History
Tae Kwon Do, which literally means “the way of the hand and foot”, is a Korean martial art that consists of a wide range of kicking, blocking, punching, and stepping techniques, designed to maximize one’s physical power. Tae Kwon Do’s popularity around the world has been growing at an incredible rate; it was an exhibition sport at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympic Games, and is now an official Olympic medal sport. Though its roots go back centuries, Tae Kwon Do is now practiced in over 203 countries, and is both a popular martial art and international sport that includes 80 million practitioners.
Tenets
- Courtesy (Ye Ui)
- Integrity (Yom Chi)
- Perseverance (In Nae)
- Self-Control (Guk Gi)
- Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool)
Oath
- I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo
- I shall respect the instructor and seniors
- I shall never misuse Taekwondo
- I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
- I shall build a more peaceful world