What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean Martial Art, Self Defense and Official Olympic Sport. Known by various names in the past the origins were thought to be over 2600 years ago, however in recent times carbon dating evidence has proven that in fact Taekwondo is in excess of 4000 years old making it the officially the oldest martial art around today.

"Taekwondo" roughly means "the art of striking with feet or fist". However, way of life of a warrior, is a more accurate description.

Taekwondo practitioners embrace the principles of inner strength, humility, respect and honor. It is not uncommon for a high ranking Taekwondo practitioner to be describe as having a "quiet strength" or "a certain air about them", without the speaker even knowing about the subjects level of mastery or skill.

The art of Taekwondo is prominently leg orientated as it was 2000 years ago when practiced by the Hwarang, a group of Korean knights, dedicated to unifying the country. Taekwondo Practitioners are known through out the martial art community for their mastership of devastating and often spectacular kicking techniques. However a large portion of the syllabus involves take downs, throws, holds and pressure points.

The circular movements and techniques of Taekwondo make the art on of the best and single most popular form of self defense in the world. Students of Taekwondo are taught to fend off much larger and stronger attackers as well as multiple attackers.

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)

The New Zealand Taekwondo Federation (NZTF) is the only official representative, and governing body, of the World Taekwondo Federation within New Zealand. The WTF is the single largest martial art organization in the world, and has national associations in 161 countries. With an organization as large as the WTF it is hard to accurately count members but one estimate is well in excess of 56 million people.

Through the efforts of the WTF and its president, Dr Un Yong Kim, Taekwondo is recognized as as a full Olympic medal sport. The WTF is also fully endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Assembly of International Sport Federations (GAIF). In New Zealand only NZTF black-belts can officially represent/compete for their country as WTF events and Olympic games.