The Complete History of Taekwondo
From Ancient Battlefields to Olympic Glory: 2,000 Years of Warrior Wisdom
Taekwondo's journey is unlike any martial art—a 2,000-year evolution from royal combat training to global sport phenomenon. This definitive history reveals how Korea's warrior art survived invasions, political turmoil, and cultural suppression to become one of the world's most practiced martial arts, with over 100 million practitioners across 210 countries.
I. The Secret Origins (57 BCE - 1910 CE)
The Three Kingdoms: Cradle of Korean Martial Arts
Archaeological evidence proves sophisticated kicking systems existed centuries before the name "Taekwondo" emerged:
- Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BCE-668 CE): The Anak Tomb No. 3 mural clearly depicts two men in fighting stances performing techniques identical to modern jireugi (straight punch) and dollyo chagi (roundhouse kick).
- Baekje Kingdom (18 BCE-660 CE): The "Subak" system emphasized circular hand techniques and joint locks, preserved in modern Taekwondo self-defense (hoshinsul).
- Silla Kingdom (57 BCE-935 CE): The Hwarang warriors' "Taekkyon" combined high kicks with Buddhist philosophy and military strategy.
The Hwarang warriors trained in secret mountain locations called "Seonangdang," where they would meditate on ice-covered ponds to develop mental discipline—a practice that inspired modern dojang training methods.
Silla warriors used special leather boots called "hwa" with reinforced toes for breaking armor in combat. This directly influenced the development of modern Taekwondo foot protectors (hogu).
The Goryeo Dynasty: Martial Arts as National Defense
During Korea's Goryeo period (918-1392), martial arts became systematized military training:
- King Chungnyeol established annual "Subakhui" tournaments where winners received government positions.
- Special forces units called "Gyeongdang" trained in night combat and archery alongside hand-to-hand techniques.
- Historical records describe "flying kicks" used to dismount cavalry riders.
Goryeo military exams included breaking pine boards while blindfolded—the earliest known precursor to modern breaking (gyeokpa) demonstrations. Warriors who could break 5 consecutive boards were granted noble status.
The Joseon Dynasty begins. While Confucianism reduced martial arts' status, Taekkyon survived as a folk game. Secret societies like the "Charyeok" preserved combat techniques through coded dance movements.
Japan occupies Korea and bans all native martial arts. Practitioners train in secret, disguising techniques as farming movements. The spinning hook kick was developed during this period as a counter to samurai sword attacks.
II. The Phoenix Rises (1945-1973)
The Nine Kwans: Rebirth of a Warrior Art
After Korea's liberation in 1945, nine major martial arts schools emerged, each with distinct philosophies:
| Kwan | Founder | Specialization | Modern Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chung Do Kwan | Lee Won-kuk | Military applications | Became official ROK Army training |
| Moo Duk Kwan | Hwang Kee | Traditional forms | Evolved into Tang Soo Do |
| Oh Do Kwan | Choi Hong-hi | Scientific movement | Foundation of ITF patterns |
| Song Moo Kwan | Ro Byung-jik | Fluid footwork | Influenced modern sparring tactics |
| Ji Do Kwan | Chun Sang-sup | Sparring and self-defense | Influenced competitive sparring in WTF/Kukkiwon |
| Chang Moo Kwan | Yoon Byung-in | Chinese martial arts integration | Contributed to diverse hand techniques |
| Kang Duk Kwan | Park Chul-hee, Hong Jong-pyo | Physical conditioning | Strengthened emphasis on physical fitness |
| Han Moo Kwan | Lee Kyo-yoon | Balanced forms and combat | Enhanced poomsae development |
| Jung Do Kwan | Lee Young-woo | Traditional values | Promoted ethical training principles |
The name "Taekwondo" was chosen on April 11, 1955 after a heated 3-day debate between kwan leaders. The final vote was 8-1 in favor, with the lone dissenter preferring "Taesoodo" to acknowledge Chinese influences.
Early doboks (uniforms) were made from black canvas because white fabric was scarce after the Korean War. The modern white uniform wasn't standardized until 1967.
The Great Schism: ITF vs WTF
Cold War politics divided Taekwondo into two global systems:
ITF Founded: General Choi Hong-hi establishes the International Taekwon-Do Federation in Seoul, emphasizing military applications and traditional patterns (tul). The 24 patterns represent 24 hours in a day.
ITF Moves: Political tensions force Choi to relocate ITF headquarters to Toronto, Canada, creating the first major split in global Taekwondo.
WTF Formed: The Korean government establishes the World Taekwondo Federation (now World Taekwondo) with Kukkiwon as its technical center. The new system emphasizes Olympic-style sparring (kyorugi).
III. Global Domination (1973-Present)
The Olympic Journey
Taekwondo's path to Olympic recognition involved remarkable milestones:
- 1988 Seoul Olympics: Demonstration event features 16-foot high tornado kicks that astonish audiences.
- 1994: IOC grants full medal status after WTF modifies rules to reduce injury risks.
- 2000 Sydney: First Olympic medals awarded. Korea's Kim Kyong-hun wins despite competing with three cracked ribs.
- 2010 Singapore: Youth Olympic Games debut features electronic scoring prototypes.
- 2020 Tokyo: Para-Taekwondo introduces wheelchair competition categories.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Iranian athlete Hadi Saei won gold despite his semifinal match being interrupted by a power outage. He continued fighting in near darkness using only muscle memory.
The famous "Tornado Kick" (dwi huri chagi) was perfected in the 1990s specifically to score maximum points under WTF rules. Top competitors can generate over 1,800 pounds of force with this technique.
Modern Evolution
Today's Taekwondo continues breaking new ground:
Electronic Protectors: The Daedo e-hogu debuts, using magnetic sensors to detect valid strikes with 99.9% accuracy.
4D Poomsae: Kukkiwon introduces three-dimensional forms that incorporate weapons and multiple attackers.
UNESCO Recognition: Taekwondo's educational system (kyohon) is added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The World Taekwondo headquarters in Seoul features a dojang suspended 28 meters above ground, visible through glass floors. Black belts must test here to receive Kukkiwon certification.
The Never-Ending Journey
From royal combat training to Olympic glory, Taekwondo's 2,000-year odyssey proves its incredible adaptability. What began as battlefield survival skills has become a global phenomenon teaching discipline, respect, and perseverance to millions.
As we look toward the 2024 Paris Olympics and beyond, one truth remains: Taekwondo will continue evolving while staying rooted in its Korean heritage—a living bridge between ancient warriors and modern athletes.
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