What aspect of Tae Kwon Do was originated in Korea that gave it a distinct identity from karate?

Answer 1

Anyone can learn Taekwondo. The things that make great taekwondo athletes are the same things that make great athletes in every sport. Koreans tend to dominate the sport internationally because the martial art originated there. More people study taekwondo in Korea, and so the great Korean athletes are more likely to choose taekwondo as their sport.

Answer 2

From a technical standpoint, utilizing kicking as a primary weapon is unique to Taekwondo. While other Martial Art systems use kicks within their curriculum, Taekwondo is unique in that it maintains a balance between striking with hands, throwing techniques, and grappling skills while placing the strikes with the feet as the predominant weapon. Taekwondo does not remove the other aspects, and make kicking the only weapon, nor is it an unbalanced mixture.

Taekwondo is also unique in its approach to utilizing stabilizing methods in stance, and posture as well as the internal muscle contractions that generate power differently than other striking systems.

Since authentic Taekwondo is a complete Martial Art education, the inclusion of Korean culture, language, and philosophy is essential for a thorough understanding of the Korean Martial Art, and for the purpose of character development, instilling moral and ethical virtues.

Answer 3

Other than Korean language, culture, and history, which are all intrinsic aspects of Taekwondo, one major component is the fact that the kicking techniques were placed at the forefront as the primary weapon of self defense. In Karate, any kicks are utilized as a supplement to the upper body techniques. With Taekwondo, the kicks are utilized as the main weapon with the hands and other skills working to facilitate the strategy of destroying the target with a powerful kick. This creates an entirely different tactic and strategy during a self defense situation.

Answer 4

No, because punches and kicks are the Martial Arts common denominator. But taekwondo is one of most practiced martial arts, they are attracting kids and it is the largest martial art community to the world in terms of its population or attendance. Taekwondo has much in common with karate and until a decade or so ago used the kata or forms of Shorinryu karate, and some schools still do.

Answer 5

Taekwondo originated in Korea, so it has a longer history.