History of TaeKwonDo | AmericanMartialArts

US History of TaeKwonDo

1975 - First USA National Team

The Rise of Taekwondo

Taekwondo, a Korean martial art with a focus on high, fast kicking and jumping techniques, has gained immense popularity in the United States over the past few decades. From its humble beginnings in post-World War II Korea, it has grown into an internationally recognized sport practiced by millions of people worldwide. This article will explore the origins of Taekwondo, its spread to the United States, and its subsequent growth in popularity.

Great GM Ki Whang Kim is visited by Kim Yong Chae President of the Korea Taekwondo Assn. in 1968

The Origins of Taekwondo

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Ancient depiction of Korean Martial Arts Over 2000 years old

Taekwondo's roots can be traced back to ancient Korea, where it evolved from various martial arts such as TaeKyons and Subak. The modern form of Taekwondo, however, emerged in the late 1940s and early 1950s in South Korea. The country was reeling from the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, and there was a strong desire to promote a unified Korean martial art.

general choi hong hi - Father of TaeKwonDo
1918 - 2002

General Choi Hong Hi, a South Korean army general and martial artist, played a pivotal role in Taekwondo's development. He combined elements of Shotokan Karate and traditional Korean martial arts to create a new discipline that emphasized high kicks, jumping, and spinning techniques. In 1955, the name "Taekwondo" was chosen to represent this new martial art, with "Tae" meaning "to kick," "Kwon" meaning "to punch," and "Do" meaning "the way."

American Tang Soo Do - 1960s

Taekwondo Comes to the United States

Initiated as the Capital Infantry Division, the Tiger Division was activated on June 20, 1949, in Seoul

Taekwondo's journey to the United States began in the late 1950s and early 1960s. As the US military maintained a strong presence in South Korea following the Korean War, American servicemen became exposed to the martial art and began training in it. These servicemen played a crucial role in introducing Taekwondo to the United States when they returned home.

jhoon rhee 1970s - one of the founders of TaeKwonDo in America

In the 1960s and 1970s, Taekwondo masters from Korea started to immigrate to the United States to open schools and teach the martial art. The first Taekwondo school in the US was established in 1963 by Jhoon Rhee, a master who is often referred to as the "Father of American Taekwondo." Rhee's school in Washington, D.C., attracted a diverse group of students, and his teachings quickly spread throughout the country.

Chuck Norris - 1960s

The Growing Popularity of Taekwondo in the USA

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Joseph Hayes and Bruce Lee circa 1969 in Washington D.C.

Several factors contributed to the growth and popularity of Taekwondo in the United States. American interest in martial arts in general surged during the 1970s, fueled by the success of martial arts films featuring stars like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Taekwondo stood out among other martial arts due to its impressive, high-flying techniques, which made it visually appealing and exciting to watch.

The establishment of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) in 1973 further propelled the martial art's popularity. The WTF aimed to promote Taekwondo as an international sport, and it succeeded in getting the discipline included as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Taekwondo was later adopted as an official Olympic sport in 2000, which solidified its status as a legitimate and respected athletic discipline.

Haeng Ung Lee - Founder of ATA

Another factor contributing to Taekwondo's popularity in the United States was the development of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) in 1969. The ATA focused on creating a standardized system of teaching Taekwondo, which made it easier for people to learn and progress in the martial art. In 1984 ATA fractionalize giving rise to many independent Martial Art schools across the United States and the world. American Martial Arts is one such school. We recognize The International TaeKwonDo Federation original patterns and style.