Modern Taekwon-Do differs greatly from other martial arts. In fact, no other artial art is so advanced with regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of its technique or the over-all physical fitness it imparts to its practitioners. echnically, 1955 signaled the beginning of Taekwon-Do as a formally recognized art in Korea.During that year, a special board was formed which included leading master instructors, historians, and prominent leaders of society.

A number of names for the new martial art were submitted. On the 11th of April, the board summoned by Gen. Choi Hong Hi, decided on the name of Taekwon-Do which had been submitted by him. This single unified name of Taekwon-Do replaced the different and confusing terms; Dang Soo, Gong Soo, Taek Kyon, Kwon Bup, etc.

In 1959, Taekwon-Do spread beyond its national boundaries. The father of Taekwon-Do and nineteen of his top black belt holders toured the Far East. The tour was a major success, astounding all spectators with the excellence of the Taekwon-Do techniques. Many of these black belt holders such as Nam Tae Hi, President of the Asia Taekwon-Do Federation;

Colonel Ko Jae Chun, the 5th Chief of Taekwon-Do instructors in Vietnam;

Colonel Baek Joon Gi, the 2nd Chief instructor in Vietnam; Brigadier

Gen. Woo Jong Lim; Mr. Han Cha Kyo, the Head Instructor in Singapore

and Mr. Cha Soo Young, presently an international instructor in Washington

D.C. eventually went on to spread the art to the world.

In this year, Choi was elevated to two illustrious posts; President of his newly formed Korea Taekwon-Do Association and deputy commander of the 2nd Army in Tae Gu. In 1965 Ambassador Choi, retired two star general, was appointed by the Government of the Republic of Korea to lead a goodwill mission to West Germany, Italy, Turkey, United-Arab Republic, Malaysia, and Singapore. This trip is significant in that the Ambassador, for the first time in Korean history, declared Taekwon-Do as the national martial art of Korea.

This was the basis not only for establishing Taekwon-Do Associations in these countries but also the formation of the International Taekwon-Do Federation as it is known today. In 1966, the dream of the sickly young student of calligraphy, who rose to Ambassador and the Association President of the most respected martial art in the world came true. On the 22nd of March, the International Taekwon-Do Federation was formed with associations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, the United States, Turkey, Italy, Arab Republic of Egypt and Korea.

Senior Championships

1.1st World Senior TKD Championships in Montreal, Canada on 4 and 5 October 1974 under the participation of 450 competitors from 27 countries.

2.2nd WTC in Oklahoma, United States in Sep. 1978 under the participation of 350 competitors from 21 countries.

3.3rd WTC in Argentina in Aug. 1981 under the participation of 219 competitors from 13 countries.

4.4th WTC in Glasgow, Scotland on 20 to 23 April 1984 under the participation of 396 competitors from 23 countries.

5.5th WTC in Athens, Greece on 22 to 24 May 1987 under the participation of 396 competitors from 26 countries.

6.6th WTC in Budapest, Hungary on 8 to 10 April 1988 under the participation of 650 competitors from 46 countries.

7.7th WTC in Montreal, Canada on 18 to 21 August 1990 under the participation of 520 competitors from 51 countries.

8.8th WTC in Pyongyang, DPR Korea on 10 to 15 September 1992 under the participation of 644 competitors from 67 countries.

9.9th WTC in Terrenganu, Malaysia in Sep. 1994 under the participation of 800 competitors from 72 countries.

10.10th WTC in St. Petersburg, Russia on 3 to 6 July 1997 under the participation of 1200 competitors from 70 countries.

11.11th WTC in Buenos Aires, Argentina from August 28 to September 5, 1999 under the participation of 800 competitors from 76 countries.

12.12th WTC in Rimini, Italy on 3 to 8 July 2001 under the participation of 700 competitors from 64 countries.

13.13th WTC in Thessaloniki, Greece on 11 to 15 June 2003 under the participation of 850 competitors from 75 countries.

14.14th WTC in Caloundra City in Queensland, Australia on 9 to 14 Jul. 2005 under the participation of 450 competitors from 50 countries.
Junior and Veteran Championships

1.1st Junior World Championships in Moscow, Russia in July 1993.

2.2nd Junior World Championships in Warsaw, Poland in June 1995 under the participation of 300 competitors from 41 countries.

3.3rd Junior World Championships in Prague, Czech under the participation of 400 competitors from 34 countires.

4.4th Junior World Championships in Delhi, India from 10th to 12th Oct. 1998 under the participation of 21 countries.

5.5th Junior World Championships in Pyongyang, DPR Korea under the participation of 354 competitors from 34 countries.

6.6th Junior & 1st Veteran World Championships in Genting Highlands, Malaysia from 25th to 30th Jul.2004 under the participation of over 650 competitors. Umpires and Officials from 49 countries.

7.7th Junior & 2nd Veteran World Championships to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria in July 2006.
Congress

1.1st ITF Congress – Mar. 22 1966

2.2nd – Oct. 1974 in Montreal, Canada

3.3rd – 1978 in Oklahoma, USA

4.4th – 1981 in Argentina

5.5th – Apr. 1984 in England, UK

6.6th – May 1987 in Greece

7.7th – Apr. 1988 in Hungary

8.8th – Aug. 1990 in Montreal, Canada

9.9th – Sep. 1992 in Pyongyang, DPR Korea

10.10th – Sep. 1994 in Malaysia

11.11th – Jul. 1997 in St. Petersburg, Russia

12.12th – Sep. 1999 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

13.13th – Jul. 2001 in Rimini, Italy

14.14th – Jun. 12, 2003 in Thessaloniki, Greece

15.15th – Jul. 12, 2005 in Caloundra City in Queensland, Australia with 150 Representatives from 57 countries.
Special Congress

1.Jan. 12 2002 in Vienna, Austria

2.Sep. 22 2002 in Pyongyang, DPR Korea with 90 Representatives from 46 countries.

3.Jul. 26, 2004 in Malaysia with 119 Representatives from 54 countries.