International Taekwondo Federation

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International Taekwondo Federation
Formation	1966
Website	http://www.tkd-itf.org

The International Taekwondo Federation or (ITF) exists to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of taekwondo. Its main functions are to coordinate and approve tournaments and seminars, setting standards for teaching (patterns, sparring, destruction), collaborating with affiliated member organizations, and servicing members in regards to rank and certifications.^[1]

The International Taekwondo Federation was founded in 1955, 11 April by General Choi Hong Hi (최홍희) in Seoul, Korea.^[1] In 1972 the headquarters for the ITF was moved to Toronto, Canada.^[1] In 1985 the headquarters for the ITF was moved to Vienna, Austria.^[1] Since the death of General Choi Hong Hi the administration headquarters has moved to Rome, Italy.^[2]

On 2002, 15 June, after the death of General Choi Hong Hi, Russell McClellan became acting president.^[3]

On 2003, 13 June, Trân Trięu Quân was elected president of the ITF at the 14th Congress of ITF in Warsaw, Poland.^[3] Trân Trięu Quân was born in Vietnam, but came over to Canada to attend Laval University in Quebec City. He started many taekwondo schools.^[4]

On 2007, 1 June, President Trân Triêu Quân was re-elected to be the president of ITF for another 4 years.^[4]

Contents 1 ITF patterns 2 Sparring 3 Ranks 3.1 Philosophical meaning 3.2 Black belt promotion 4 Philosophy 4.1 Taekwondo oath 4.2 Taekwondo tenets 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] ITF patterns

Main article: Hyeong

Patterns, or teul (틀) in Korean, originally called hyeong (형), form an important aspect of training in taekwondo. They are equivalent to the kata in karate. The majority of the patterns (excepting Eul-Ji and Tong-Il) start with a defensive move, which emphasizes taekwondo's defensive nature. All of the patterns start and end at the same location. This ensures that the practitioners' stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction.^{[citation needed]}

There are 24 patterns in the official ITF syllabus; this is symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. The names of these patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns may also be historical references, such as the number of moves, the diagram, the way the pattern ends, and so on.

[edit] Sparring

ITF competition sparring rounds are 2 minutes and in national and international levels of competition they hold two rounds each 2 minutes with a one minutes rest in between. Certain rules are no strikes below the belt, no hitting to the back of the head, no elbow strikes, no knee strikes, no out of control fighting, no falling down, no going outside of the ring. The ring is a 24 foot by 24 foot ring marked by square mats or tape instead of a traditional style kickboxing rings with ropes. It has no sides allowing the fighter to move out of bounds. Whenever a fighter creates an infraction of the rules the center referee will issue a warning to the fighter who created the infraction. 3 warnings equals a minus point. If a fighter does not listen to the referees instruction he or she may be given a foul which is an automatic minus point and if the fighter continues to not listen they can be disqualified. ITF taekwondo is fought in continuous point sparring. Four judges score the fights in each of the corners in the square ring. After the fight a judge votes for which ever fighter has the most points and a winner is declared. In the case of a draw the fighters go to a one minute overtime round. If there is another draw the fighters go to a sudden death round where the fighter who scores first is declared the winner.

The official rules for ITF sparring competition are available at the ITF website.^[5]

[edit] Ranks

The ITF ranking system consists of six solid color belts; white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.^[6]

• 10th geup (white)
• 9th geup (white with yellow stripe)
• 8th geup (yellow)
• 7th geup (yellow with green stripe)
• 6th geup (green)
• 5th geup (green with blue stripe)
• 4th geup (blue)
• 3rd geup (blue with red stripe)
• 2nd geup (red)
• 1st geup (red with a black stripe)

• 1st-3rd dan (black) with the title of Assistant Instructor (Boo-sabum)
• 4th-6th dan (black) with the title of Instructor (Sabum)
• 7th-8th dan (black) with the title of Master (Sahyun)
• 9th dan (black) with the title of Grand Master (Saseong)

The reason for nine black belt degrees is that the number nine is not only the highest of the single-digit numbers, but also is the number of three multiplied by three. In the Orient, three is the most esteemed of all numbers. The Chinese character for 3 is three horizontal lines, one above the other. The bottom line represents earth; the middle line represents mortals; the upper line represents heaven.^[7]

[edit] Philosophical meaning

• White - Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of taekwondo.
• Yellow - Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of taekwondo is being laid.
• Green - Signifies the plant's growth as taekwondo skills begin to develop.
• Blue - Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in taekwondo progresses.
• Red - Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
• Black - Opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in taekwondo, also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

[edit] Black belt promotion

Up to 7th dan, all ranks require the student to perform a test of all skills and knowledge up to their rank to be promoted. Ranks above 7th dan may be awarded with consent of the promotion committee with no physical test required; due to the nature of and responsibilities of a master no longer being centered on the physical development of students. However, if the recipient desires, a demonstration may be performed. 9th degree (being the highest) can only be awarded when the special committee examines and reaches a unanimous consent. There are minimum times that practitioners must remain at a black belt degree before being promoted to the next grade: 1st degree: minimum 18 months as 1st degree before promotion to 2nd degree; 2nd degree: minimum 2 years; 3rd degree: minimum 3 years; 4th degree: minimum 4 years; and so on.

[edit] Philosophy

The upsurge in aggressive behaviour in today’s society, ^[8] has led to a loss of the basic moral values that many people once shared. Analysts have noted that many people are misguided, left to search for their own values in a disillusioned society where of war, crime and corruption is common. General Choi Hong Hi believed through the philosophy of taekwondo that we could make the world a more peaceful place.^[8] In a time where much is corrupt it is hard for one to find their own way, to tell right from wrong, or to even resist temptation into doing that which believes is wrong.

The philosophy of taekwondo is summarized in the oath and the tenets.

[edit] Taekwondo oath

I shall observe the tenets of taekwondo.

All students must swear to carefully observe, acknowledge and live by each one of the taekwondo tenets. Here is a brief and basic explanation of each:^[9][8]

I shall respect my instructors and seniors.

A student vows to respect their instructors and those senior to them (both in age and rank). An instructor must also act respectfully to all students and persons in order to be respected and therefore not misusing taekwondo. ^[9]

I shall never misuse taekwondo.

One will never misuse taekwondo to harm other, for their own personal gain or for any other manner that is unjust. ^{[8] [9][10]}

I shall be a champion for freedom and justice.

The 4th line, “I shall be a champion of freedom and justice” can apply to may areas of life and although many may think one would have to do something amazing to achieve this, this part of the oath can be respected by even the littlest things in ones daily activity. If one becomes more open-minded to understanding others ideologies or the way others go about their lives instead of being quick to judge, then maybe the world would be a more understanding and accepting place. Thus allowing people to have the freedom they deserve. By accepting this belief one is bringing justice to this world and therefore being a champion of justice. ^[9][10][8]

I shall build a more peaceful world.

The final line of the oath is "I shall build a more peaceful world". One can also easily obtain this goal by going about their daily lives in a more peaceful manner. If everyone did this, the world would obviously become a more peaceful place.^[10]However, this does not mean a student cannot defend themselves against aggression directed towards themselves as that would defeat some of the purpose of taekwondo, an art of unarmed self-defence. That does not mean though however a student can provoke aggression towards another individual, as that would breaking the oath. ^{[10] [8]}

[edit] Taekwondo tenets

There are five tenets defined in the ITF.^[8]

Courtesy (Ye Ui / 예의)

Showing courtesy to all, respecting others, having manners as well as maintaining the appropriate etiquette at all times, both within and outside the dojang (도장) (designated training area). ^[9]

Integrity (Yeom Chi / 염치) Although may be similar, this form of integrity takes on a more wider role then defined in the common dictionary. In taekwondo, integrity means not only to determine what is right or wrong but also having the conscience to feel guilt if one has done wrong and to have the integrity stand up for what is right. ^[8]

Perseverance (In Nae / 인내) One will persevere time and time again until they have achieved a result which is adequate towards what one was trying to achieve. ^[8]

Self-control (Guk Gi / 극기) This means to not only have control over one physical acts but also their mental thoughts and actions. ^[8]

Indomitable spirit (Baekjeol Bulkul / 백절불굴) To have indomitable spirit means to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in ^[8], no matter what odds you are up against to always give 100% effort in whatever you do.

[edit] See also

• Korean martial arts
• Taekwondo
• World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• International Taekwon-Do Federation
• Cornwall TaeKwonDo, established 1974