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Taekongdo Taekwondo is a form of martial arts originating from Korean General Choi Hong Hi. He was the south Korean army general and an icon to the World Taekwondo Federation (wTF). It teaches self defence from throwing to punching and specialises in kicking. It has a range of kicking styles which included basic kicks to kicks that require 540 degree turns. Taekwondo consists of 6 colour belts, 8 altogether, starting from white to yellow, green, blue, blue and red, brown, red and black. An exception is made for students grading up to a black belt if they are under 14. this exception means that they get a junior black belt. The colours of a belt can vary slightly depending on the academy for example, yellow can change to be orange, blue and red can change to be purple and a junior black belt can be red with white stripes or red and black. Taekwondo has ranks when you reach black belt starting at 1st dan and increasing to 10th dan depending on your standard. The higher the dan, the higher the standard. Once black belt is reached, you automatically start on 1st dan. 1st to 5th dan is classified as a master and 6th and above is classified as a grandmaster.

Taekwondo is a competitive international sport which involves sparring, pattern performance and breaking:
 * Sparring involves 2 competitors which fight in a 3 minute time limit which can be split into 2 or 3 equal rounds. The one which gains the most points wins and is ranked up to verse the next opponent that has won another match. This stacks up until there is inly 2 left and they fight until there is a winner and runner-up. Each competitor will wear protective gear, consisting of a compulsory chest guard, helmet, arm and shin pads, mouthguard and a groin guard. An optional glove or foot glove is allowed.
 * Pattern competition consists of performing the required pattern in front of a set of judges. the best performer of the pattern will receive the medal.
 * Breaking competition consists of breaking wooden boards or concrete tiles with any form of technique. The standard of breaking increases as more people are eliminated as they are not able to break it.

Taekwondo is now an international sport and is a very recognised martial art around the globe.

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