Taekwondo has no single founder. General Choi Hong Hi led the unification of Korea’s separate schools in 1955 and is credited with the name.
The timeline covers the older Korean arts Taekkyon and Subak, World Taekwondo founded in 1973 alongside the ITF, the demonstration events of 1988 and 1992, the full medal debut in Sydney in 2000, and the electronic scoring vests.
Key Facts
| Who invented taekwondo? | No single founder. General Choi Hong Hi led the unification of Korea’s separate schools and is credited with the name. |
| Where did it start? | Korea, out of the older arts Taekkyon and Subak, whose stances appear in tomb murals more than 2000 years old. |
| What does the name mean? | Roughly the way of the foot and the fist. It was chosen in 1955 when the schools agreed to unify. |
| Who governs it? | World Taekwondo, founded in 1973, runs the Olympic style. The International Taekwon-Do Federation runs the other. |
| When did it become Olympic? | A demonstration sport in 1988 and 1992, a full medal sport in Sydney in 2000. |
| What changed the sport most? | Electronic scoring vests and instant video replay, which turned a judged sport into a measured one. |
Taekwondo History Summary
- ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Taekwondo’s rich history traces back to ancient Korea, where martial arts like Taekkyon and Subak laid the foundation. In the mid-20th century, various Korean martial arts schools unified under the name Taekwondo, promoting its distinctive techniques and philosophy.
- 🚀 Rise to Prominence: Taekwondo’s international reach grew rapidly, thanks to demonstrations by Korean masters, military training, and sports diplomacy. The World Taekwondo Federation (now World Taekwondo) was established in 1973, propelling the martial art to a global stage.
- 🥇 Noteworthy Growth and Adaptation: With its inclusion as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and as an official Olympic event in 2000, Taekwondo’s popularity soared worldwide. Embracing technological advancements, like electronic scoring systems, the martial art continues to evolve, adapt, and thrive.
Timeline
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Before 1900 | Taekkyon and Subak are practised across Korea. Tomb murals at Muyongchong show stances still used today. |
| 1955 | The kwans unify and the name Taekwondo is chosen. Dozens of separate schools become one art. |
| 1960s | Korean masters demonstrate abroad and foreign militaries adopt the art for close combat training. |
| 1973 | The World Taekwondo Federation is founded in Seoul and the sport gets one competition rulebook. |
| 1980 | The IOC recognises the International Taekwon-Do Federation, the first formal step towards the Games. |
| 1988 | Demonstration sport at the Seoul Olympics, in front of a home crowd. |
| 2000 | Full Olympic medal sport in Sydney. Participation and funding grow sharply in dozens of countries. |
| 2012 | Instant video replay arrives in London and coaches can challenge a call for the first time. |
| Today | Practised in more than 200 countries, one of the most widely trained martial arts in the world. |
The step that mattered most is not on the Olympic rows. Unifying the kwans in 1955 is what made everything after it possible, because a martial art with a dozen competing rulebooks cannot be judged, let alone put on a programme.
Taekwondo scores head kicks higher than anything else, which is unusual even among striking arts. See the full kicking sports list for how it compares.
Ancient Korea
The origins of Taekwondo date back to ancient Korea over 2,000 years ago, where martial arts like Taekkyon and Subak were practiced. Murals in ancient tombs, such as the Muyongchong, Goguryeo, and Silla dynasties, depict warriors showcasing fighting stances and techniques similar to those in modern Taekwondo.
During the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE, 668 CE), each Korean kingdom developed its unique form of martial arts. The Silla Kingdom’s elite youth warrior group, known as Hwarang, practiced Subak and contributed significantly to Taekwondo’s early development.
1940s to 1950s
After World War II and the Korean War, various Korean martial arts schools, or kwans, sought to unify their practice. In 1955, the Korea Taekwondo Association was formed, and the name “Taekwondo” was chosen to represent the unified martial art. General Choi Hong Hi, one of Taekwondo’s founding fathers, played a crucial role in the merging of kwans and promotion of the martial art.
Beyond unification, South Korean military forces began incorporating Taekwondo in their training, demonstrating its effectiveness as a self-defense technique. Shortly after, Taekwondo also became a part of physical education programs in schools across South Korea.
1960s to 1970s
Taekwondo’s global influence expanded during the 1960s, when Korean masters started traveling and performing martial art demonstrations worldwide. Foreign militaries, particularly in Southeast Asia and the United States, adopted Taekwondo for self-defense training.
In 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), now known as World Taekwondo (WT), was established. The first-ever World Taekwondo Championships were held in Seoul, South Korea, in the same year, solidifying Taekwondo’s recognition as an international martial art.
1980s
In 1980, the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), founded by General Choi Hong Hi, gained recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This marked a significant milestone for Taekwondo, bringing it closer to Olympic participation.
Eight years later, Taekwondo made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The event showcased the martial art’s grace, power, and unique techniques to a global audience, further increasing its popularity.
1990s
Taekwondo continued to gain momentum in the 1990s, becoming a demonstration sport once again in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Meanwhile, the number of countries practicing Taekwondo rose dramatically, with over 120 nations joining World Taekwondo by the mid-1990s.
As the martial art gained international prominence, World Taekwondo shifted its focus towards the standardization of techniques and forms, known as poomsae. This facilitated consistent teaching and judging in competitions globally.
2000s
Taekwondo made its debut as an official Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This inclusion significantly boosted the martial art’s global appeal, leading to rapid growth in participation and institutional support worldwide.
With increased global attention, World Taekwondo initiated advancements in safety equipment and electronic scoring systems to enhance the fairness and accuracy of Taekwondo competitions.
2010s to Present
Technological advancements continue to shape modern Taekwondo. The introduction of the Instant Video Replay system at the 2012 London Olympics enabled judges to make more accurate decisions during competitions, maintaining the integrity of the sport.
Today, Taekwondo is practiced in over 200 countries, with millions of practitioners worldwide. Organizations like World Taekwondo and the International Taekwondo Federation remain committed to promoting the martial art’s core values of self-discipline, respect, and perseverance, preserving Taekwondo’s rich history and ensuring its growth in the future.
Learn about the physical and mental challenges that make it such a demanding sport in our article on why taekwondo is the hardest sport.
FAQ
Who invented Taekwondo?
General Choi Hong Hi of the South Korean military is often credited with founding Taekwondo in the mid-20th century, integrating martial arts techniques from different Asian countries.
How did Taekwondo become so popular?
Taekwondo gained popularity worldwide due to its inclusion in the Olympics, effective fitness and self-defense benefits, and international outreach by the World Taekwondo Federation.
Where did Taekwondo originate?
Taekwondo originated in Korea, combining aspects of native Korean martial arts, like Taekkyon and Subak, with other Asian fighting styles.
