King Tiger Martial Arts / Taekwondo

Approximately 1300 years ago, an ancient form of unarmed combat called Tae Kyon was mainly a form of foot fighting. Through the centuries, strong hand and fist techniques were introduced into this method of combat. This is how the present day Tae Kwon Do evolved.

Taekwondo translated literally means the "art of foot and hand fighting" and is the Korean art of self-defense. "Tae" means to kick, jump or smash with the foot. "Kwon" denotes a fist - mainly to punch, or destroy with the hand or fist. "Do" is the art, the way, the method.

The modern period of Taekwondo began with the liberation of Korea in 1945 after World War II. Korea wanted to eliminate Japanese influences (in martial arts) and began to unite the various martial arts schools and styles into a single style and national sport. In 1965, the name Taekwondo was chosen to represent this unified style of Korean martial arts.

The present Kukkiwon was finished in 1972 and was used as the central gymnasium as well as the site of various Taekwondo competitions. A year later on May 28, 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) came into existence. The first World Taekwondo Championships were also held in 1973. In 1980 the World Taekwondo Federation was granted recognition by the International Olympic Committe (IOC). Then the adoption of Taekwondo as an official event was followed by the World Games in 1981, the Pan-American games in 1986, and finally by the 2000 Olympics held in Australia.