Taekwondo, which literally means “the way of the hand and foot,” is an indigenous Korean tradition and the world’s most popular martial art. This book is an excellent guide for people new to the sport as well as those familiar with the beauty, efficiency and sophistication of taekwondo.

The chapters cover topics ranging from taekwondo’s origins in Korea and the meanings of both the martial art and sport to taekwondo’s rapid spread worldwide and adoption as an official Olympic event. Anything and everything about taekwondo is jam-packed in this book, which appeals to both the novice and the advanced black belt.

Contents

Introduction 6

Chapter 1

A Universal Sport 10

The Root of Korea’s Martial Arts

Chapter 2

The Philosophy of Taekwondo 26

White Outfit and Belts | Understanding Taekwondo’s Philosophy | Aesthetics

of Taekwondo

Chapter 3

A Modern History 40

The First Gwan | The General | The Korean War | The Birth of Taekwondo |

Association and Competition | Politics

Chapter 4

Taekwondo Goes Global 56

Demonstration | The Twelve Original Masters | Innovators | Legacy | Father of

Taekwondo in US | The First World Championships | The Road to Olympics

Chapter 5

Taekwondo in the Dojang 78

ITF and WTF Taekwondo | Technical Development | In the Dojang | Poomsae |

Punches and Strikes | Training | Gear | Belts | Making the Grade

Chapter 6

The Future of Taekwondo 100

Muju Taekwondo Park | The Future of Taekwondo

Appendix

Information 113

Delving Deeper

• An Exciting Sport—Basic Rules of Taekwondo 14

• Taekwondo in Afghanistan 18

• Ssireum 22

• Muyedobotongji 24

• Taekwondo and Ballet 36

• Presidential Taekwondoists 39

• Taekwondo Day 46

• Kukkiwon 51

• Taekwondo Peace Corps 70

• Korean Tigers 76

• The Dojang 99

• Para-Taekwondo 105

• Taekwondo Robots 110