Taekwondo is Korea's national martial art — a kicking discipline of extraordinary range and athleticism, born from the unification of Korean kwons in 1955. Its name means 'the way of the foot and fist.'
After the Korean War, nine original kwons unified under General Choi Hong Hi to form taekwondo. It became an Olympic sport in 2000 and is now the world's most practiced martial art by participation.
The Philosophy
Range is control. Taekwondo prizes speed, distance, and the kicking arsenal above all. The discipline's sparring rewards footwork, timing, and the explosive head kick that can end a match in an instant.
Korean Liberation
After Japanese occupation ends, the original Korean kwons emerge from karate roots into distinct schools.
Name Coined
General Choi Hong Hi proposes 'taekwondo' to unify the nine kwons under a single Korean martial art.
ITF Founded
The International Taekwondo Federation is formed, spreading the art globally via demonstrations.
Kukkiwon & WT
The Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo Federation (now World Taekwondo) establish the Olympic style.
Olympic Sport
Taekwondo debuts as a full Olympic medal sport at the Sydney Games.
Electronic Scoring
Electronic headgear and body sensors refine Olympic scoring; WT continues global expansion.
Taekwondo's modern era centers on its Olympic presence under World Taekwondo, with electronic scoring defining the elite game. The art's kicking arsenal deeply informs MMA and kickboxing stand-up, and it remains the world's most practiced martial art by sheer participation.