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 Kukkiwon style (WT-World Taekwondo) 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 Kukkiwon 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. The school has been managed by Head Master Peterman for over 40 years. Students compete provincially, nationally as well as internationally.
Although competition is a big part of Taekwondo, the Grande Prairie Taekwondo School practices traditional Taekwondo teaching students to overcome themself and becoming one with body and mind through the thousands of repeated Taekwondo skills along with the proper attitude and mental discipline.
Taekwondo literally means the 'way of the hand and foot' and in the practical sense Taekwondo training involves using one's hands and feet without weapons to learn defensive and offensive techniques. when a traditional Taekwondo practitioner enters the dojang (school) they wear a dobok (uniform) and thee (belt) and practice barefoot. The traditional Taekwondo training hall is called a dojang and the wwalls are hung with the flag of the country to which it belongs (Canada) and the flag of the country where Taekwondo was born (Korea).
Master Peterman - HEAD MASTER (6th degree) 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 a former international referee.
Master Lawrence (5th degree) - Master Instructor Lawrence is currently on sabatical.
Master Van Tassel (4th degree) - teaches part time while attending college/university.
Master Farquhar (4th degree) - teaches part time while attending college/university.
Instructor Lucas (3rd degree) - is currently attending university.
Instructor Hausold & Farquhar - (3rd degree) - competitors, coaches and instructors - they assist in molding students to be "the best they can be".
In the 50 years of operation (1973-2023) , 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.
Lil' Dragons - these classes for our youngest students (2-6 years old) uses many game oriented learning methods o start the process in molding these youngest students into being all they can. They start learning what behaviours are acceptable and which ones are not. They start to take on responsibilities both at the school and at home.
Competition - Taekwondo offers competition in many areas. Sparring is the best known - Olympic Taekwondo is very exciting but recreation competition is also available. Forms (a series of blocks, kicks and punches is also available from local to international world level. Individual, pairs and free style competition allows a variety for the practitioner. Other competition comes in the form of breaking (power, aerial, speed and multiple) and some of the high level/world level demonstrations include spectacular feats.
Adults - from teenagers to seniors - there is so much to learn and too numerous to list. The basic elements of Taekwondo include: sparring, forms, self-defense, breaking and character. Getting fit to remaining fit and healthy is of course a life long endevour. Taekwondo training works on strengthening the body and keeping it limber and flexible and this in turn helps us to be self confident as well as mentally & spiritually attuned. For many it becomes and remains a life long practice that makes life worth living.
Senior Taekwondo - the emphasis moves towards being fit and flexible. Other elements of Taekwondo are introduced to fight the effects of aging an mental deterioration. The practice of forms and weaponry assist in the process of physical, mental and spiritual health.
