Taekwondo is one of the most popular martial arts worldwide. The art has a unique and interesting history. In this blog post we focus on World Taekwondo (WT), the international governing body of Taekwondo.
The Korean martial art of Taekwondo has seen a significant rise in popularity on a global scale over the years. It has become an Olympic sport and is practiced by millions of people worldwide. The sport’s emphasis on discipline, self-defense, and competition has contributed to its widespread appeal and growth in international recognition.
Efforts by organizations like the World Taekwondo Federation (now known as World Taekwondo) have played a crucial role in promoting and expanding the sport. For more in-depth information on this history check out our previous blog post on the topic.
World Taekwondo (WT) is the international governing body for the sport of Taekwondo. Here’s a brief history of WT:
- Foundation: World Taekwondo was founded on May 28, 1973 in Seoul, South Korea as the “World Taekwondo Federation” (WTF). The organization was established to promote and regulate Taekwondo worldwide and to oversee international competitions.
- Olympic Recognition: One of the significant milestones for WT was when Taekwondo was included as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It gained full Olympic status in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This move greatly elevated the sport’s global visibility and popularity.
- Name Change: In 2017, to reduce potential confusion with the abbreviation “WTF” (which had colloquial meanings), the organization officially changed its name from “World Taekwondo Federation” to “World Taekwondo”.
- Promoting Taekwondo Worldwide: WT has been instrumental in promoting Taekwondo as a sport and martial art around the world. It has set standardized rules and regulations for competitions, organized international events, and established training programs for athletes, coaches, and referees.
- Global Expansion: WT has actively worked to expand the reach of Taekwondo, and it has been successful in spreading the sport to many countries. Many Taekwondo federations from around the world are affiliated with WT.
- Humanitarian Initiatives: WT has also been involved in various humanitarian initiatives, such as the “Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation”, which aims to empower refugees and displaced persons through the practice of Taekwondo.
- Poomsae and Para-Taekwondo: WT focuses on promoting Olympic-style sparring, Poomsae (a set sequence of movements), and Para-Taekwondo, which is tailored for athletes with disabilities.
World Taekwondo continues to play a pivotal role in the development and promotion of Taekwondo globally. Its efforts have contributed to the sport’s rise in popularity and recognition on the international stage.
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