Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, characterized by punching and kicking techniques, with an emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques.
The literal translation for Taekwondo is “kicking,” “punching,” and “the art or way of”. Taekwondo emphasises attacks or defence with hands and feet anytime or anywhere, without the use of weapons. The training undertaken in Taekwondo is purposeful and fosters strength of body and mind through physical and mental discipline.
There were a number of forms of self defence developed during the 1940s and 1950s by Korean martial artists with experience in martial arts such as Japanese karate, Chinese martial arts, and indigenous Korean martial arts traditions such as Taekkyon, Subak, and Gwonbeop.
The oldest governing body for Taekwondo is the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA), formed in 1959 through a collaborative effort by representatives from the nine original kwans, or martial arts schools, in Korea.
The original governing body for Taekwondo was the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), founded by Choi Hong Hi in 1966. Today there are a number of International Taekwondo Federations (ITF’s) representing the needs of the millions of people around the world practicing the Chang-Hon style of Taekwondo.
Toogee Martial Arts is affiliated with the International Taekwondo Federation, Papua New Guinea.
