What is Tae Kwon Do?

Tae Kwon Do is an ancient martial art that originated in Korea, which was an unarmed combat style developed by the three Korean Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje.  The art combines hand strikes, joint locks, throws and submissions.  But the thing that separates Tae Kwon Do from other martial arts is its emphasis on kicking and foot strikes.  

 Tae means “to strike with foot”; Kwon means “to strike with fist”; and Do means “way” or “method” or “path”.  Thus, Tae Kwon Do is loosely translated as “the art of kicking and punching”.  

Today, Tae Kwon Do is one of the world’s most popular martial arts in terms of number of practitioners and spans across the world.  It has also been an official Olympic Event since 2000.