Translated literally "Tae" means to fly, jump or  to kick, or smash with the foot.  "Kwon" denotes the fist, mainly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist.  "Do" means the method, art, or way.   Thus taken collectively "Taekwondo" indicates the mental training and the techniques of unarmed combat for self defense as well as health, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks and dodges with bare hands and feet to repel the moving opponent or opponents. 

Taekwondo involves the scientific use of the body in self defense, gaining ultimate use of its facilities through intensive physical and mental training.  As a martial art, it has no equal in either power or technique.  Its discipline, technique and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve.  It is this mental conditioning that separates the true practitioner from the sensationalist, content with mastering only the fighting aspects of the art.  That is one of the reasons that Taekwondo is called an art of self defense.  It also implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of self imposed discipline and an ideal of noble moral rearmament. 

Taekwondo enables the weak to possess a fine weapon together with a confidence to defend him or herself and defeat the opponent as well.  Of course, wrongly applied, Taekwondo can be a lethal weapon. Therefore mental training must be always be stressed to prevent the student from misusing it. 

Taekwondo is the name of the martial art turned modern international sport which has been independently developed over about 20 centuries in Korea. It is a free-fighting combat sport using bare hands and feet to repel an opponent. 

Taekwondo was developed as a defense against enemy attacks. In old days people living simple lives lacked physical fitness and their bodies became bent in their old age. Taekwondo also served to improve health, physical fitness and poise of the people practicing it. 

Taekwondo teaches self-confidence and mental discipline.  Self-confidence makes people generous in their attitudes toward weaker people. They can stand equally against any opponent, but their code forbids unfair assaults or unnecessary use of force. Taekwondo gives an individual the mental attitude of  modesty. The virtues of modesty and generosity are fundamentally based on self-confidence. 

Healthy bodies make man active and powerful. Such mental and physical self-confidence are beneficial to the life of individuals as well as to their families, neighbors and their nation. 

On September 16, 1961, the Korean Taekwondo Association was established. Korean  instructors began going abroad to teach Taekwondo in the 1960s – a turning point in the history of Taekwondo.  It came to be a world sport through the 1st World Taekwondo Championships held in Seoul, Korea in May 1973 with the participation of 19 countries. There, representatives established the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). 

In recent years, Taekwondo has become a modern amateur sport.  It has become a modern world sport with tradition and spirit of martial science maintained.  It has become a major entry in annual athletic meets. Constitution, rules, regulations, and promotion test rules were all developed to meet requirements as international amateur sport. It is currently an Olympic event for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. 

Propagation of the Competition Rules of the WTF has been made through International Referee (IR) Seminars held 29 times and the IR Refresher Courses held 14 times, exchanges of visits and booklets under auspices of the WTF and member national associations. For the purpose of impartial judgement of competitions, the WTF is promoting the development of electronic protectors and introduction of differential scoring system.  Together with this, Executive Council of the WTF set up an Ad Hoc Committee to conduct in-depth study of Kukkiwon Dan promotion procedures. 

The Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) is the official organization duly recognized by the WTF.  The PTA is headed by its President Robert Aventajado, and Vice-President Mr. Sung Chon Hong.  Aventajado, 50, is also head of the Philippine President Joseph Estrada's Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects.  Mr. Hong, 8th Dan instructor and undefeated champion in Korea, is the driving force behind the PTA.  In the Philippines, the PTA has over 1500 chapters and over 500,000 members.   The PTA can be contacted at the following mailing address:

Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA)
Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
Vito Cruz Street, Malate
Metro-Manila, P.O.Box 2272
Philippines

Telephone: (63-2) 815-2135; Fax: (63-2) 817-7235

Web site: http://www.philippinetaekwondo.com

The Dobuk.

Taekwondo uniform (dobuk) is neither expensive nor luxurious. It is designed to fit for free body actions. It is believed that the white color of the uniform signifies the purity and origin of all colors as well as a state which can absorb any kind of learning. 

Belts.
The belts are black (adult), red/black(Junior/children), red, blue, green, yellow and white; each color designating the degree of graded proficiency possessed by one wearing the belt. In the Philippines a brown belt is used instead of the red belt, red instead of blue, and blue instead of green. 

The white belt is for the beginner, that is, holders of 9th and 10th Keup and the yellow belt is worn by 7th and 8th Keup holders. The green (blue in the Philippines) belt is used by 5th and 6th Keup holders, the blue (red in the Phil.) belt is used by 3d and 4th Keup holders, while the red (brown in the Phil.) is used by first 1st and 2nd Keup holders. The black belt is for Taekwondo experts red/black belt is for those who hold 1st through 3rd Poom in the junior division. The Kukkiwon is authorized to conduct promotion tests and issue Dan and Poom certificates in  accordance with the regulations on Promotion Tests of the Kukkiwon