Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a sport of Korean martial arts requiring dynamic defensive movements through punches and high kicks with ones fists and feet. Taekwondo originated in Korea as a defense combat training called “subak” or “Taekkyon,” and was imperative in the training of future leaders of the ancient Korean empire. Today, Taekwondo is most known for high intensity training utilizing head-height kicks, jumping, and quick combative movements. Meant to sharpen both the mind and the body during training sessions, Taekwondo has been popularized in television and movies, and was added to the Olympic Games in 2000.
Taekwondo derives from the Korean words “Tae” which means foot, “Kwon” which is fist, and “do” which is translated to way of. Together Taekwondo means “the way of the foot and fist”. The name started in the year 1955, but roots back to 2,300 years ago in Korea.
There are 10 Geups (degrees) of belts which all of the belts have their special meaning during their training. From the first belt to the final belt: white, yellow, orange, green, purple, blue, blue SR., brown, brown SR., red, JR. black, and black.
Taekwondo teaches many physical and mental traits. Mentally, it can teach student cooperation, devotion, and loyalty from the training. Physically, abilities in self-defense and awareness are taught from using your feet and fists for striking and defending your opponent.
