International Taekwondo Organizations

Illustration of taekwondo practitioners in various poses against a global map backdrop, representing international taekwondo organizations.

Table of Contents

Overview of Major Taekwondo Organizations

Taekwondo has grown into one of the world’s most practised martial arts, and much of its global success is due to the establishment of several influential international Taekwondo organizations. These organizations play a key role in promoting Taekwondo, standardizing techniques, organizing competitions, and supporting the growth of martial art worldwide.

The two most prominent organizations in Taekwondo are the World Taekwondo (WT) and the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). Each organization has its own approach to martial art, with some focusing more on the sport aspect, while others emphasize traditional techniques, self-defence, and philosophical training.

World Taekwondo (WT)

History of World Taekwondo

World Taekwondo (WT), formerly known as the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), is the largest international governing body for Taekwondo and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). WT focuses heavily on the sports aspect of Taekwondo, particularly Olympic sparring and poomsae competitions.

Foundation and Mission:

  • Founded: May 28, 1973
  • Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

WT was created to promote Taekwondo as a global sport and ensure its practice adhered to standardized rules, especially for international competitions. The organization’s mission is to develop Taekwondo as both a martial art and a sport, promoting peace, respect, and fair play worldwide.

Olympic Recognition:

One of WT’s most significant achievements was securing Taekwondo’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. Starting as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Taekwondo became an official medal sport in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. WT remains the governing body for Taekwondo in the Olympics.

WT competition focuses on Kyorugi (sparring) and poomsae (forms), with a point-based system and protective gear, such as headgear and chest protectors, to ensure the safety of athletes.

Standardization and Kukkiwon:

WT works closely with Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters), the official centre for Taekwondo black belt certification. Kukkiwon also oversees the standardization of Taekwondo techniques and guides promoting martial arts globally. The Taegeuk poomsae series, practised by WT Taekwondo practitioners, was developed by Kukkiwon to standardize the forms used in competitions and belt tests.

World Taekwondo Competitions:

WT hosts major international events, including:

  • World Taekwondo Championships
  • World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships
  • Grand Prix Series

These competitions bring together the best Taekwondo athletes from around the world, further promoting the sport’s global appeal.

International Taekwondo Federation (ITF)

History of the ITF

The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), founded by General Choi Hong Hi in 1966, is one of the key organizations responsible for spreading Taekwondo worldwide. ITF Taekwondo focuses on traditional aspects of the martial art, including self-defence, forms (tuls), and philosophical teachings.

Foundation and Mission:

  • Founded: March 22, 1966, by General Choi Hong Hi
  • Headquarters: Originally based in Seoul, South Korea, later moved to Vienna, Austria.

ITF’s mission is to preserve traditional Taekwondo, promoting it as both a martial art and a discipline for self-development. It emphasizes the moral and philosophical principles of Taekwondo, particularly the Five Tenets: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.

Philosophical and Technical Emphasis:

ITF Taekwondo places great emphasis on teaching the philosophical values of Taekwondo, as outlined by General Choi Hong Hi. Training includes not only physical techniques but also a focus on discipline, respect, and character development. ITF techniques include a combination of hand and foot techniques, with an equal emphasis on both. Unlike WT, ITF sparring rules allow hand strikes to the head, and ITF Taekwondo incorporates more traditional stances and movements.

Patterns (Tuls):

ITF practitioners perform a series of patterns known as tuls or hyungs, which are a central part of training. These patterns emphasize the application of Taekwondo techniques in a simulated combat situation and represent different levels of difficulty depending on the practitioner’s belt rank. Some well-known tuls include Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San, and Hwa-Rang.

International Recognition:

ITF Taekwondo has a strong presence worldwide, particularly in Europe, North America, and Asia. Although it is not recognized as an Olympic sport, ITF holds its international competitions, such as the ITF World Championships, which include sparring, patterns, and breaking events.

The Split within ITF:

After the passing of General Choi Hong Hi in 2002, the ITF experienced internal divisions, resulting in the formation of multiple organizations, all claiming the ITF name. These groups operate independently but share the goal of promoting traditional Taekwondo based on General Choi’s original teachings.

Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters)

What is Kukkiwon?

Kukkiwon, often referred to as the World Taekwondo Headquarters, is located in Seoul, South Korea. It plays a central role in setting technical standards for Taekwondo and is closely aligned with WT.

Foundation and Mission:

  • Founded: November 30, 1972
  • Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

Kukkiwon’s mission is to promote the unification and globalization of Taekwondo by establishing standardized guidelines for belt certifications, techniques, and teaching methodologies.

Black Belt Certification:

Kukkiwon is the official institution that issues Dan certificates (black belt rankings) recognized worldwide. Taekwondo practitioners who achieve black belt status through Kukkiwon are recognized across the globe, making it the most prestigious certification in Taekwondo.

Role in Standardizing Techniques:

Kukkiwon works in conjunction with WT to standardize Taekwondo techniques and poomsae. The development of the Taegeuk poomsae and black belt forms such as Koryo, Keumgang, and Taebaek were created by Kukkiwon to ensure consistency in training across different schools and countries.

Taekwondo Demonstrations and Diplomatic Efforts:

Kukkiwon is also known for organizing Taekwondo demonstration teams, which travel the world to promote Taekwondo as both a sport and a cultural tradition. These demonstrations play a key role in strengthening Taekwondo’s image as a martial art that promotes peace and discipline.

Other Taekwondo Organizations

Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF)

The Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF) was founded by Grandmaster Park Jung-Tae in the 1990s after he parted ways with the ITF. The GTF aims to bridge the gap between traditional and modern Taekwondo. It incorporates a wide range of techniques and places a strong emphasis on technical excellence and martial arts values.

The Role of International Organizations in Taekwondo’s Growth

Promoting Global Unity:

Through international competitions, seminars, and events, organizations like WT, ITF, and Kukkiwon have helped spread Taekwondo across the globe. These organizations promote unity within the Taekwondo community while respecting the diversity of training approaches and techniques.

Standardizing Curriculum and Certification:

One of the main roles of international organizations is to ensure that Taekwondo practitioners worldwide are trained to the same high standards. This includes standardized belt certification, competition rules, and teaching methodologies.

Fostering Cultural Exchange:

Taekwondo organizations play a vital role in promoting Korean culture, using martial arts as a tool for fostering cultural exchange and diplomacy. International Taekwondo events help build bridges between countries and promote understanding through a shared passion for martial arts.

Conclusion

International Taekwondo organizations have been instrumental in shaping the modern landscape of Taekwondo. Whether through promoting the sport in the Olympics, preserving traditional techniques, or fostering global unity, these organizations ensure that Taekwondo continues to evolve while maintaining its rich cultural and philosophical heritage. Whether practitioners train in ITF, WT, or another Taekwondo system, they all share the core values of discipline, respect, and perseverance that define the martial art.

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