13 Dela Pieza, Mary Ann V.

2C – PH

HISTORY OF TAEKWONDO

Taekwondo is derived from the Korean word "Tae" meaning foot, "Kwon" meaning fist and
"Do" meaning way of. So, literally Taekwondo means "the way of the foot and fist". It is the art of
self defense that originated in Korea, the evolution of the sport was a direct result of the
happenings in Korea from 2,300 years ago. Korean history began when in 2333 B.C. the
legendary national founder, Tangun, founded "Old Korea" at Asadal. As in the histories of other
nations, communal life was gradually transformed into tribal communities, and then tribal leagues
and finally took the form of a state. Although no written history of the fighting systems of this time
remains it is known that the people of this time were hunters and had some means of protection
as well as livelihood.

Korea is divided into three kingdoms: Koguryo, Paekje and Silla. Koguryo was the largest
kingdom and occupied the northern part of the peninsula, Paekje was along the Han River and in
the southwestern part of Korea while Silla is the smallest kingdom located in the southeastern
parn of the Korean peninsula. The three kingdoms were at war with each other.

Taekwondo may have first appeard in the Koguryo Kingdom, yet the
Silla's Hwarang warriors were credited to the growth and spread of
Taekwondo throughout the country. Silla was the smallest of the
three kingdoms and was always under attack by Japanese Pirates.
Silla got help from King Gwanggaeto and his soldiers from the
Koguryo kingdom to drive out the pirates. During this time a few
select Sillan warriors were given training in Taek Kyon by the early
masters from Koguryo. The Taek Kyon trained warriors then became
known as the Hwarang. The Hwarang set up a military academy for
the sons of royalty in Silla called Hwarang-do, which means "The
way of flowering manhood." The guiding principles of the Hwarang
warriors were loyalty, filial duty, trustworthiness, valor, and justice.
The makeup of the Hwarang-do education was based on the Five
Codes of Human Conduct written by a Buddhist scholar,
fundamental education, Taek Kyon and social skills. Taek Kyon was spread throughout Korea
because the Hwarang traveled all around the peninsula to learn about the other regions and
people.

The Koryo Dynasty was a time in which martial arts was developed and enhanced. During
this time unarmed combat gained its greatest popularity. Martial arts practice, known as Subak
13 Dela Pieza, Mary Ann V. 2C – PH

Do, became popular as an organized sport with detailed rules. The royal family sponsored
competitions and demonstrations, and martial arts became deeply rooted in Korean culture.

During the Yi Dynasty, it was the first time that Subak was intended to be taught to the
general public, in previous years the knowledge was limited to the military. During the second half
of the Yi dynasty, political conflicts and the choice to use debate instead of military action almost
lead to the extinction of Subak. The study of martial arts, including weapons, was banned to all
but the military. The HwaRangDo, which were rooted in the Buddhist teachings, gradually lost its
importance among young people. The emphasis of the art was changed back to that of
recreational and physical fitness. The lack of interest caused Subak as an art, to become
fragmented and scarcely practiced throughout the country. During the Yi Dynasty several
invasions by the Japanese were fought off. However, due to the eventual decline of military power,
the Yi Dynasty ended with the Japanese takeover on August 2, 1910.

Japanese invaded Korea and occupied the country for 36 years. To control Korea's
patriotism, the Japanese banned the practice of all military arts, Korean language and even
burned all books written in Korea. This ban was responsible for renewed interest in Subak.
Japanese combat arts were introduced to Korea at this time. The people of Korea received them
with great interest. Due to peace treaties between the Japanese and Koreans, Japanese
educational curricula were taught in all Korean schools and also such Japanese arts as Kendo,
Judo, Karate, and Aikido. Once again martial arts began to flourish with each side, Japan and
Korea, trading techniques and styles of martial arts. On August 15, 1945 Korea was liberated
from Japan and Korean arts could once again develop.

The first Taekwondo school (Kwan) was started in Yong Chun, Seoul, Korea in 1945.
Many different school were opened from 1945 through 1960. Each school claimed to teach the
traditional Korean martial art, but each school emphasized a different aspect of Taek Kyon/Subak.
This caused different names to emerge from each system, some of them were: Soo Bahk Do,
Kwon Bop, Kong Soo Do, Tae Soo Do and Kang Soo Do. In 1955 a board of instructors, historians
and prominent society members sat down to coordinate all the schools and select a name for the
hopefully unified art. In April 1955 a new name was from a group of names by the board, it was
Taekwondo.

In 1962 the Korean Amateur Sports Association recognized the

Korean Taekwondo Union, which later became known as the Korean
Taekwondo Association (K.T.A.). On May 28, 1973 the World
Taekwondo Federation was officially established at the Kukkiwon
(headquarters) by Dr. Un Yon Kim. Located in Seoul, Korea the World
Taekwondo Federation is the governing body which preserves
Taekwondo's roots and development, controls testing and testing
requirements, and promotes the study of Taekwondo all over the world.
In this way the World Taekwondo Federation hopes to continue the
unification of their native art.
13 Dela Pieza, Mary Ann V. 2C – PH

A Taekwondo demonstration at the United Nations headquarters in New York City in 1963,
caused the formation of the U.S. Taekwondo Association in 1967, which later was superseded in
1974 by the U.S. Taekwondo Federation. In 1975 the U.S. Amateur Athletes Union (AAU)
accepted Taekwondo as an official sport. Taekwondo was also admitted to the General
Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International Council of Military
Sports (CISM) in 1976. In 1980 the World Taekwondo Federation became an International
Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized sports federation, making Taekwondo a demonstration
sport for the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games.

Since Modern-day Taekwondo's official birth on April 11, 1955, its development as a sport
has been rapid. Over 30 million people practice Taekwondo in more than 156 countries.
Taekwondo was introduced to the Philippines through the efforts of Kim Bok Man and Young Man
Park. Grand Master Bok Man Kim arrived in 1970 to continue Park's legacy of propagating
Taekwondo upon the invitation of President Marcos. Bok Man Kim continued to pioneer
Taekwondo worldwide and left the Philippines in 1971. The Philippine Taekwondo Association
(PTA) has been established by Grand Master Sung-Chon Hong, he devoted decades to
developing and promoting Taekwondo in the Philippines, thus he is considered the Father of
Taekwondo in the Philippines.

TENETS OF TAEKWONDO

Taekwondo teaches the foundation of good sportsmanship by teaching the five core tenets.

1. Courtesy - This is taught to promote politeness and respect for others, and to teach the
person to be well-mannered and encourage the sense of justice.
2. Integrity - In taekwondo, it is being able to know the difference of what is right and what
is wrong, and acknowledging if the person did wrong. It is showing good character,
honesty, prudence, and decency, behaving ethically and morally.
3. Perseverance - A student must continue to pursue a course of action despite of difficulty,
resistance, or discouragement.
4. Self-Control - This is important inside and outside the Do Jang. One must keep their
emotions, desires, and impulses in check, to avoid disastrous events.
5. Indomitable Spirit - This spirit is defined as something that can’t be broken or conquered.
Having this allows a person to have determination and the confidence to face any
challenges.
13 Dela Pieza, Mary Ann V. 2C – PH

EXERCISES FIT FOR TAEKWONDO

(1) Wind Sprints – sprinting back and forth across the Do Jang as if racing.

a. Trick Sprints – are wind sprints in which some “tricks” are incorporated. That tricks

may be long jumps, high jumps or rollovers.

(2) Walking kicks – students would line up and walk while kicking. (step forward then kick)
can also be alternate right and left leg when performing a kick.

(3) Planking – hold yourself at the top of a push-up position.

(4) Burpees – from a standing position, drop into a squat and place your hands on the floor,
thrust your legs back behind you into a planking position, immediately return to a squat,
then jump up from the squat position.

(5) Sit-ups – best done with a partner, your partner holds your feet down while you do sit-ups
(6) Soldier crawls – lay down on your stomach and drag your body forward using your elbows

and knees; alternatively, require that students keep their legs straight and pull themselves
forward using just their elbows.
13 Dela Pieza, Mary Ann V. 2C – PH

(7) Jumps – these come in many forms:

a. Leap frog jump – jump into the air and bend your legs backwards behind you,
while pushing your arms behind you as if to grab your ankles at the top of the jump

b. Scissors jump – jump into the air and spread your legs wide at the top of the
jump; alternatively, kick one leg forward and one leg backward at the top of the
jump
c. Toe-touching jump – jump into the air and bring both legs forward in front of you,
legs straight, while bringing your arms forward as if to touch your toes

References:
1. http://www.worldtaekwondo.com/history.htm
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo_in_the_Philippines
3. https://msu.edu/~spock/history.html
4. https://buffalotkd.com/what-is-tae-kwon-do/
5. https://www.nanaimotkd.com/the-taekwondo-tenets/
6. http://www.edmontontaekwondo.ca/taekwondo-news/5-tenets-of-taekwondo/
7. https://gorinotaekwondo.com/faqs/4-types-tae-kwon-do-strength-training-
exercises/#targetText=Push%2Dups%20%26%20Sit%2Dups,low%2C%20moving%20side%20to%20side.
8. https://taekwondo.fandom.com/wiki/Taekwondo_Exercises
13 Dela Pieza, Mary Ann V. 2C – PH

SWOT ANALYSIS OF TAEKWONDO BEING A PART OF THE UST PE PROGRAM