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Although the origins of the martial
arts are shrouded in mystery, we consider it an undeniable
fact that from time immemorial there have been physical conditions
involving the use of the hands and feet for
purpose of self-protection. If we ere to define these
physical actions as "Taekwon- Do", any country
might claim credit for inventing Taekwon-Do. There is,
however, scant esemblance between Taekwon-Do, as it is
practiced today, and the crude forms of unarmed combat
developed in the past.
Modern Taekwon-Do differs greatly
from other martial arts. In fact, no other martial art is
so advanced with regard to the sophistication and
effectiveness of its technique or the over-all physical
fitness it imparts to its practitioners. technically, 1955
signaled the beginning of Taekwon-Do as a formally
recognized art in Korea. During that year, a special board
was formed which included leading master instructors,
historians, and prominent leaders of society. A number of
names for the new martial art were submitted. On the 11th
of April, the board summoned by Gen. Choi Hong Hi, decided
on the name of Taekwon-Do which had been submitted by him.
This single unified name of Taekwon-Do replaced the
different and confusing terms; Dang Soo, Gong Soo, Taek
Kyon, Kwon Bup, etc.
In 1959, Taekwon-Do spread beyond
its national boundaries. The father of Taekwon-Do and
nineteen of his top black belt holders toured the Far
East. The tour was a major success, astounding all
spectators with the excellence of the Taekwon-Do
techniques. Many of these black belt holders such as Nam
Tae Hi, President of the Asia Taekwon-Do Federation;
Colonel Ko Jae Chun, the 5th
Chief of Taekwon-Do instructors in Vietnam;
Colonel Baek Joon Gi, the 2nd
Chief instructor in Vietnam; Brigadier
Gen. Woo Jong Lim; Mr. Han Cha
Kyo, the Head Instructor in Singapore
and Mr. Cha Soo Young, presently
an international instructor in Washington
D.C. eventually went on to spread
the art to the world.
In this year, Choi was elevated
to two illustrious posts; President of his newly formed
Korea Taekwon-Do Association and deputy commander of the
2nd Army in Tae Gu. In 1965 Ambassador Choi, retired two
star general, was appointed by the Government of the
Republic of Korea to lead a goodwill mission to West
Germany, Italy, Turkey, United-Arab Republic, Malaysia,
and Singapore. This trip is significant in that the
Ambassador, for the first time in Korean history, declared
Taekwon-Do as the national martial art of Korea.
This was the basis not only for
establishing Taekwon-Do Associations in these countries
but also the formation of the International Taekwon-Do
Federation as it is known today. In 1966, the dream of the
sickly young student of calligraphy, who rose to
Ambassador and the Association President of the most
respected martial art in the world came true. On the 22nd
of March, the International Taekwon-Do Federation was
formed with associations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore,
West Germany, the United States, Turkey, Italy, Arab
Republic of Egypt and Korea.
General
Choi Hong Hi 1918 to 2002 Founder
of Taekwon-Do
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