Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and combat sport that emphasizes kicking techniques. It is practised in many styles and under several organizations.^[1] World Taekwondo reports 215 national member associations as of 2026.^[2]

Overview #

Modern Taekwondo did not come from a single founder. It developed after 1945 through a group of Korean martial arts schools called kwans, which later worked toward a shared name and, eventually, separate international organizations. The History of Taekwondo article explains how this happened and where the sources disagree.

Styles and organizations #

Two international traditions are most visible:

• World Taekwondo (WT) governs the Olympic-style sport and works closely with the Kukkiwon, the technical centre in Seoul.^[2]
• The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), founded by Choi Hong-hi in 1966, uses its own patterns and rules. Since 2002 several separate groups have claimed its heritage.

National federations and independent schools sit under, alongside or outside these bodies.

Explore #

• Etymology of Taekwondo: what the name means and how it was formed.
• Belt ranks and grades: gup, dan and the colour belt system.
• Techniques and forms: kicks, hand techniques, stances, patterns and sparring.
• Taekwondo at the Olympics: demonstration status in 1988 and 1992 and medal status since 2000.
• Sparring and protective equipment: how competition and safety gear work.
• Kwans: the schools that shaped the art.
• Major Taekwondo organizations compared: how World Taekwondo, the Kukkiwon, the ITF, USA Taekwondo and the ATA relate.