Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. The name may be loosely translated as "the way of the hand and the foot." It combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, and in some cases meditation and philosophy. In 1989, taekwondo was the world's most popular martial art in terms of number of practitioners. Gyeorugi, a type of sparring, has been an Olympic event since 2000.
Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks. Some taekwondo instructors also incorporate the use of pressure points, known as jiapsul, as well as grabbing self-defense techniques borrowed from other martial arts, such as hapkido and judo. Physically, taekwondo develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina. An example of the union of mental and physical discipline is the breaking of wooden boards, bricks, or tiles, which requires both physical mastery of the technique and the concentration to focus one's power.
Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on kicking techniques, which distinguishes it from martial arts such as karate. The rationale is that the leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has; kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes without successful retaliation.
Taekwondo practitioners in Dead or Alive
Playable characters
- Honoka (part of her Honoka Fu)
- Rig
- Sarah Bryant (part of her mixed martial arts)
Gallery
| Dead or Alive 5 |
|---|
| Dead or Alive 5 Last Round |
|---|
 Rig vs. Jann Lee |
| Dead or Alive 6 |
|---|
External links
| v · e · d Martial arts
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grappling | Close quarters combat • Combat Sambo • Counter Fiend Combat • Lucha libre • Professional wrestling | ||
| Striking | Baji quan • Ii Style Leg Strikes • Karate • Mizong yi • Muay Thai • Ninjutsu • Pencak Silat • Pigua quan • Taekwondo | ||
| Internal | Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu • She quan • Taiji quan • Xingyi quan • Xinyi liuhe quan • Zui quan | ||
| Full contact / Combat sports | Mixed martial arts | ||
| Self-defense / Combatives | Aikido •Systema • Tengu-do | ||
| Eclectic / Hybrids | Anti-K’ Arts • Honoka Fu • Jeet Kune Do • Street Fighting | ||