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ITF Taekwondo - Combat Sport
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ITF Taekwondo

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description ITF Taekwondo Overview

Founded by Choi Hong Hi in 1966, International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and combat sport. It is distinguished by its sine wave technique, which involves a continuous up-and-down motion of the practitioner's center of mass to generate power. Unlike Olympic-style Taekwondo, the ITF ruleset permits direct punches to the facial area during sparring. It is practiced by martial artists worldwide for self-defense, physical fitness, and competition.

help ITF Taekwondo FAQ

When was the International Taekwondo Federation founded?

General Choi Hong Hi founded the International Taekwondo Federation in Seoul on March 22, 1966. The founding group included associations from nine countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States.

What is sine-wave motion in ITF Taekwondo?

Sine-wave technique is the characteristic rise-and-fall motion used to coordinate relaxation, acceleration, and power in ITF movements. It changes the practitioner's center of mass during techniques rather than keeping the body at one constant height.

How many patterns are in the traditional ITF syllabus?

The ITF curriculum is organized around 24 patterns, also called tul. The number is traditionally explained as symbolizing the 24 hours of a day.

How is ITF Taekwondo different from Olympic-style WT Taekwondo?

ITF Taekwondo emphasizes traditional patterns, hand techniques, sine-wave movement, and its own sparring rules. World Taekwondo, the Olympic governing body, uses a separate competition system with electronic scoring and a strong emphasis on kicking to the trunk and head.

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