Chapter 28: Taekwondo Today

Taekwondo must be careful least it fall to the same fate as Judo. As with Taekwondo today, Judo was once, during the 1950’s and 1960’s, the most popular martial art in the world. After it became an Olympic sport in the 1960's, Judo training became more and more concentrated on sporting competition. Due to the emphasis on sport competition, Judo lost its popularity as a martial art, and today it is difficult to find a Judo dojo, even in a major city. When victory in a sporting contest becomes the major criterion for excellence in a martial art, then only the young, strong, and gifted will be able to excel in that art, and they will often leave the art when they pass their peak of competitive prowess.

 "The Japanese have devoted themselves to the study of Judo for competition. hey have gone to extraordinary lengths to develop winning contestants and fine  champions. I, on the other hand, have never trained for competition in my life. All I have ever done is trained in judo as a way of life, exactly as Dr. Kano taught. While the Japanese were devising competitive strategies, I was in the dojo practicing basics and kata. I defeated the Japanese because I know judo better than the Japanese. The secret is to train every day in the basics. This will make you unbeatable.”  Anton Gessink-World Judo Champion.

Taekwondo has a had long history and, due to its international popularity, it is certain to have an equally long future. So, remember Taekwondo's past, practice the basics and spread Taekwondo now, and plan for Taekwondo's future.

THE END FOR NOW