Monday, August 21, 2006

Taekwondo

Following many years of diligence and hard work on the part
of the World Taekwondo Federation under the direction of Dr. Un
Yong Kim, taekwondo has finally gained recognition as a fullmedal
Olympic sport. This is a major accomplishment considering
the high standards set by the International Olympic Committee.
As a native Korean, I am particularly proud of this achievement
since it characterizes the true nature of the taekwondo spirit.
However, it is important to recall that first and foremost taekwondo
is a uniquely Korean martial art, as well as a world sport, with
roots that date back to antiquity. It is rich in tradition and espouses
a philosophy that if approached with sincerity has the potential
of enriching the practitioner’s life in a variety of ways.