American Language Center, Rabat – Student Voices

By: Oussama Lamaankache

Taekwondo refers to a great traditional Korean martial art. It’s very popular among people of both sexes and different ages. In 1989, Taekwondo was the world’s most popular art in terms of number of practitioners. TaeKwondo is a word which contains three words. “Tae” means to kick or break with the foot, “Kwon” means to break or kick with the hand and “Do” is the way to behave. So, if you want to be a good player or a champion in Taekwondo (TKD), you have to be professional in using your legs (Tae), your hands (Kwon), and you have to know how and when to use them by using your mind (Do). If you don’t, it is going to be impossible for you to be a champion.

It’s best known for the use of feet and hands to attack or to defend, but, Taekwondo fighters usually use kicks. Some of them don’t use hands at all because the leg is the most powerful and longest part of the body which the fighter can use as a weapon. Therefore, a professional fighter who kicks well can hurt his opponent without hurting himself. That is one of the most important ways in which Taekwondo is different from the other martial arts, such as karate.

I – The History Of Taekwondo In Korea

The story of how Taekwondo appeared or began in the world is very long. But, here is a brief summary about the matter.
Taekwondo began around 2000 BC, when man had no power over danger. Taekwondo was, at that time, just a dance called “Subak.” After, men started to use “ Subak ” to overcome hard obstacles such as killing dangerous animals. In 1400 BC, this sport started to be popular among the Korean country. It was based on the mental and physical power of training, and it was called “Taekyyon.” Eventually, Taekyyon became the national game of South Korea, an element of school and the exams of soldiers and became known as “TAEKWONDO”.

II – The History of Taekwondo in Morocco

Taekwondo first appeared in Morocco by accident. It began in 1971 when two Koreans, Mohammed Khan and El Bachir Young, came to Fes in order to study Arabic and Islam. In their free time, Mohammed Khan and Bachir Young were practicing Taekwondo. It was a kind of habit for them. Fortunately, their Moroccan classmates were there, and they loved what Khan and Young were doing. So, the classmates asked Khan and Young to teach them Taekwondo. The two Koreans were so kind and did so. Four years later, in 1975 , at Ibn Yassine Hall in Rabat, the first tournament of Taekwondo in Morocco began with a few participants . The tournament was incredible and successful. Thus, in 1981, the Royal Moroccan League of Taekwondo was founded. Its first President was Mohammed El Madyouri, who was the bodyguard of the King of Morocco, Hassan II.

Mohammed Khan--The FatherofTaekwondo in Morocco

Mastering the Poomsae requires lots of practice

III – The Poomsae

The Poomsae is a combination of basic actions and movements exercised with or against an imaginary opponent. It’s the main thing in the test of passing the grade. The one who practices Poomsae correctly can become accurate in both offensive and defensive techniques. But, to do so is not easy because there are many skills to learn for the Poomsae. For instance, breathing control is very important. Therefore, students of Taekwondo can’t become skilled or good at practicing the Poomsae in a short period of time.

IV – The Fight

There are many common things between Taekwondo, Karate, Kung Fu and the other martial arts. But, the fight is not one of those common points. The fight is so important because it’s an Olympic game, and ¾ of players of Taekwondo around the whole world focus on the fight more than the Poomsae or the display. Even so, combat is not easy.
As with the Poomsae, the combat has its own rules. Firstly, the fighter has to find a coach to guide him during the fight. Usually, that coach is the master of the fighter. Secondly, the fighter has to wear his tobok (clothes of Taekwondo), belt, and safety equipment. Moreover, punches are allowed only in the chest. Kicks are allowed in the stomach, chest, back, head and the face. Thirdly, it’s forbidden to punch or kick under the belt, and biting is illegal. Finally, if a fighter attacks his opponent while he is falling down, the fighter will be disqualified.

The Fight

V– The Display

If you are angry or tired of working or of studying, and you want to relax by watching some videos, you can watch a Taekwondo show. To do so, you can just put the phrase “Taekwondo show” or “Taekwondo demonstration” inside the search box of Youtube and you will find a huge number of incredible shows. Taekwondo’s shows are usually done by a group of four people or more. Those people should have a Black belt, and should be professional in acting and in practicing all the Taekwondo skills (flexibility, self-defense, etc.).
Nevertheless, the display has many basic rules which make the show better and better. Here are some of them:

-All the group members should wear toboks and belts.
-All the players should scream (Kyape)* at the same time.
-The players should act as fast as they can.
-It’s forbidden to do any sexual movements on the show.
-Kisses, hugs or winks are illegal.
•*Kyape is the Korean word for “scream”. It’s important to scream while exercising or training because, according to the grand masters, screams help the body to get rid of disease (if there is one).

Two young people practicing Taekwondo

VI – THE BENEFITS OF TAEKWONDO

Taekwondo has many advantages for those who practice it, and here are some of them :
- Taekwondo helps in the business life of a player. For instance, if the player doesn’t succeed in his studies, or he doesn’t find a job, he can be a master after passing the Black belt’s exam, and earn some money. But, this doesn’t mean that the masters are unsuccessful in their education or work . In fact, some masters have their doctorate degree. Some others are teachers in primary or high school.
- Taekwondo students become strong, physically and mentally, by practicing a lot. Moreover, they can protect themselves from danger at any time, and they can hurt robbers or bad people without hurting themselves.
- Taekwondo helps people to control their nerves , and to change bad habits such as laziness.
Also, Taekwondo instructors always order their students to never say or think that they are too old to be good at Taekwondo . This, for me, is important because mental power is the most important thing that makes a student good at Taekwondo. That mental power is not difficult for elders to achieve.

To conclude, by reading this essay, you can see that Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that contains many skills. However, Taekwondo also helps its students in their business life and in overcoming problems that they have by using their mental and physical power. So, I invite you, the reader, to try Taekwondo courses at a gym. And, remember, whatever your age, Taekwondo will change your life for the better. Even if you just have some free time and want to change your routine, watch some displays of Taekwondo, it’s going to be an enjoyable thing to do.

The author practicing Taekwondo

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING!