50th Birthday of Taekwon-Do

While Choi Hong Hi was teaching his martial art to troops under his command as early as 1945, it was not until 1955 that the style gained its name. Then-General Choi convened a special board, including master instructors, historians, military leaders, and politicians, for the purpose of choosing a single name under which to unify what was being taught.

	General Choi Hong Hi, Founder of Taekwon-Do

It was eventually the General’s own proposal of “Tae Kwon Do” that was chosen to represent the art, by a unanimous decision of the board.

In his recent message, ITF President Master Trân Triêu Quân recounted an explanation the General had given him once as they travelled together in Europe. In the beginning, the General chose to write the name as three separate words to ensure the correct pronunciation of each syllable. However, in 1968, he used the now-familiar form “Taekwon-Do” in his book; this symbolises that the physical training (Tae and Kwon) must be balanced with the moral and spiritual aspects of the art (Do).

But despite changes in the arrangement of the syllables, the name “Taekwon-Do” has existed now for fifty years. Half a century. Longer than many of us have been alive. When the ITF was founded in 1966, there were nine member countries; now, the ITF has affiliated organisations in over a hundred.

New Zealand and ITFNZ’s own association with Taekwon-Do passes the 35 year milestone this year. From humble beginnings decades ago, we now boast two Master instructors of our own, and our national teams have placed third in the world at the most recent World Championships and Junior World Championships.

Master Trân’s message also contained a challenge. As the original pioneers from the 50s and 60s begin to retire, it is the turn of this current generation of practitioners to come to the fore. He exhorts us to “Lead Taekwon-Do to serve humanity”.

Here’s to another fifty years.

Important Dates in the History of the ITF

1955
April 11th – Taekwon-Do named

1966
March 22nd – ITF founded by General Choi Hong Hi, the Father of Taekwon-Do. Nine member countries were Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, the United States, Turkey, Italy, Arab Republic of Egypt, and Korea.

	General Choi directs for the photography in the first edition of the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do

1969
First Asian Tournament, Hong Kong

1972
ITF headquarters moved to Toronto (Canada)

1974
First World Championships, Montreal (Canada)

1976
First European Championships, Amsterdam (Netherlands)

1979
First Pacific Championships, Wellington (New Zealand)

1982
North American Federation created

1983
Central American Federation created

1985
ITF headquarters moved to Vienna (Austria)

2002
June 15th – death of General Choi Hong Hi; Mr Russell McClellan became Acting President

2003
June 13th – election of Master Trân Triêu Quân as President of the ITF at the 14th Congress of ITF, Warsaw (Poland)

Key Dates in ITFNZ History

1970
First of our member clubs established in Palmerston North by Mr Norman Ng.

1974
Newly established clubs in Wellington joined together with Palmerston North to form grading panels and demonstrations.

1975
New Zealand ITF clubs joined the Australian Taekwon-Do Academy (ITF).

26 May 1976
General Choi visited New Zealand to meet with the instructors.

9 January 1978
South Pacific Training Camp held at Massey University conducted by Master YK Yun.

22 January 1978
South Pacific Taekwon-Do Championships held in Wellington with General Choi Hong Hi in attendance.

20 August 1978
National tournament held in Auckland.

16 June 1979
First Regional tournament, organised by Central Districts.

5 January 1981
New Zealand members attended seminar and championships held in Brisbane, GeneralChoi Hong Hi in attendance. General Choi requested New Zealanders to return home and register their own national organisation with their Government.

28 March 1981
Formation meeting for ITFNZ held at Burma Lodge, Wellington and election of first executive committee. ITFNZ accepted as an incorporated Society and Mr David Lange became Patron of ITFNZ.

28 March 1981
First official ITFNZ National Championships held in Palmerston North.

10 October 1985
Hosted the Sharp International Tournament in Wellington, televised nationwide. Teams from USA and Japan in attendance plus Mr Chon Jin Shik. ITFNZ becomes Sister Organisation to USTF.

1988
Master Yun International Taekwon-Do Federation no longer with ITF. ITFNZ continue affiliation to MYITF.

1989
ITFNZ disassociate from MYITF to form independent organisation.

January 1990
ITFNZ participate in the opening ceremony of the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

January 1991
ITF Masters Visit in Auckland New Zealand – ITF Training course and Master Classes conducted by General Choi Hong Hi and Master CE Sereff.

January 1992
World Camp held at Massey University, Palmerston North.

October 1993
ITF Instructors' Course by General Choi Hong Hi and Master CE Sereff

1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001
Sent NZ team to ITF World Champs and Junior Champs in Malaysia, Russia, Argentina, North Korea, Italy – four bronze medals in total.

November 2002
Attended the ITF Junior World Champs in Puerto Rico winning three gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

June 2003
Attended the ITF World Champs in Poland winning three gold, one silver and three bronze medals, plus Male Grand Champion and third-ranked country.

July 2004
Attended the ITF Junior World Champs in Italy winning three gold, two silver and eight bronze medals, plus Best Female Team and third-ranked country.

August 2004
Evan Davidson and Paul McPhail grade to Master.