SageGhost

Ssireum (Korean MMA-type style) Tukong Musul (Modern military self defense style) Choi Kwang Do (Another kicking style) Kuk-Gung (Traditional Archery) Haidong Kumdo (Korean variation of Kendo and Iaido put together) Shim Soo Do (Korean variation of Iaido) Sunmudo (More Tai Chi-like art connected to Seon Buddhism) Kyuktoogi (Free fighting, may not be a "style" per se, like San Shou) Tahn Bong (Short Stick) Jang Bong(sp?) (Long Stick, Korean equivalent of Kobudo Bo) Jang Chang (Traditional Korean Spear work, I have only seen it once so I don't know if it is a legit "style" or just the name of the weapon)

Sounds like a very interesting mix to me, and your teacher is legit, so I don't see why you shouldn't practice it. You love it and it is within your price range, so go for it. I wouldn't get too caught up in names unless there is an obvious disparity such as calling something Karate when it is BJJ. Tang Soo Do literally translates as "KarateDo" in Korean, so that is not misleading at all because it technically is Karate, just a Korean flavor of it. I like to refer to these styles as the 'Karate Family' of styles because they are all connected in that respect and often share the same exact forms. Karate, Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, or all of them put together, you are still getting a good style that is legit. Now, I can't always vouch for the teachers and organizations . Good luck in your training and, most importantly, have a good time .

You are right, it is not the same Taekkyon. There is traditional Taekkyon, which is the old, authentic version, and you have modern Taekkyon revival, which is the modern TKD-influenced version. It can be pretty confusing and it is often the very source of the claim that TKD came from Taekkyon. TKD kicks are designed to destroy while Taekkyon's kicks were designed to unbalance. I am thinking that adding Taekkyon kicks to one's TKD arsenal would make their kicking more versatile as you would have the power/destructive kicks of TKD mixed with the flowing/unbalancing kicks of Taekkyon. I don't know how compatible they would be though - the whole "rhythm" of Taekkyon doesn't seem to mix very well with the more hyper "rhythm" of TKD. I could be wrong, though.

Isn't part of being a good striker being able to avoid and/or defeat the takedown attempt? If that is the case then it only makes Cung Le look that much better. I was surprised that he won with kicks, though. It goes to show that everything will work if you train it right. Kimbo would probably still pwn him, though . That guy is a beast.

I guess that I should've posted here first. Ummm, let's see - I am new. I am a humble and respectful person who looks at every angle of a discussion or debate and is willing to accept that he can be wrong at times. I love to have fun and make jokes every now and then, and I value friendship and connections that I make with others. I also believe in putting the truth out for all to see even if it is unpopular. I look forward to meeting many great people on here . (Well, I already know Youngman and he is cool, so I guess I should say "meeting many *more* great people on here )

Or modern Tae Kyon is influenced by popular TKD? I am going with you on this one. The Taekkyon people even deny the link between the two styles. Combining Taekkyon with Taekwondo though, that would do wonders for your kicking game, I suppose.

The first one was just that, it was the first unified form of TaeKwonDo when the Korean fighting arts were unified. Later it was replaced with a more flashy kata, the modern version of koryo. Really the forms look nothing alike. Brad I find that to be very interesting - two Koryo's. Isn't Heian Shodan a remixed or updated version of Pinan Nidan? It is pretty interesting to see the changes made to the forms over time.

Holy crap! Youngman, I didn't know that you were on here! Small world, my friend! I decided to join this forum and wow, there is somebody that I know on here. Hmmm, the ole' Karate and TKD question, eh? TKD came from Japanese/Okinawan Karate. Early TKD was an exact replica of Shotokan, it even used karate gi's and contained the same exact katas. Of course, TKD has changed and evolved into something different and original now, but the connection is definitely there and clear for all to see. Hmmm, DWx - you are totally correct, the Taekkyon headquarters in Korea denies any link with TKD and they would know more about Taekkyon than the Kukkiwon seeing as how its their own style and all. Most of the "history" of TKD is propaganda put forth in an attempt to deny the Japanese connection because Koreans don't like Japanese. Not to mention the new forms created (I.E. remixed from the Japanese/Okinawan versions and called something new) on the basis of nationalism and Korean history. Can you say Martial Xenophobia? The two styles contain the same techs too - yes, Karate contains every kick contained in TKD, they are just not practiced or emphasized as much as in TKD. Tournament Karate even contains high flying kicks, itself. Youngman, it is not to say that all TKD is a Korean version of Japanese Karate, it is to say that *both* styles are brothers who have a common origin in Okinawa. Think of Okinawa Karate as the father, and Japanese Karate and TKD (even called Korean Karate at one point) as the sons of the father, and brothers to each other.