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The Origins and History of Taekwondo

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Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and combat sport that has grown tremendously in popularity around the world. But where exactly did it come from? In this article, we’ll explore the origins of taekwondo and trace its development from ancient martial art traditions in Korea to the global phenomenon it is today.

Early Influences on Korean Martial Arts

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From my studies, taekwondo has its roots in the traditional martial arts that were practiced in Korea as early as the 1st century BC. Some of the earliest recorded influence came from Chinese martial arts like Chinese martial arts that were introduced to the Korean peninsula through cultural exchange with neighboring China.

Over centuries, Korean martial arts absorbed techniques from Chinese systems like Shaolin Kung Fu and integrated them with native styles of fighting to develop distinct traditions. For example, taekkyeon, a traditional Korean kick-based martial art that dates back to around the 1st century AD, is considered a major early influence on what would eventually become taekwondo.

Development of Taekwondo in the 20th Century

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It was in the early-to-mid 1900s that the modern roots of taekwondo really started to take shape. After Japan annexed Korea in 1910, native martial arts faded in popularity under Japanese rule. However, following World War 2 and Korea’s liberation in 1945, there was a resurgence of national pride that sparked renewed interest in reviving traditional Korean martial arts.

In the post-War period, various styles of Korean karate and kung fu emerged. In 1955, South Korean general Choi Hong Hi began studying martial arts in Japan and Korea. Drawing on his background in karate, Judo, and native Korean arts, he aimed to unify styles under a single organization. In 1959, he named this synthesis of styles “taekwondo.”

The Spread of Taekwondo Worldwide

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Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Gen. Choi worked tirelessly to promote taekwondo internationally and establish its standing as a distinct, globally recognized system. In 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation was founded to set universal standards and govern international competitions.

Taekwondo’s momentum continued to build when it was demonstrated as a cultural exhibition sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. This massive international stage exposure helped taekwondo truly explode in popularity around the globe. It was then officially added as a medal sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympics – by far raising its profile to new heights.

Today, according to the World Taekwondo Federation, there are over 70 million taekwondo practitioners across 6 continents. While its roots lie in Korean martial arts traditions dating back millennia, through processes of adaptation, innovation and promotion, taekwondo has clearly evolved into a prominent cultural export from Korea with a thriving community worldwide.

So in Summary…

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To answer the question, taekwondo originated in Korea, blending influences from ancient Korean kick-based arts like taekkyeon with Japanese and Chinese martial techniques. In the post-WW2 period, it coalesced into a unified system under Gen. Choi and was spread globally from the 1960s onward. While absorbing styles from neighbors, taekwondo’s foundations remain distinctly Korean and it has become widely recognized internationally as a preeminent cultural symbol of its country of origin.

I hope this helps provide some context on the fascinating origins and development of taekwondo from ancient Korean roots to today’s modern global phenomenon. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Origins of Taekwondo

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Country Year Introduced History
South Korea 1955 Taekwondo developed from traditional martial arts that had been practiced in Korea for centuries. It was standardized and became an Olympic sport.
North Korea 1957 In North Korea, Taekwondo took on a distinct style and emphasized military techniques and physical fitness more than competition or sport.
United States 1950s Taekwondo spread internationally from Korea through the US military presence in South Korea after the Korean War. It became very popular as a martial art and form of exercise.
Worldwide 1960s-present Taekwondo has grown to an internationally practiced sport with governing bodies in most countries. It was added to the Olympics in 2000.

FAQ

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  1. Where did taekwondo originate? Taekwondo basically started in Korea. It kind of developed from Korean martial arts that existed for a long time.
  2. When was taekwondo established as a martial art? Taekwondo was officially recognized in 1955 in South Korea. I guess you could say this is when it became an organized sport that we know today.
  3. What influences were incorporated into taekwondo? While taekwondo developed from traditional Korean martial arts, it alsosort of took influences from karate and Chinese martial arts. So you can seeelements of different fighting styles in taekwondo techniques.
  4. Did taekwondo originate as a military art? Yes indeed, initially taekwondo was developed as a military martial art for the South Korean army back in the 1940s and 50s. I bet lots of those early masters were in the military.
  5. Is taekwondo still practiced for military purposes? Not as much these days. Nowadays the main purpose of taekwondo seems to be more for sport. Though I’m sure some military guys still find it useful for self defense.
  6. What organizations govern taekwondo internationally? The two major organizations that oversee taekwondo worldwide are World Taekwondo and the ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation). They help promote and standardize taekwondo globally.
  7. What country has won the most taekwondo medals at the Olympics? South Korea has absolutely dominated Olympic taekwondo since it became an Olympic sport in 2000. Their athletes have taken home the most golds – it’s amazing really!
  8. What are some notable differences between ITF and WT styles? There are a few differences between ITF and WT taekwondo forms. For one, ITF includes hand strikes while WT does not. ITF also focuses more on old school patterns while WT has newer forms. But they’re basically similar when it comes down to it.

So in summary, taekwondo originated in Korea as a traditional martial art but has spread worldwide as a popular sport thanks to groups like the WT. It kind of took influences from karate and kung fu too over the years. South Korea has surely been dominant in Olympic competition – you gotta wonder if they put something in the kimchi? Let me know if any other questions come to mind!