combat
developed in the past.
| Modern Taekwon-Do differs greatly from other
martial arts. In fact, no other martial art is so advanced with
regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of its technique or
the over-all physical fitness it imparts to its practitioners.
Technically, 1955 signalled the beginning of Taekwon-Do as a
formally recognized art in Korea. During that year, a special
board was formed which included leading master instructors,
historians, and prominent leaders of society. A number of names
for the new martial art were submitted. On the 11th of April, the
board summoned by Gen. Choi, decided on the name of Taekwon-Do
which had been submitted by him. This single unified name of
Taekwon-Do replaced the different and confusing terms; Dang Soo,
Gong Soo, Taek Kyon, Kwon Bup, etc. |
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In 1959, Taekwon-Do spread beyond its national boundaries. The
father of Taekwon-Do and nineteen of his top black belt holders toured
the Far East. The tour was a major success, astounding all spectators
with the excellence of the Taekwon-Do techniques. Many of these black
belt holders such as Nam Tae Hi, President of the Asia Taekwon-Do
Federation; Colonel Ko Jae Chun, the 5th Chief of Taekwon-Do
instructors in Vietnam; Colonel Baek Joon Gi, the 2nd Chief instructor
in Vietnam; Brigadier Gen. Woo Jong Lim; Mr. Han Cha Kyo, the Head
Instructor in Singapore and Mr. Cha Soo Young, presently an
international instructor in Washington D.C. eventually went on to
spread the art to the world.
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In this year, Choi was elevated to two illustrious
posts; President of his newly formed Korea Taekwon-Do Association
and deputy commander of the 2nd Army in Tae Gu. In 1965 Ambassador
Choi, retired two star general, was appointed by the Government of
the Republic of Korea to lead a goodwill mission to West Germany,
Italy, Turkey, United-Arab Republic, Malaysia, and Singapore. This
trip is significant in that the Ambassador, for the first time in
Korean history, declared Taekwon-Do as the national martial art of
Korea. |
This was the basis not only for establishing Taekwon-Do
Associations in these countries but also the formation of the
International Taekwon-Do Federation as it is known today. In 1966, the
dream of the sickly young student of calligraphy, who rose to
Ambassador and the Association President of the most respected martial
art in the world came true. On the 22nd of March, the International
Taekwon-Do Federation was formed with associations in Vietnam,
Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, the United States, Turkey, Italy,
Arab Republic of Egypt and Korea.
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