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International Taekwon-Do Federation

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Vorlage:Koreanname The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) is the original of the two major Taekwondo organisations, the other being the World Taekwondo Federation or WTF. ITF was founded on March 22nd, 1966, by General Choi Hong Hi, who was central to the modern systemization of Taekwon-Do as well as being the Father of Taekwon-Do.

Nine countries were involved in its founding: Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, USA, Turkey, Italy, and Egypt. Taekwondo is now taught in almost every country in the world, and General Choi is recognized as the father of ITF Taekwondo. It is estimated that there are currently 40 million people in 140 countries practicing ITF Taekwondo.

ITF Taekwondo is dedicated to promoting and preserving Taekwondo in its original form, as a martial art and self defence, while the WTF is more focused on developing new techniques.

Early history

When General Choi died on the June 15 2002, there was a political split between the different masters within the International Taekwon-Do Federation.

In order to preserve the legacy of his father, Master Choi Jung Hwa, who had legitimately been elected to serve the final four years of a six year term granted to his father - General Choi Hong Hi - (at the ITF Congress in Rimini, Italy 2001), as President of the ITF devolved its administration to Canada. Master Choi Jung Hwa had warned the members of the ITF that the organisation was likely to be usurped by North Korea following the death of General Choi, the founder. Unfortunately not all believed the idea and as a result the ITF separated into two different groups.

In an arguably illegal congress in North Korea, some weeks later, Mr. Chang Ung, a North Korean government official and basketball coach was installed as president of the separatist group, confirming the warnings of the legitimately elected President. A further separation of the break away group occurred following an audit of the finances of the group that remained in Vienna. Senior masters were accused of misappropriating funds, and attempting to evade Austrian state taxes. As a result those accused were removed from the North Korean controlled group. A third group formed their own organisation now referred to as ITF Vienna, headed by Master Tran Trieu Quan. All three groups now adamantly claim to be the legitimate governing body. Thereafter, further splintering occurred and both Unified-ITF and the International Chang-Hon Federation were formed.


  • Note: There are arguments for the legitimacy of all five of the split ITF federations:
    • The ITF-C group claims legitimacy through its President having been elected at the 2001 Rimini Congress - the last unified congress prior to the passing of his father, General Choi Jung Hwa.
    • The ITF-V claims legitimacy through an Austrian court ruling in a single European state.
    • The ITF-NK claims legitimacy through supposed appointment by the late General Choi.
    • The Unified-ITF do not claim legitimacy, but want to Unify all ITF and all TaeKwon-Do through Grandmaster K.S. Hwang IX Degree, the first Korean Grandmaster of ITF (Certificate Number K-9-1).
    • The ICTF do not claim legitimacy, but are a separate ITF group with original pioneering masters and are of ITF origins.

The Austrian Court have since ruled that the Group under Master Tran Trieu Quan is the legal and democratically elected ITF in Vienna, over the North Korean Group. The group following President Choi Jung Hwa, is not represented in Vienna, and is currently in litigation with the Vienna Group in Canada. The trademarks and licencing rights to the ITF in Canada belong exclusively to President Choi Jung Hwa.

The rights to the ITF in other countries are believed to be owned by the former NGB's under the old unified regime. In the UK that is believed to be Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha, in the USA, Grand Master Charles Serif. GM Serif formally resigned from the ITF in 2003 and is no longer a member.

Triumphant Return to South Korea

As a result of President Choi's efforts to remove Taekwondo from the control of North Korea, in November 2004 the ITF held its World Championships for Juniors and Seniors in Taejon City, South Korea. This was the first time that ITF Taekwondo had been displayed in South Korea for over 40 years. President Choi's ITF is now represented in nine South Korean Provinces and is recognised by the South Korean Government as a world governing body for Taekwon-do. The ITF is believed to be represented in over 150 countries worldwide and has millions of followers.

Patterns

Patterns or forms (equivalent to the kata in karate) are considered by many to be one of the most important aspects of training in Taekwondo. The patterns practised by members of the ITF are very different from those performed by the WTF, forming one of the major differences between the two styles. The majority of the patterns (excepting Ul-Ji and Tong-Il) start with a defensive move, which emphasizes Taekwondo's defensive nature. The patterns all start and end at the same point. This ensures that the practioners' stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction. There are 24 patterns (틀) in the official ITF syllabus, all of which were developed by General Choi. The names of these patterns typically refer to a patriotic instance or person of Korean history. They are as follows (with Hangul/Hanja names), and with related articles:

Originally there was another pattern called Kodang but this has been replaced by Juche in the current official syllabus of the ITF.

Ranks

The ITF has a unique ranking system. It consists of five solid color belts (kups), five intermediate colour belts (indicated by a stripe around both hanging ends of the belt), and nine degrees of Black.

  • 10th kup (white)
  • 9th kup (white with yellow stripe)
  • 8th kup (yellow)
  • 7th kup (yellow with green stripe)
  • 6th kup (green)
  • 5th kup (green with blue stripe)
  • 4th kup (blue)
  • 3rd kup (blue with red stripe)
  • 2nd kup (red)
  • 1st kup (red with a black stripe)

The nine degrees (dans) of Black are organized into skill levels:

  • 1st-3rd dan (Novice) with the title of Assistant Instructor (Boo-sabum);
  • 4th-6th dan (Expert) with the title of Instructor (Sabum);
  • 7th-8th dan (Master) with the title of Master (Sahyun);
  • 9th dan (Grand Master) with the title of Grand Master (Saseong).

The reason for nine black belt degrees, according to General Choi, is that the number nine is not only the highest of the single-digit numbers, but also is the number of three multiplied by three. In the Orient, three is the most esteemed of all numbers. The Chinese character for 3 is three horizontal lines, one above the other. The bottom line represents earth; the middle line represents mortals; the upper line line represents heaven.

Each colour has a specific philosphical meaning. They are as follows:

  • White - signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do;
  • Yellow - signifies the earth, from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundation is laid;
  • Green - signifies the plant's growth, as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop;
  • Blue - signifies Heaven, towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progress;
  • Red - signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away;
  • Black - Opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkess and fear.

Up to 6th dan, all ranks require the student to perform a test of all skills and knowledge up to their rank to be promoted. Ranks above 6th dan may be awarded with consent of the president without a test; however, if the recipient desires, a test may be administered. 9th degree (being the highest) can only be awarded when the governing body examines and reaches a consensus. There are minimum times that practitioners must remain at a black belt degree before being promoted to the next grade: 1st degree: minimum 18 months as 1st degree before promotion to 2nd degree; 2nd degree: minimum 2 years; 3rd degree: minimum 3 years; 4th degree: minimum 4 years; and so on.

See also

  • Unified-ITF - Founder K.S. Hwang (9th Degree, Original ITF Grandmaster, K-9-1)
  • ITF-Canada - President Choi Jung Hwa (9th Degree, Grandmaster, son of the founder)
  • ITF-North Korea - President Chang Ung
  • ITF-Vienna President Trân Trîeu Quân (8th Degree, Master)
  • ICTF President Kong, Young IL (9th Degree, Grandmaster)
  • ITF TKD Power - UK Based ITF Organisation
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