Taekwondo facts for kids
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A World Taekwondo sparring match
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| Also known as | TKD, Tae Kwon Do, Tae Kwon-Do, Taekwon-Do, Tae-Kwon-Do |
| Focus | Striking, kicking |
| Hardness | Full-contact (WT), Light and medium-contact (ITF, GTF, ATA, TI, TAGB) |
| Country of origin |  Korea |
| Parenthood | Mainly Taekkyon and Shotokan Karate. Slight influence of Chinese martial arts |
| Olympic sport | Since 2000 (World Taekwondo) |
Taekwondo (say "TIE-kwon-DOE") is a cool martial art from Korea. It's a way of fighting that uses your hands and feet. You learn to attack and defend yourself. Sometimes, you might even use your fingertips, elbows, or knees!
Taekwondo is super popular in South Korea. It's even their national sport! The kyeorugi (sparring) part of Taekwondo is an event in the Olympic Games.
The name "Taekwondo" has a special meaning:
- 태 (Tae) means "to strike with the foot" (like a kick).
- 권 (Kwon) means "to strike with the hand" (like a punch).
- 도 (Do) means "way" or "path."
So, Taekwondo means "the way of the foot and the fist."
Even though Taekwondo has roots in old Korean martial arts, it's only been around in its current form for about 50 years. It became an Olympic exhibition sport in Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992. Now, it's a full Olympic competition sport!
Contents
What Makes Taekwondo Special?
Taekwondo is famous for its amazing kicks. This makes it different from other martial arts like karate. Kicking is important because your leg is the longest and strongest part of your body. A good kicker can hit an opponent from farther away and with more power, keeping themselves safer.
Practice Forms: Poomse
One important exercise in Taekwondo is doing poomse (say "POOM-seh"). These are like practice routines, similar to katas in karate. Poomse are set groups of defense and attack moves. They help you imagine fighting different opponents. These forms are linked to the different belt levels you earn. Doing poomse helps you get better at balance, flexibility, speed, and controlling your movements.
Mind and Body Power
Taekwondo is a great sport and exercise for everyone, no matter their age or gender. It helps you build strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina. It also helps you focus your mind. For example, breaking boards shows how your mind and body work together. To break a board with your hand or foot, you need to master the physical technique. You also need to focus all your energy into that one spot.
The History of Taekwondo Belts
Some things in Taekwondo have changed over time, but respect has always been a huge part of it. Without respect, Taekwondo wouldn't be the amazing art it is today.
One thing that has changed is the belt system. The original colors are still used. But now, every time you pass a test, you either get a new belt or a stripe on your current belt.
Legend says that long ago, there was only one belt. But it still showed different colors!
- White was the color of the belt when it was new.
- Yellow appeared as sweat soaked into the belt from hard training.
- Green came from practicing outside and falling on the grass.
- Blue was the color of the sky, showing how high you could reach.
- Red was the color of blood, showing your effort and courage.
- Black was the final color, from all the dirt and sweat mixing on the belt over many years.
Taekwondo Groups Around the World
There are several big Taekwondo groups around the world. The most well-known ones are:
- World Taekwondo (WT). This group promotes the Olympic version of Taekwondo.
- International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). After its founder passed away, the ITF split into several organizations. Each one says it's the original.
- Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF)
- Tae Kwon Do International (TI)
- American Taekwondo Association (ATA)
Taekwondo Stars
Grandmasters
Grandmasters are like the wise elders and founders of Taekwondo. They have spent many, many years training, teaching, and helping Taekwondo grow. They hold very high ranks, often 9th or 10th Dan black belts, which means they have achieved an incredible level of skill and understanding.
Choi Hong Hi and the Original Twelve Masters
One of the most important figures in Taekwondo history is Choi Hong Hi. Many people consider him the "Founder of Taekwon-Do" because he played a huge role in developing and naming the martial art we know today. He helped create the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF).
Choi Hong Hi worked with a special group called the Original Twelve Masters of Taekwondo. These were pioneering individuals who helped spread Taekwondo around the world.
- Nam Tae-hi: Known as the "Father of Vietnamese Taekwondo," he helped Choi Hong Hi found the "Oh Do Kwan" school and was a key leader among the original masters.
- Choi Chang-keun: He started training in the South Korean army in 1956 and later moved to Canada, where he continued to teach Taekwondo. He achieved the rank of 9th Dan in 2002.
- Kong Young-il: After serving in the South Korean military, he moved to the United States and, with his brother, founded the Young Brothers Taekwondo Associates in 1968. He reached 9th Dan in 1997.
- Park Jong-soo: He settled in Toronto, Canada, in 1968 and was a highly ranked master.
- Park Jung-tae: He also moved to Canada and later founded the Global Taekwondo Federation (GTF) in 1990, creating new patterns for students to practice.
- Rhee Chong-chul: This South Korean master brought Taekwondo to Australia in the 1960s, founding "Rhee Taekwon-Do," which became Australia's first and largest Taekwondo school. He holds the title 'World Master' and is an 8th Dan.
- Rhee Ki-ha: He is often called the 'Father of British Taekwon-Do' because he introduced the martial art to the United Kingdom in 1967. He also helped bring Taekwondo to Ireland.
Other Notable Grandmasters
Beyond the original founders, many other Grandmasters have made huge impacts:
- Jhoon Rhee: He is widely recognized as the 'Father of American Taekwondo' because he introduced this martial art to the United States in the 1950s. He achieved the very high rank of 10th Dan.
- Sun-hwan Chung: He is one of the highest-ranking Grandmasters in several martial arts, including Taekwondo, and founded his own style called Moo Sool Do.
- Hong Sung-chon: An early supporter of Taekwondo in the Philippines and the vice-president of the Philippine Taekwondo Association.
Olympic Medalists
The Olympic Games are a huge international sports event where athletes from all over the world compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals. Winning an Olympic medal in Taekwondo is one of the highest honors an athlete can achieve! All the Taekwondo Olympic medalists listed here compete under World Taekwondo rules.
- Hadi Saei (Iran): He is an incredible athlete, known as the most successful Iranian Olympian in history for his Taekwondo achievements. He won three Olympic medals (gold in 2000, 2004, and 2008), along with many other world titles.
- Steven López (USA): A very famous American Taekwondo athlete who has won multiple Olympic medals, including two golds.
- Hwang Kyung-seon (South Korea): A highly decorated South Korean athlete, she won three Olympic medals, including two golds, making her one of the most successful female Taekwondo practitioners.
- Jade Jones (Great Britain): This Welsh athlete made history by winning Britain's first Taekwondo Olympic gold medal in 2012. She then won another gold in 2016 and is a multiple European and World champion.
- Ulugbek Rashitov (Uzbekistan): He won the gold medal in the Men's 68 kg event at both the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, showing incredible consistency and skill.
- Panipak Wongpattanakit (Thailand): A fantastic Thai athlete, she won gold medals in the women's Flyweight (49 kg) at both the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, and a bronze in 2016.
- Park Tae-joon (South Korea): He won the gold medal in the men's flyweight (-58kg) event at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
- Dana Hee (USA): She won a gold medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and later became a successful stuntwoman and actress.
- Lynnette Love (USA): She won a gold medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and a bronze in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Kickboxers and Mixed Martial Artists
Some Taekwondo practitioners take their skills into other combat sports like kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). These sports combine techniques from different martial arts, and Taekwondo's powerful kicks are a great advantage!
- Anthony Pettis: A famous MMA fighter who holds a 3rd Dan black belt in Taekwondo.
- Anderson Silva: Considered one of the greatest MMA fighters ever, he is a 5th Dan black belt in Taekwondo.
- Mirko Filipović (Cro Cop): This legendary kickboxer and MMA fighter started training in Taekwondo at just 7 years old.
- Rose Namajunas: A top female MMA fighter who uses her Taekwondo background in her fights.
- Valentina Shevchenko: Another highly skilled female MMA fighter with a strong Taekwondo foundation.
- Michael Page: Known for his unique "hands down kickboxing style," which he developed from a mix of Taekwondo, karate, and kung fu. He was even scouted for the Great Britain Taekwondo Olympic team!
- Thanh Le: A former ONE Featherweight World Champion who has been training in Taekwondo since he was a baby, as his father ran a Taekwondo gym.
Celebrity Practitioners
It's not just athletes and masters who practice Taekwondo! Many famous actors, musicians, and other public figures have also trained in this martial art.
- Chuck Norris: While famous for other martial arts, he was awarded an 8th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo in 1997, becoming the first American to receive such an honor.
- Michael Imperioli: An American actor, best known for "The Sopranos," he and his family are dedicated Taekwondo practitioners.
- Jessica Alba: This popular actress has trained in Taekwondo.
- Dave Mustaine: The lead singer of the band Megadeth, he holds a black belt in Taekwondo and was even made a Goodwill Ambassador of the World by the World Taekwondo Federation in 2007.
- Michael Jai White: An actor known for his martial arts roles, he holds black belts in several martial arts, including Taekwondo.
- Joe Rogan: A well-known commentator and podcaster, he started competing in Taekwondo tournaments at 15 and won a U.S. Open title four years later.
- Donnie Yen: This Hong Kong martial artist and actor, famous for his action films, has achieved a 6th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, among other martial arts.
- Dev Patel: The British actor, known for "Slumdog Millionaire," started Taekwondo as a teenager, competed in championships, and earned his first-degree black belt in 2006.
- Rayna Vallandingham: An American martial artist and actress, she is a 4th-degree black belt and a 13-time world champion in Taekwondo, making her one of the youngest to achieve so much!
- Ben Wang: The Chinese-American actor, known for "American Born Chinese," has studied various martial arts, including Taekwondo.
- Monsour del Rosario: A Filipino actor and politician who earned an eighth-degree black belt and won bronze medals in the 1985 World Taekwondo Championships and 1986 Asian Games. He also competed in the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics.
- Nitu Chandra: An Indian actress and martial artist who holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt and represented India in the 1997 World Taekwondo Championship.
- Thomas Ian Griffith: The actor known for "The Karate Kid III" and "Cobra Kai," earned a black belt in Taekwondo when he was 18.
Honorary Black Belts: Special Recognition
Sometimes, people who have made significant contributions to society or who are very famous are awarded "honorary" black belts in Taekwondo. This is a special way to recognize their influence, even if they haven't gone through all the traditional training steps.
- Donald Trump: He was presented with an honorary ninth-degree black belt by the president of the World Taekwondo Headquarters Kukkiwon on November 22, 2021. His youngest son, Barron Trump, is also a Taekwondo black belt!
- Barack Obama: He studied Taekwondo from 2001 to 2005 and was awarded an honorary black belt by the then-South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak in 2009.
- Vladimir Putin: He was awarded a 9th Degree Black Belt by World Taekwondo in 2013. However, World Taekwondo later decided to strip him of this honorary belt in 2022 due to his decisions regarding the conflict with Ukraine.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic: This famous soccer player was awarded an honorary black belt in 2010.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A "family tree" of the five original kwans of taekwondo. The five kwans are highlighted in yellow text.
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Flying twin foot side kick
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A jumping reverse hook kick
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An example of a dojang (Taekwondo training hall)
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A "family tree" illustrating how the five original kwans gave rise to multiple styles of taekwondo.
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Exhibition of taekwondo students at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Mexico City
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Sparring in a taekwondo class
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Common styles of ITF point sparring equipment
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Some common taekwondo terminology and parts of the body
See also
In Spanish: Taekwondo para niños
