TAE KWON DO????? What?

[koreantiger81]

The name Tae Kwon do has been used too loosely...I thought Tae kwon do was only the World TAe kwon do federation, and the INternational Tae Kwon do Federation...

 

However, there is the Modern-American Tae Kwon Do, Jhoon Rhee's system of Tae kwon do, International Tae kwon do Association, World Tae kwon do ASsociation, United States TAe kwon do Union, etc.

 

Jhoon Rhee's system also claims they are part of the International TAe kwon do federation, when they don't practice the "sine wave" and only practice I.T.F forms after black belt. Also they have a brownbelt in their system!~ I.T.F and W.T.F don't have brownbelts... I don't know if any other organization other than the I.T.F and the W.T.F have the right to use the label TAE KWON DO. I felt mislead when my black belt in jhoon ree's system of tae kwon do was not recognized with the I.T.F, when Jhoon Ree's system of tae kwon do is part of the I.T.F.

 

What do you guys think?

 

 

[ckdstudent]

This is why Tae Kwon Do is the largest martial art in the world, nearly as many forms of it as there are of Kung Fu.

 

 

[Ti-Kwon-Leap]

It's just a name.

 

 

[TKD_McGee]

They are all related in some mysterious way. I am in the TKD Union myself... its a Northwest US thing.

 

 

[ckdstudent]

They all originate eventually from Korea, and many of the techniques and principles are similar between the various versions.

 

 

[KickChick]

Ah ... so you thought wrong! There are numerous branches and associations of TKD(sport, traditional and ecclectic).

 

Unfortunately, practitioners will be well aware of the opposing political problems of Tae Kwon Do and the agruments between associations, Masters, Grand-Masters and even Korea as a country on this subject.

 

There is an incredible history and tradition that is the foundation of this martial art. Each branch will have its own story to tell.

 

I feel as a whole from what I have seen many new associations/unions are slowly uniting TKD into a more traditional martial art.

 

_________________

 

KarateForums Sensei

 

1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF)

 

Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr.

 

[ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-05-21 11:11 ]

[tessone]

Where does Korea as a nation (or government, I suppose) stand in the argument?

 

 

[KickChick]

In 1966 Choi formed the International Taekwon-Do Federation and left Korea and the KTA, and eventually in 1973 the KTA changed its format, essentially becoming the World Taekwondo Federation. (Actually the Korean TKD Association still exists as a national governing body for TKD in Korea; the World TKD Federation is the worldwide parent organization and each country has its own national governing body. In the U.S. this is the United States TKD Union.)

 

In size, the World Taekwondo Federation is much bigger, with many more people involved world wide all committed to spreading the art. WTF schools vary widely in what forms are practiced, how much stress is given to self-defense versus competition, testing requirements, etc. Its history is that of tolerating differences and sharing credit. The ITF is a small (although worldwide) organization driven by one man, who makes sure the entire organization does the same forms in the same way.

 

Politically, Choi has received much criticism for his trips to North Korea and support of the Communist dictator.

 

 

[tessone]

Gotcha.

 

I remember seeing some ads in TKD Times calling for unification and things. Is it even a possibility?

[spinninggumby]

Remember that a lot of the differences and separation between ITF and WTF (and other taekwondo groups or organizations) result from political motives or reasons. The possibility of uniting the ITF and WTF is almost as likely to happen as the U.S. joining with communist China or Afghanistan as a single country.

 

Maybe I'm just being too cynical?