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Tae Kwon-Do is the Korean Art of self-defence and means 'Art of Hand and Foot
Fighting'. It is a version of an ancient form of unarmed combat practised for many centuries in the Orient. Tae Kwon-Do came
to be perfected in it's present form in Korea.
Translated from Korean, "Tae" literally means to jump, kick or smash with
the foot. "Kwon" denotes a fist chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. "Do" means art, way or method. Tae Kwon-Do
indicates the technique of unarmed combat for self-defence, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks, dodges
and interception with the hand, arms and feet to the rapid destruction of the opponent.
Tae Kwon-Do was inaugurated in South Korea on April 11, 1955 following extensive
research and development by the founder Major General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Degree Black Belt. It was introduced into the United
Kingdom in 1967.
To the Korean people Tae Kwon-Do is more than a mere physical use of skilled
movements. It also implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling concept and spirit of strict self-imposed
discipline and an ideal of noble moral rearmament.
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In
these days, where violence and intimidation seem to plague our modern societies, Tae Kwon-Do enables the weak to possess a
fine weapon to defend himself or herself and defeat the opponent as well. When wrongly applied it can be a lethal weapon.
Even if Tae Kwon-Do is practised for exercise alone, the enjoyment dervied will justify the time invested and spent. As an
exercise it is equally suitable for old as for the young, for men and for women.
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