LEARNING TAEKWONDO
Walk into almost any Taekwondo club in New Zealand
and you will find an incredibly diverse group of people training
together, people with different backgrounds, ages and widely different
reasons for wanting to learn Taekwondo - some enjoy the competitive
element, some come for fitness or to learn self defense, and some
genuinely want to master it as an art. Some join because they see
their children enjoying it so much, and it’s not unusual to see whole
families training together at the same club.
One thing all students have in common is they are first taught basics (kibon).
Forms or patterns (poomsae),
are a solo exercise that allow the student to practice and perfect
their technique through repetition, until it becomes as natural as
walking. Some poomsae contain techniques which are considered too
unsafe to practice on others during sparring but form a good basis for
self defence. They also enable us to train coordination, balance,
timing, and breath control.
Sparring (kyorugi), comes in a number of different forms from prearranged through to the full contact competitive sport that you see at the Olympics.
Competition rules and protective equipment make this a relatively safe
sport. Kicking techniques are allowed to the front and sides of
the trunk and front of the head, punching techniques are only able to
be used on the front and sides of the trunk. There are no
techniques allowed to the legs and no throwing or grappling.
Beginners
will usually begin with no contact allowed, and gradually contact will
increase. Most clubs will allow people who are unable or
unwilling to engage in contact sparring to continue with non
contact.
|
Participants in Taekwondo tournaments fight under Olympic rules, and are divided by belt ranking (skill), weight, age and gender.
There
are a variety of levels of competition available, from local
tournaments through to the Olympics and Taekwondo World Championships.
TAEKWONDO HISTORY
For material on the historical development of Taekwondo look here;
WTF STRUCTURE
Taekwondo New Zealand is part of the World Taekwondo Federation. WTF or Kukki style Taekwondo technique is developed at the Kukkiwon,
which also administers WTF recognised Dan (black belt) grades.
Most local taekwondo organisations (such as TUNZ) have their own black
belt ranking system recognised by their style and clubs, as well as
being able to arrange Kukkiwon Dan grades should the student require an
international qualification.
The
WTF is the International Sports Federation recognised by the
International Olympic Committee. It organises competitions, and
provides a forum for the national bodies of each country.
Countries have a member national association (MNA), which is recognised
by
the Olympic committee for that country and by the WTF. TNZ
is the governing body for New
Zealand. For many events, such as Olympic selection, member
organisations are organised into regions and for New Zealand the
regional organisation is the Oceania Taekwondo Union. TNZ
Secretary General Matt Ransom also holds the position of Treasurer for
the Oceania Taekwondo Union. TNZ President Grandmaster Kim is a
Vice President of the Oceania Taekwondo Union, and an Executive Council
member of the WTF.
|
