Introduction
Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art known for its powerful kicks, dynamic footwork, and amazing speed. Taekwondo training helps with physical agility, mental discipline, self-defense, and respecting others; it also shows you courtesy, perseverance, and self-control. Taekwondo is practiced worldwide and is also an Olympic sport. There are two types of taekwondo: ITF, meaning International Taekwondo Federation, and WTF Taekwondo, meaning World Taekwondo Federation.
Background of taekwondo
Taekwondo, meaning foot and hand, is a modern martial art dating to the 1940s and 1950s in Korea. Several traditional schools known as Kwans began merging their martial art styles for multiple purposes: to standardize a form of military training, to create a centralized national sport, and to rebuild Korean cultural identity. General Choi Hong-Hi, the founder of Taekwondo, officially recognized this in 1955 and adopted its name, Taekwondo. Choi Hong-Hi helped shape Taekwondo and make it spread to 123 nations by combining Oh Do Kwan Karate and Tang Soo Do, developing a new and more palatable style of Taekwondo.
New School
New school taekwondo shifted primarily toward front leg use/fencing, heavily relying on front leg kicks and counter kicking. New school Taekwondo often uses hand strikes and clinch work, emphasizing a more competitive and more flashy style of taekwondo.
Old School
Old school taekwondo focused more on balance, power, technique, strategy, and one clear, powerful kick. Unlike the modern approach, fighters use attacks like back leg kicks, clinch work, and hand strikes. This style of taekwondo helps measure and set up kicks by using effective hand and footwork to defeat their opponents, prioritizing a more cautious and defensive style.
Which do you prefer?
Which one would you rather choose? The old style of powerful techniques, hand strikes, and lots of kicking, or the new style of faster, more tactical, and more calculated game. Neither is better; it depends on what you like and what you’re training for. If you’re looking to train for Olympic style, choose New School WTF Taekwondo, but if you want strong fast kicks for actual combat, choose Old School ITF Taekwondo.
