SARAWAK TAEWONDO FEDERATION (W.T.F.)

WHAT IS TAEKWONDO?

Taekwondo is the name of the martial art independently developed over 20 centuries ago in Korea that in modem times has become an international sport.

"TAE" literally means to jump or kick or smash with foot; "KWON" denotes a fist-punch or destroying with hand or fist; and "DO" means an art, way, or method. Taekwondo uses about 80 foot techniques and only about 20 hand techniques. Hand techniques in Taekwondo arc used mostly for blocking and faking. Most Koreans believe the hands are very valuable and should not be demeaned by striking an enemy.

THE HISTORY OF TAEKWONDO
What exactly is the meaning of Taekwondo? To put it simply, Taekwondo is a version of an ancient form of unarmed combat, practiced for many centuries in the orient. However, this art of self-defense or unarmed combat came to be perfected in its present form in Korea. No doubt this art was adopted in many Eastern coutries, notably Japan and China, incorporating, of course, each country's national characteristics. In China, they have given the name of KUON-TAO or 'CH'AN-FUAH. For the lapanese, it is Karate or kempo.

Approximately 2,000 years ago in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, there was a small kingdom constantly under invasion and harassment by its two more powerful Northern neighbors. To preserve themselves, the young aristocrats of the country formed a young officer warriors'corps called HWA RANG DAN. The warrior corps trained themselves by practicing mental and physical discipline throughout the year in the wild mountains and along the nigged seashores. They trained and drove themselves unmercifully to prepare themselves for their heroic task. To guide themselves and give purpose to their knighthood, they incorporated the following five-point code of contract set forth by their country's greatest buddhist monk and scholar, WON KANG:

1) Be loyal to your country
2) Be obedient to your parents
3) Be honorable to your friends
4) Never retreat in battle
5) Make a sensible kill

The warriors became known in the peninsula for their courage and skill in battle, gaining respect from even their bitterest foes. The strength they derived from their respect to their code enabled them to attain feats of valor that became legendary. Through their feats, however, they inspired the people to rise and unite and eventually conquer the two bigger kingdoms. From this victory, the Korean Peninsula became united for the first time in its history.

To the Korean people, TAE KWON DO represents more than the mere physical use of skilled movements. It implies a way of thinking and life, particularly by instilling a concept and spirit of strict self-imposed discipline and an ideal of Noble moral rearmament. In these days of violence and intimidation which seem to plague our modern societies Taekwondo enables the weak to possess a fine weapon to defend him or herself and defeat the opponent as well. Of course, wrongly applied, Taekwondo can be a lethal weapon.

As for women, they will fmd Taekwondo to be a valuable asset in defending themselves. There have been many instances where frail women effectively protected themselves because they were well versed in the art of self-defense.

The feats of Taekwondo are great in number. To mention a few is perhaps pertinent: breaking of roof-tiles, splitting planks, flying kicks and./or cracking a 2-inch thick wood slab with a poke of the finger-tips. To the laymen in the street, such feats may sound impossible, but to the serious students of Taekwondo these feats are ordinary.

The art Taekwondo is specifically designed for swift retaliation against moving aggressors. Most of the devastating maneuvers are based specifically on the initial impact of the blow plus the consequential additional force provided by the rebound from the opponent's moving body. Students of Taekwondo who have been in constant practice and those ranked as experts require no time to think, since proper action comes automatically to them. Their actions, in short, have become conditioned reflexes.

Taekwondo, practiced for the sake of exercise alone, is equally suitable for the old and young, not to mention the enjoyment which alone will justify the time invested.

TAEKWONDO CODE OF ETHICS
Among us some are very senior black belts and some are juniors. Whatever stage we are in now, we are all students of Taekwondo and have a common goal i.e to build a better world through the discipline and philosophy of Taekwondo, to continue to improve ourselves in the art, to lead a life in line with the Taekwondo philosophy and to spread the art.

Taekwondo is art that provides endless learning and experiences for a student. As we train to improve ourselves, mentally and technically, it is appropriate for us to revaluate ourselves by examining the code of ethics in Taekwondo more closely less we become mere fighters.

The Taekwondo code of ethics is the oath, contained in the oath is the Taekwondo philosophy and a set of principles which are guidelines for our conduct and behaviour and the concept of judgement and moral values.

I SHALL OBSERVE THE TENETS OF TAEKWONDO
I SHALL RESPECT THE INSRTUCTOR AND ALL SENIORS
I SHALL NEVER MISUSE TAEKWONDO
I SHALL BE CHAMPION OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE
I SHALL BUILD A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD

THE TENETS OF TAEKWONDO
1) Courtesy
2) Integrity
3) Perseverance
4) Self control
5) Indomitable spirit

TAEKWONDO AS A SPORT
As a sport, Taekowndo is rapidly taking its place in the world sport MILIEU. Blocking, kicking, and punching techniques all contribute to making Taekwondo one of the most exciting competitive sports. Tremendous skill and control are required in Taekwondo. Its challenge lies in the adept use of the techniques yet without having or very little body contact. Therefore, injuries are infrequent and minor. Taekwondo has many sanctioned tournaments throughout the year. From inter-schools, to state level, to the nationals and of course there is the SEA GAMES, ASEAN, THE OLYMPICS, and The World Championships.

All these are organised and affilliated to the World Taekwondo Federation whose headquarters is in SEOUL, KOREA.

TAEKWONDO FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS
Many think that breaking boards and bricks is what Taekwondo consists of, but this is an entirely mistaken concept. Taekwondo demonstrations showing such feats as breaking boards and bricks are merely to show the power and speed that the human body is capable of utilizing through Taekwondo training. Taekwondo is one of the most comprehensive methods of physical fitness since it utilizes every muscle of the body. Because of this, it is a natural weight-regulator, either taking pounds off or putting them on as needed.

TAEKWONDO FOR SELF-DEFENSE
Taekwondo is considered the ultimate in unarmed self-defense because of the techniques that is involved. In Korea, the presidential protective force are all trained in Taekwondo, and several other countries are also adopting Taekwondo into the training programs of their protective forces. Even malaysian very own Armed Forces and Polis are training under Taekwondo.

TAEKWONDO AS AN ART
Through the coordination of control, balance and techniques in Taekwondo forms, Taekwondo is regarded as a beautiful and highly skilled oriential art. Through the demonstration of the forms, you will see what skill and techniques is required to produce a perfect form.

Contact

Mr. Henry Lee
Lot 2543, 3rd floor, Central Park, 93250 Kuching Sarawak Malaysia

Tel: 082-334011, 019-8866218
Fax: 082-485155

Email: henryltl@yahoo.com.sg

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