About Taekwondo
What is Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is the name of a martial art turned modern international sport which has been independently developed in Korea over 20 centuries. Taekwondo is a free-fighting combat sport using bare hands and feet to repel an opponent. Although a simple statement, Taekwondo is much more complex.
WT Taekwondo is not only a martial art but a modern international sport and after being a demonstration sport in the 1988 Olympics became a full Olympic sport in the Sydney Australia Olympics in 2000.
It is estimated that over 70 million people in over 210 countries practice the WT (World Taekwondo) style of Taekwondo making it not only one of the largest martial arts in the world but one of the largest sports as well. The Grande Prairie Taekwondo attends several tournaments through the year.
Grande Prairie Taekwondo School
Instruction in the WT (World Taekwondo) style of Taekwondo (there are three styles) In Grande Prairie began in November of 1973. The instructor went to Korea in the hopes of enticing a Master to relocate to Canada and in March of 1975 Master Kwang Soo Kim relocated to Grande Prairie where he would be part of the school until his death in 2009. Students compete provincially, nationally as well as internationally.
Master Peterman (6) joined the school in December of 1983 having previously practiced the ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) style in 1975. He is a 6th degree black belt, a nationally certified instructor and an international referee.
Master Lawrence (5) - Master Instructor Lawrence is currently on sabatical.
Master Van Tassel (4) - teaches part time while attending college/university.
Instructor Lucas (2) - is currently attending university.
In the 50 years of operation, the school has produced the following number of black belts:
- 1st degree - 160
- 2nd degree - 34
- 3rd degree - 12
- 4th degree - 5
- 5th degree - 6
- 6th degree - 1
- 7th degree - 1
What will I learn in Taekwondo?
IT'S MORE THAN JUST A SPORT - All phases of training will improve muscular strength, endurance, coordination and flexibility. Taekwondo students/athletes are self-confident not only in the physical aspects of the martial art but also in their mental discipline because they have developed superior techniques for personal defense by using their entire body and mind for self-defense.
Through this, Taekwondo aims to achieve, through its TENETS: COURTESY, INTEGRITY, PERSEVERANCE, SELF-CONTROL, and INDOMITABLE SPIRIT
Grande Prairie Taekwondo School MISSION STATEMENT:
- We are a martial arts school where the genuine care and growth of our students is our highest mission.
- Our goal is to provide the finest training, personal development skills and community-oriented services to our student body.
- Martial arts study should invigorate the student's aspirations, strengthen their commitment, instill well-being and fulfill even their unexpressed wishes and desires.
