Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art and Olympic Sport. Taekwondo means (tae – foot strike, kwon- fist strike and do the way) the art of fighting or self defense with kicks and hand strikes. Taekwondo was founded in 1940 by a Korean martial artist who had experience in Japanese martial arts Karate and Chinese martial arts Kungfu. 

Taekwondo requires three physical skills : poomsae – forms, kyorugi – fight and gyeokpa – the breakings.

Taekwondo was founded in 1940 by a Korean martial artist who had experience in Japanese martial arts Karate and Chinese martial arts Kungfu.

Kyorugi, a full contact sparring, has been an Olympic sport since 2000 and World Taekwondo has been the governing body for Paralympics and Olympics.

Poomsae : poomsae is the form of blocking, kicking and punching techniques that can be used as self defense. Poomsae is a game of physical strength and flexibility along with balancing.

Kyorugi : It is sparring by mostly kicking and punching and is an Olympic sport. Kicking can be applied to both the trunk and head while punching to the trunk only in sport.

Gyeokpa : it is the art of breaking wooden boards by punching, striking and kicking. Some do it by simple kicks and some by advanced kicks or flipping and kicks

Scoring System in Kyorugi : kicking to the trunk scores two points and to head 3 points. An advanced technique(turning kicks) awarded two additional points. Punches are allowed only to the trunk that scores one point. 

Getting away from the mat, falling down, grabbing and hitting to prohibited areas are some penalties that add one point to the opponent.