The International Taekwondo Federation

International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) is a Taekwondo organization founded on April 11, 1955, by General Choi Hong Hi (최홍희) in Seoul, South Korea.[1] The ITF exists to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of Taekwondo. Taekwondo (태권도; 跆拳道; Korean pronunciation: [tʰɛkwʌndo]) is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae (태, 跆) means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon (권, 拳) means "to strike or break with fist"; and do (도, 道) means "way", "method", or "path". Thus, taekwondo may be loosely translated as "the way of the hand and the foot." Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on kicking techniques, which distinguishes it from martial arts such as karate or southern styles of kung fu. The rationale is that the leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes without successful retaliation. Historically, the Koreans thought that the hands were too valuable to be used in combat. ITF [International Taekwon-Do Federation]

Formation April 11, 1955
Purpose/focus Martial art and sport
Location Pyeongyang, North Korea and Middlesex, United Kingdom

Region served International
President Chang Ung, Choi Jung Hwa, Pablo Trajtenberg

Remarks Is not recognized by South Korean Government

Since taekwondo is developed in several different kwans, there are several different expressions of taekwondo philosophy. For example, the tenets of the ITF are said to be summed up by the last two phrases in the ITF Student Oath: "I shall be a champion of justice and freedom" and "I shall build a better and peaceful world."
Although each taekwondo club or school will be different, a student typically takes part in most or all of the following:
• Learning the techniques and curriculum of taekwondo
• Both anaerobic and aerobic workout,