About
Edinburgh University Taekwondo was founded in 2006, and since then became a full member club within two years and has been growing rapidly, with many new members both new to the sport and more experienced.
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art which focuses strongly on high-speed kicking techniques, blocking and hand techniques. The literal translation is “the way of the hand and the foot”. It has been an event at the Olympics since 2000, and is one of the most popular martial arts in the world.
Two styles of taekwondo are offered at our classes – World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), and International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) styles. The WTF style is the style seen in the Olympics, and puts more emphasis on the sport aspect of the martial art. It is characterised by fast kicking and full-contact sparring. The ITF style is a more traditional form of the martial art, and places emphasis on practical self-defence. ITF sparring is generally of a semi-contact nature. We recommend that you try both styles before deciding which is best suited to you.
Both styles offer training towards taking part in competitions and progression through the belts, as well as improving fitness, overall strength, flexibility, balance, focus and mental discipline.
The purpose of the Taekwondo Clubis to provide the opportunity to all Edinburgh University students to train and appreciate the various aspects that Taekwondo embodies, both as a martial art and as a world-renowned sport.