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Link to original content: http://web.archive.org/web/20180523142502/https://www.olympic.org/taekwondo
Taekwondo - Summer Olympic Sport
The Wayback Machine - http://web.archive.org/web/20180523122345/https://www.olympic.org/taekwondo
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Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art practised in 206 countries.

What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art, which means "the way of kicking and punching". In taekwondo, hands and feet can be used to overcome an opponent, but the trademark of the sport is its combination of kick movements.

A Long History

The origin of taekwondo dates back to Korea's Three-Kingdom era (c.50 BC) when Silla Dynasty warriors, the Hwarang, began to develop a martial art - Taekkyon ("foot-hand").

Go Global

During the early 20th century, taekwondo became the dominant form of martial arts practised in Korea. Subsequently taekwondo was designated as the Korean national martial art to be promoted internationally. In 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was founded as the worldwide legitimate governing body of the sport, and the first World Championships were held in Seoul, Korea that year.

Recent Olympic history

Taekwondo is one of the two Asian martial arts included on the Olympic programme. Taekwondo made its debut as a demonstration Olympic sport at the 1988 Seoul Games, and became an official medal sport at the 2000 Sydney Games.

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Featured Stories

Beijing 2008

Gwladys Epangue: ‘A unique moment of sharing’

Tokyo 2020

YOG star Jade Jones aiming to become taekwondo’s first triple Olympic champion

YOG

The YOG athletes’ best moments of Rio 2016

IOC News

IOC President in the Republic of Korea - attends World Taekwondo championships

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Gallery

Taekwondo - + 67kg Women
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Taekwondo - + 67kg Women

Shuyin Zheng of the People's Republic of China competes against Maria del Rosario Espinoza of Mexico during the Taekwondo Women +67kg Gold Medal Contest on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
RIO 2016 , Taekwondo , +67kg , Women , Mexico , ESPINOZA, Maria del Rosario , People's Republic of China
Getty Images
Taekwondo - + 80kg Men
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Taekwondo - + 80kg Men

Mahama Cho of Great Britain competes against Maicon Siqueira of Brazil during the Men's +80kg Bronze Medal contest on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
RIO 2016 , Taekwondo , +80kg , Men , Brazil , Great Britain
Getty Images
Taekwondo - + 67kg Women
Image Alt Text

Taekwondo - + 67kg Women

Shuyin Zheng (Red) of the People's Republic of China competes against Maria del Rosario Espinoza Espinoza of Mexico during the Taekwondo Women +67kg Gold Medal Contest on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
RIO 2016 , Taekwondo , +67kg , Women , Mexico , ESPINOZA, Maria del Rosario , People's Republic of China
Getty Images
Taekwondo - + 80kg Men
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Taekwondo - + 80kg Men

Abdoulrazak Issoufou Alfaga (Blue) of Niger competes against Radik Isaev of Azerbaijan during the Men's +80kg Gold Medal contest on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
RIO 2016 , Taekwondo , +80kg , Men , Niger , Azerbaijan
Getty Images
Taekwondo - + 80kg Men
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Taekwondo - + 80kg Men

Dongmin Cha of the Republic of Korea competes against Dmitriy Shokin of Uzbekistan during the Men's +80kg Bronze Medal contest on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
RIO 2016 , Taekwondo , +80kg , Men , Republic of Korea , CHA, Dongmin , Uzbekistan
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Taekwondo - + 67kg Women
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Taekwondo - + 67kg Women

Bianca Walkden of Great Britain competes against Wiam Dislam of Morocco during the Women's +67kg Bronze Medal contest on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
RIO 2016 , Taekwondo , +67kg , Women , Great Britain , Morocco
Getty Images
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