taekwondo
Taekwondo is a young martial art with an
ancient history. In its modern form it was systemitized by General
Choi Hong Hi in 1954-55. At that time it was given the name
Taekwondo. Ever since the remote past man has been anxious to
develop his martial mastery.That was his way to make his living and
to defend himself against enemies - other men and the wild animals.
Gradually that striving led to the formation of martial arts. Their
development continues to nowadays as well as human desire for
self-perfection. Although Taekwondo was formed in its modern style
during the middle of the 20th century it was natural continuation
of the evolution of the Korean martial arts and to be more precise
- of the traditional Taek Kyon (its characteristic high kicks are
the basic of Taekwondo techniques) and Subak. That's the reason why
we find it necessary to trace the history of the Korean martial
arts back to their origin.
The foundation of Korea is
dated back to the year 2333 B.C. At that time the country was known
as Ko Chosun. Since then the Koreans practised sport games
developing martial mastery as fights with stone weapons (spear and
knife), kicks and hits, throwing, swimming. These skills were
developed in the tribal states Chosun, Puyo and Chinhan. It is
considered that one of the most important requirements for the
national leaders of those days has been the martial
mastery.
At the beginning of the New
Era the Korean Peninsula was divided into three kingdoms - Koguryo
in the Northern part, Paekche - in the South-Eastern, and Silla -
in the South-Western one. There had been some smaller independent
regions and a bigger one - Kaya, but later they were united to some
of the three others on the peninsula. That's why that historical
time was called the Period of The Three Kingdoms.
The first material evidences for practising of
martial arts in Korea were founded in 1933 by archeologists in two
of the royal tombs of Koguryo dynasty - Kakjeyo-Chong and
Mion-Chong. These were frescoes showing two men practising Taek
Kyon (in Muyong-chong tomb) and two others wrestling (in
Kakshu-chong tomb) dated back to the year 3-427 A.D. The Japanese
historian Tatashi Saito in his book "A Study of the Culture of
Ancient Korea" writes: "These drawings show that the buried man has
practised Taekwondo in his life, or that the ancient people have
practised it along with dancing and singing to find peace for the
soul of the deceased one."
In the year 320 Piryu, the ruler of Paekche, ordered
a training centre of martial arts to be built in the capital town.
Each month in the time of full moon there were contests in riding,
fights with wooden sticks, hand-to-hand fights. The competitors
were trained at that school. The educational programme included
study of the Buddhistic doctrine and classic literature as
well.
An important role for the development of the martial
arts, culture and history of Korea had the Military Order of Hwa
Rang. It was formed by the 24th king of Silla Chinghung Wang
(540-576) for the young sons of the aristocrats. They were trained
in perfect bow drawing and arrow shooting, fencing, riding, Taek
Kyon (the art of foot fighting), Subak (the art of hand fighting).
The Order had its Moral Code based on "The Five Orders" of the
Buddhistic monk Won Wang (590): loyalty to the king, devotion to
the parents, honesty to the friends, strenght in battles and using
the marshal art only in the name of justice. That turned the
training into a system for physical and spiritual mature called Hwa
Rang Do("The Way of the Flower of Mastery"). Hwa Rang means "The
Flower of Mastery" (Hwa - flower, blossom, Rang - a young master).
The Order represented the hope of the Koreans for a better future
(the flower was a symbol of glory, beauty and unity at that time).
There were between 500 and 5000 members in different periods. In
676 they helped Silla to unite The Three Kingdoms in a new country
- the United Silla. The fighters had fulfilled all hopes but later
in 900 the state was divided into three parts again.
After the end of the Silla
dynasty, in 935 was established the new united state of Koryo
(918-1392). The modern name of Korea originates from it. The period
of that dynasty was characterized by the constant wars against the
aggressors. Naturally the martial arts became of great importance
and the most popular of them was Subak. Su means "hand" and bak -
"attack", i.e. "hand fight". It is considered that Subak was at its
hight during the time of the ruler Uijong (1147-1170). He organized
many military tournaments and he himself was present at many of
them. That fact has been proved by many written documents. On 5 May
and 15 August according to the Moon Calendar were organized the
Festivals of O-Dan with contests in Subak. It has to be mentioned
that as the differet dynasties gave different names to their
states, so was the situation with the names of martial arts - in
the time of Koryo Taek Kyon was called Subak as well. But these two
styles were very close.
There are two important
facts considering the development of the martial arts during the
rule of Chosun dynasty (1392-1910). The first one is that Subak
became more popular among the ordinary people unlike the time of
Koryo when it had been a privilege for the military men only. The
other significant event was the Martial Art Treatise "Muye Dobo
Tongji" written by Li Dok Moo in 1790 on the order of king Chongjo.
Te Kion, Subak and Sirum - the initial forms of Taekwondo, were the
basic theme of that work. The third king of I dynasty (1401-1408)
ordered to be found the masters of Taek Kyon, Subak and Sirum
(Korean wrestling) and they to train the soldiers of the Korean
army. In 1592 Japan occupied Korea. Followed the 7 years war
against the aggressors during which Taek Kyon fighters had rended
great services.
But when the period of Li
dynasty (1832-1910) came the martial arts were forbidden and their
masters were persecuted. Their practising was illegal but continued
in secret.
In 1910 the
occupation army of Japan conquered Korea. That time the Japanese
banned the national Korean martial arts totally. Just to a small
part of privileged men was allowed to practise Judo and Kum Do. The
Koreans who were cadets in Japanese military schools could train
Karate and Aiki Djutsu too. Despite the prohibition under death
penalty the Korean martial arts flourished. They became the main
weapon in the anti-aggressive struggle.
A great contribution
for the development of the modern Taekwondo has General Choi Hong
Hi. He was born on 9 November 1918. As a child Choi was a weak and
delicate boy. He began studying calligraphy. His teacher Han Il
Dong noticed the bad health of his young student and started
training him in Taek Kyon as well. Then Choi studied in Japan where
he attained the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Karate. After the
end of the Second World War he came back to his liberated country.
There he joined the army of the new Republic of Korea. As a company
commander he trained his soldiers in a fighting system combining
the techniques of Karate hand hits with Taek Kyon kicks. In those
days there were many different martial schools with great masters.
Choi Hong Hi worked hardly on his mastery perfection and organized
his own school. On 11 April 1955 a special board of the new Korean
martial art summoned by General Choi decided on the name of
Taekwondo which had been submitted by him. Some of the other
masters joined their schools to the newly formed structure. It is
unknown how many of the schools of that time went on their own way.
In 1959 the Korean Taekwondo Association was founded with Choi Hong
Hi as a vice-president. On the next year he was elected for
president. That was the time when Taekwodo was introduced to the
world. Each year a demo-team led by Choi Hong Hi performed
spectacular demonstrations. They won more and more people for the
great idea of Taekwondo.
On 22 March 1966 was
founded the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). At the
beginning its members were Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, The
Federal Republic of Germany, USA, Turkey, Italy and Egypt.
On 28 May 1973 was
established the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) with the
participation of 19 countries and the First World Competition took
place in Seoul, South Korea.
On 17 July 1980 WTF
was granted recognition by International Olympic Committee (IOC) at
the 83th General Session in Moscow.
On 17 September 1988
Taekwondo WTF was a demonstration sport of the 24th Olympiad in
Seoul with 192 competitors from over 35 nations.
On 30 July 1992
Taekwondo was a demonstration sport of the 25th Olympiad in
Barcelona with 128 competitors from over 30 nations
On 4 Septeber 1994
A dream becomes reality! - Taekwondo became an official
Olympic sport in Sidney 2000 Olympic Games at 103th IOC Session in
Paris.