Also available as eBook at: Kindle Store (Amazon) Description 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 |