More than a thousand years ago, Korean warriors developed unarmed self-defense techniques to complement their skills with weapons. Martial art masters united the uniquely Korean schools into a single national sport; they called it Tae kwon do.
And in the last five decades it has become part of a world wide phenomenon. Known for its spinning kicks and potent hand techniques Tae Kwon Do literally translates into "The way of the hand and foot."
Tae kwon do's global following led to its inclusion in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Master Cheon coached the American team to victory. Now his focus is to train the next generation of gold medalists. Training requires learning the graceful and powerful kicking, punching and blocking techniques practiced in traditional sets. Students must also become proficient in one-step sparring, short set sequences of attacks and counter-attacks.
David Kang who serves in the US Tae kwon do Center says fighting your classmates, or fighting in a tournament you're going to be used to that type of situation and when you are actually encountered by somebody who wants to physically harm you-your mind will just click into that fighting mode and you'll be ready.
Tampa, Florida is home to this year's junior nationals, a qualifying competition for the national team. The competitors gear up for their matches, they'll have just three rounds to try and outscore their opponents.
Stephen Lopez, the U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist says the way you make a point is to kick above the torso hitting the chest protector or to the face, which are both one point.
Tae kwon do matches are won with strategy and timing. It's an aggressive sport. It's also very technical. It's kind of like chess, you can't just go out there and fight and expect to win. This art has come to represent competition and winning. There is still a lifetime of learning in-store for the students of Tae Kwon Do.
Click to find more about Martial Arts
Click to find more about Tae Kwon Do
No comments:
Post a Comment