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Maxx · 11-20-2004, 08:04 PM

I don't really think you can suggest that one version of TKD is more valid or more "true" than another. Both systems (meaning ITF and WTF) have their respective strengths and weaknesses. I've seen both ITF fighters and WTF fighters in actual self defense situations. Sometimes they won and sometimes they lost.

I will say this. Yes, General Choi invented the name of Taekwon-Do and several Korean systems of martial arts decided to unify under that name. General Choi even developed a system that is wholly different from other Korean martial arts. Many of these other arts, however, had been in existance for quite some time when this occurred though.

Technically I guess you could argue that only the system that General Choi had developed should be called TKD, but in 1955 when those separate Korean systems unified I tend to think he was quite happy about that. Now, TKD is more of a generic term, like Karate, each system utilizing slightly different concepts, theories and techniques. At the end of the day I really don't think the name matters all that much if what the system teaches is valid.

11-20-2004, 08:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Maxx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 287 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	True TKD I don't really think you can suggest that one version of TKD is more valid or more "true" than another. Both systems (meaning ITF and WTF) have their respective strengths and weaknesses. I've seen both ITF fighters and WTF fighters in actual self defense situations. Sometimes they won and sometimes they lost. I will say this. Yes, General Choi invented the name of Taekwon-Do and several Korean systems of martial arts decided to unify under that name. General Choi even developed a system that is wholly different from other Korean martial arts. Many of these other arts, however, had been in existance for quite some time when this occurred though. Technically I guess you could argue that only the system that General Choi had developed should be called TKD, but in 1955 when those separate Korean systems unified I tend to think he was quite happy about that. Now, TKD is more of a generic term, like Karate, each system utilizing slightly different concepts, theories and techniques. At the end of the day I really don't think the name matters all that much if what the system teaches is valid.