THE ART OF THE FOOT AND FIST

Taekwondo literally translates to ‘the art of the foot and the fist”. It is a system of symmetrical body exercises or techniques designed for self defense and counterattack in unarmed combat, making use of the hands and feet as weapons and for defence.

WHY TAEKWONDO?

There are countless reasons to get involved in Taekwondo:

It could be for the physical benefits; strength, flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning, co-ordination or general fitness.

It could be for the mental benefits; self-confidence, self-discipline, self-control, stress reduction or to meet new people.

Taekwondo stands for and promotes the principles of humility, integrity and perseverance as expressed in the 5 tenets. Whatever the way you are looking to improve yourself, Taekwondo can help you on the journey!

THE HISTORY OF TAEKWONDO

Taekwondo was inaugurated on 11th April 1955 by Major General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Degree Black Belt, of the 29th Infantry Division of the South Korean military. The initial drive was to create a unified Korean martial art distinguishable from the Japanese variants enforced upon Koreans during the Japanese occupation prior to WWII. It took influences from different martial art styles from nearby countries, as well as techniques developed in Korea thousands of years before.

The martial art was first introduced to the UK in 1967 with the creation of the United Kingdom Taekwondo Association (UKTA). In August 1983 the Taekwondo Association of Great Britain (TAGB) was formed by several senior members of the previous group, in order to develop a more professional association which was better for both students and instructors.

The TAGB has since grown to be the largest martial arts association in the world with over 25,000 accredited students and 600 clubs, under the leadership of Grand Master David Oliver, 9th Degree Black Belt, and several other Grand Masters including the representative for the North of England and England squad coach, Grand Master Kenny Walton, 9th Degree Black Belt.

The TAGB has also played a key role in the formation of the British Taekwondo Council (BTC) in 1988 as the overall governing body for taekwondo in Great Britain, and Tae Kwon Do International (TKDI), formed to develop links with other associations around the world, and whose World Championships are amongst the largest and best organised, drawing competitors from every continent.