While the history of Tae Kwon Do is lengthy, rooted deep within Korean history, the evolution and popularity of the sport is relatively recent. Only since the mid-1900s has Tae Kwon Do experienced a real revitalization, beginning in 1955 when it was officially recognized due to a movement by Korean General Hong Hi Choi to unify various forms of Korean martial arts.

In the years since then, Tae Kwon Do has become one of the most popular martial arts, particularly in the United States. While it is a combat sport, there is a strong core of philosophy, self-defense, and physical and mental fitness that continues to make it attractive to students of all ages and backgrounds.

As a disciplined, competitive sport, Tae Kwon Do strikes a balance between competition and personal fulfillment. That means that tournaments and testing are critical for a student's advancement! In order to achieve higher rankings, students must not only demonstrate knowledge of the philosophy behind Tae Kwon Do and the ability to learn basic Korean terms; they also must be able to show their skills in combat and tournaments.

Remember, at the competition, only participate in the events that you feel ready for! You should be able to talk with your instructor and together decide what events you want to compete in. At the earliest level, tournaments are often local and may be made up of students from the local dojo or surrounding areas. But at higher levels of competition, there can be a lot of travel involved! Official American Tae Kwon Do Association tournaments are scheduled years in advance, and each one is an opportunity for students to achieve.

In order to participate in an official tournament, ATA membership must be current; and participants must be a member of and training on a regular basis with an ATA-licensed school or club and have their instructor's permission to compete.