What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. It is also regarded as the world's most popular martial art in terms of number of practitioners. Sparring, or kyeorugi, is an official Olympic sporting event. In Korean, tae means feet or kicking; kwon means hands or striking; and do means art, way, or method. Hence, taekwondo is loosely translated as the way of the foot and fist.

Taekwondo's popularity has resulted in the varied evolution of the martial art into several domains: as with many other arts, it combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, meditation and philosophy.

There are two main styles of Taekwondo: World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), which is practiced at the Olympics; and International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). Although there are technical differences among the two taekwondo styles and organizations, the art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). Circular motions that generate power are of central importance. Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, and throws.