Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo
Taekwondo means "the way of the hand and foot". It is a Korean martial art formalised in 1955 when 9 martial arts Kwans (schools) united under a common banner and name. Each Kwan had a distinct style and similar to Kung Fu/Wushu or Karate, each style had different training methods and forms/patterns.
Over the years Taekwondo has become well known for its powerful kicking techniques and in non Olympic competition formats, hand strikes are equally important.
In 1966 Taekwondo split into "ITF" (International Taekwondo Federation) and "World Taekwondo" (formally World Taekwondo Federation/WTF) resulting in different theories on the application/generation of power and different competition formats/rules.
Chung Do Kwan
The Chung Do Kwan is modern Korea's oldest martial arts school. Formed in 1944 by GM Lee Kuk Won during the Japanese occupation of Korea, it was one of the original 9 schools that united to form Taekwondo in 1955.
The Chung Do Kwan has been influential in the history and development of Taekwondo globally. GM Lee Kuk Won was appointed for the Korean Police Academy and his student GM Duk Sun Song was Chief Instructor to the Korean army. Another one of GM Lee's students, GM Uhm Woon Kyu (4th Kwanjangnim/Head of School) was president of the World Taekwondo Federation for decades. During this time GM Uhm played a key role in developing the competition rules we see today. Another globally famous master, GM Park Hae Man was an ex-Presidential body guard and is credited as one of the key people who created the "Taeguk" poomsae.
Over the years Taekwondo has become well known for its powerful kicking techniques and in non Olympic competition formats, hand strikes are equally important.
In 1966 Taekwondo split into "ITF" (International Taekwondo Federation) and "World Taekwondo" (formally World Taekwondo Federation/WTF) resulting in different theories on the application/generation of power and different competition formats/rules.
Chung Do Kwan
The Chung Do Kwan is modern Korea's oldest martial arts school. Formed in 1944 by GM Lee Kuk Won during the Japanese occupation of Korea, it was one of the original 9 schools that united to form Taekwondo in 1955.
The Chung Do Kwan has been influential in the history and development of Taekwondo globally. GM Lee Kuk Won was appointed for the Korean Police Academy and his student GM Duk Sun Song was Chief Instructor to the Korean army. Another one of GM Lee's students, GM Uhm Woon Kyu (4th Kwanjangnim/Head of School) was president of the World Taekwondo Federation for decades. During this time GM Uhm played a key role in developing the competition rules we see today. Another globally famous master, GM Park Hae Man was an ex-Presidential body guard and is credited as one of the key people who created the "Taeguk" poomsae.
