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TAEKWONDO
Taekwondo, unlike most other martial arts originated in Korea.
Word Taekwondo itself is made up of three words: Tae - leg kick, kwon - fist blow, to - way.
Taekwondo techniques put the emphasis on the attractive leg kick techniques and speed of movement.
Taekwondo is one of the most popular martial arts - it is estimated that over 100 million
people practice taekwondo. Since 2000 Taekwondo became an Olympic sport.
Taekwondo has so called. 'professions' that indicate the degree that the student has reached.
Titles in taekwondo are divided into student (keup) and master (day).
Degrees are marked in belts:
10. and 9. keup: White belt
8. and 7. keup: Yellow belt
6. and 5. keup: Green belt
4. and 3. keup: Blue belt
2. and 1. keup: Red belt
1. day and higher: Black belt
During the competition the fighters are usually grouped by titles so the combatants of
similar capabilities would fight each other.
Taekwondo techniques are divided into:
Basics (Kibon)
Forms (Poomsae)
Self-defense (Hosinsul)
Breaking (Kyopka)
Fight (Kyorugi)
The clubs for the competition train mostly combat and form tehniques of taekwondo,
but the real taekwondo enthusiasts do not forsake other techniques, because they are
necessary for advancement in the professions.
Taekwondo basics consist of postures, blocks, kicks and arm strokes. Without mastering the basics
there is no proper use of the whole body in the fight.
Forms were designed against imaginary opponents. Taekwondo has eight student forms for
lower belta and nine master forms for black belts. Form performance is very popular and
most national teams have a team that competes in form performance.
Self-defense techniques are used when there are no conditions for a normal fight.
Self-defense consists of hand, feet, elbow, knee kicks, lever on the hands and feet,
choking, throwing, etc. Unlike other parts of taekwondo, self defense is not
standardized and depends on the instructor.
Item breaking (boards, bricks, etc.) is a part of the presentation and taekwondo exam to
acquire titles.
In addition to strength training and technique, Taekwondo, and all the oriental martial
arts, seeks mental and ethical discipline, justice, decency, respect and confidence,
then practice meditation and relaxation.
Taekwondo in Croatia, first appeared in 1962. in Rijeka. Six years later, in 1968., Master
Sun Jae Park (then 5th Day) came at the invitation of Judo Club "Kata" in Zagreb, and held a
demonstration of Taekwondo.
Soon after, Nicholas Pečko claimed for 1 Day as the first taekwondo black belt in the
former Yugoslavia, and is regarded as the founder of Taekwondo in Croatia and the former
Yugoslavia. Today in Croatia operate 50 Taekwondo clubs in many cities. Croatian taekwondo
in the world enjoys good reputation, thanks to the constant successes in international
competitions (Natasha Vezmar, Sandra Saric, Miet Filipovic, Lana Bane, etc.)
TAEKWONDO HISTORY
History of martial arts in the Far East, including Korea, is very long. The oldest
evidence are the sculptures and paintings found in the tomb of King Muyong Dynasty
around 3rd BC depicting warriors in combat poses.
At the time, skills were called Hwarang-do or Subak. Subak developed in Taekkyon, which is
often used in military demonstrations, and tournaments in which the warriors were able to
prove in the mutual competition. This was especially evident during the Koryo Dynasty (918
to 1392), which unites the three kingdoms, and when the Taekkyon competition was used
for the purpose of finding talented new soldiers, developing strength, speed and survival
technique.
Taekkyon developed many specific leg techniques. During the Joseon Dynasty, Confucianism
replaced Buddhism as the official religion, and society became less focused on warfare
and the higher social classes began to deal more with poetry and music. Consequently,
Taekkyon becomes the interest of the lower social classes and survives as a folk dance until
the early 20th century.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, all martial arts were strictly prohibited and
Taekkyon was virtually extinct or exercised in secret. However, Korean masters were going to Japan
where they learned karate techniques so taekkyon got some elements of karate.
In the year 1952 the Korean president asked to introduce the martial arts in the army and to unify
different schools emerged throughout history. In 1955th the name taekwondo was established.
In 1961st Korea Teawondo Union was founded as the first associated organization, which in
1965 changed its name in to the Korea Taekwondo Association, which bears the name today.
A little after that taekwondo became very popular in the world.
TAEKWONDO RULES
Fighting in modern taekwondo lasts three rounds for two minutes. The fight is
conducted in accordance with the rules of full contact. Taekwondo match can finish
in points, knockout, disqualification or surrender.
If scoring results in a draw, the fight is prolonged for one round, and in the
case of a repeated tie, judge declares the winner.
Fist blows are allowed in the body and leg blows above the waist. Improper blows
are punished with a warning or a negative point.
Some taekwondo A-category tournaments use electronics built into the equipment as
a replacement for the judges. Fist and leg blowsin the body make one point, kick in the
head two points. If an opponent is struck down by a correct stroke and the referee counts,
you get the extra point. Fist blows to the head are prohibited.
Mandatory equipment in taekwondo matches is:
Body guard (hogu)
Head guard
Forearm and leg guard
Groin guard
Teeth guard
Gloves
Feet guard
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