Colored Uniforms

[MichiganTKD]

Something I am curious about:
How many Tae Kwon Do students or Instructors out there wear non-white or colored uniforms and why?
I started out with the traditional white fold over, and then went to the black V-neck worn by WTF students. I know some TKD people wear black, red, blue, red-white-blue, white/black etc. I am curious as to the logic behind that.

[Spookey]

Dobok Colors!

Sir,

I much like yourself started with a overlapping dobok then switches to the "new style" (ITF) dobok!
However, I often practice outside as I enjoy the natural feeling and the uneven ground...on that note I have found that the blue and black dobok are easier to clean (well grass stains and the occasional blood blend in better). However, I always were my traditional white dobok in any and all formal training environments!
Uniformity lends creedance to the a good learning environment especially for beginners who need to worry with the basics not fasion and advancement!
Function over fasion for both doboks and technique!

TAEKWON!
Spookey

[MichiganTKD]

Colored uniforms

I know some of the Judo people are using blue uniforms now. I asked why this was, and was told that it pays tribute to the old days when warriors supposedly wore black or blue clothes so that blood or grass stains would not be as noticeable. I've always felt that the white uniform is the great equalizer-everyone looks the same in one. Furthermore, with a white uniform, if I get bloodstains or dirt or sweat in the fabric, so be it. I always considered bloodstains-dirt-sweat to be emblems of my training anyway.

[ipscshooter]

Something I am curious about:
How many Tae Kwon Do students or Instructors out there wear non-white or colored uniforms and why?
I started out with the traditional white fold over, and then went to the black V-neck worn by WTF students. I know some TKD people wear black, red, blue, red-white-blue, white/black etc. I am curious as to the logic behind that.

Our school teaches ITF style TKD, although it is not affiliated with the organization. Our master requires an all white uniform during class, until red belt. At that point the student may choose to wear either all white, or black pants/white top. Upon attaining black belt, students may choose all white, black pants/white top, or white pants/black top, or all black. Students may choose any color uniform to wear during tournaments.

[MichiganTKD]

Colored uniforms

Traditionally in Korea, white has been used as the color to represent purity. Tae Kyon uniforms are white, and it carried over to TKD. I think schools that have closer ties to Korea through the WTF-KTA-Kukkiwon have stayed with white uniforms because that has been the color traditionally used. The schools that are not as affiliated with Korea (ITF, independant schools etc.) have more freedom to wear what they want because there is no accepted color.
Our Instructor told us years ago that after black belt, color was your choice. However, I think none of the black belts wanted to be the first to break ranks and use their own color. Along with the fact that we are still close to the Chung Do Kwan in Korea and our Instructor is on the Board of the WTF, we never adopted off-white uniforms.
However, if I had to, I think sky blue is a nice color.

[Spookey]

ITF Doboks!

[QUOTE=The schools that are not as affiliated with Korea (ITF, independant schools etc.) have more freedom to wear what they want because there is no accepted color.


Sir,

The ITF has a specific uniform...it is a white, center closing dobok with the ITF insignia on the left breast! However, it is available in 5 other colors: white, white, white, white, and white. Then of course are those black belt doboks with the black trim!

Just for the record!

Spookey,
TAEKWON!

[MichiganTKD]

ITF uniforms

Yes, the uniforms worn by officially ITF-affiliated schools are as you mentioned. Wraparound white, with black trim for dan ranks. However, it is the schools that may not officially be affiliated with the ITF (but teach their forms) and the independent schools that take, shall we say, artistic license with uniforms. How else would you explain, say, Hee Il Cho's choice of uniforms.

[Spookey]

Doboks

Yes, the uniforms worn by officially ITF-affiliated schools are as you mentioned. Wraparound white, with black trim for dan ranks. However, it is the schools that may not officially be affiliated with the ITF (but teach their forms) and the independent schools that take, shall we say, artistic license with uniforms. How else would you explain, say, Hee Il Cho's choice of uniforms.

First, the official ITF dobok is not a wrap around...it meets in the center (not a slip over v-neck, but it meets in the middle...does not wrap around!)

Also, Grandmaster Cho (although an Oh Do Kwan Certified Instructor) offers two forms of certification. 1. AIMAA , 2.Kukkiwon (WTF)

[MichiganTKD]

Uniforms

I always referred to the traditional uniforms as wraparound. Yes, I know the two sides meet in the center, as opposed to implying that you're wrapping yourself in a dobok and the two sides fold on the right or left sides. Sorry about not being clear enough on that.
As for GM Cho offering certification in AIMAA and Kukkiwon, how is this possible? As far as I knew, his organization was ITF-affiliated, so certifying in both ITF and Kukkiwon(WTF) would appear to be a conflict of interest. Not to mention, ITF and Kukkiwon promote different ways of approaching technique, form. and sparring. To certify in both you would need to currently train both. And to currently train in both, knowing that they promote two different ways of executing technique, philosophy etc. would almost lead to a schizophrenic mindset. Similar to practicing Tae Kwon Do and Karate at the same time. Similar in appearance, but different enough so that your body is forced to adapt to separate ways to execute the same technique.
The Instructor who teaches at the College near my class bills himself as ITF and WTF affiliated. My opinion is: pick one and train that way.

[MichiganTKD]

Uniforms

Not to mention, the WTF-Kukkiwon doesn't authorize colored uniforms. So if he's teaching Kukkiwon technique and wearing a blue uniform (which he does because I've seen pictures of him), he can't be that close to the Kukkiwon.
I'm not saying his technique is not effective or he's not a good Instructor, but I think if he's not wearing the authorized Kukkiwon or ITF uniforms while claiming to be affiliated with either, he can't be that close to either.

[Spookey]

Aimaa

MTKD,

Next time you pick up a MA magazine look for any add regarding AIMAA registration! They plainly state that they offer international certificates from both AIMAA and Kukkiwon!
GM Cho offers training videos of the Ch'ang Hon Tuls, however in regards to his organization he only advertises rank certificates from his org and the Kukkiwon!
Furthermore, I have not seen him listed as a master or instructor by the ITF(s)!

TAEKWON!
Spookey

[ipscshooter]

MTKD,
GM Cho offers training videos of the Ch'ang Hon Tuls, however in regards to his organization he only advertises rank certificates from his org and the Kukkiwon!
Furthermore, I have not seen him listed as a master or instructor by the ITF(s)!

TAEKWON!
Spookey

He also has books illustrating both ITF and WTF katas. I have the ITF books at home. I'll check them to see whether he claims any affiliation to ITF.

[MichiganTKD]

ITF affiliation

On the ITF website there is a list of all recognized ITF Master Instructors by rank and country. Hee Il Cho's name is not on the list. Which leads me to believe that while he teaches ITF forms and claims ITF background, he is not officiallly connected with the ITF. It would appear that he is an independent Instructor who pretty much does what he wants.
And I have seen his books demonstrating WTF Black Belt Form. To be honest, i was not that impressed with the way he executed the forms. Not to say his technique isn't impressive, just the way he did WTF Poomse I didn't think was that good.

[Spookey]

Hee Il Cho

On the ITF website there is a list of all recognized ITF Master Instructors by rank and country. Hee Il Cho's name is not on the list. Which leads me to believe that while he teaches ITF forms and claims ITF background, he is not officiallly connected with the ITF. .

MTKD,

Master Cho does not claim affiliation to the ITF (by all verifiable sources)!
However, in regards to his ITF background...He was very verifiably an Oh Do Kwan instructor during the Gen. Choi days! Therefore he studied the Chang Hon Hyungs (20 at the time and no sinewave)...I am uncertain as to what relationship he may or may not have maintained with the ITF once arriving in the states!
You should be able to contact him via email at his federation website for further details!

TAEKWON!
Spookey

[MichiganTKD]

Hee Il Cho

I read several of GM Cho's books a while back, and he did state having practiced under Gen. Choi, thanking Gen.Choi was being such a powerful influence on him. What I am unclear on, however, is if he were such a loyal and devoted student of Gen. Choi, why would he feel the need or deire to issue Kukkiwon certificates to his students, knowing the Kukkiwon-WTF was a direct rival to Gen. Choi and the ITF?