Anyone here ever heard of USTW?

[takeshitoyama]

I was curious as to which members here have ever heard or are members of the USTW (United States TaeKwonDo Won). Most of the officers are former USTU members, which I do not know if it is a good or bad thing. I was mainly curious because I recently joined the organization and have been invited to attend and compete in their national championships.

[Spookey]

TKD Won!

Dear Sir or Ma'am,

From all I have heard the USTW is a splinter cell from the USTU. They are the "WTF Traditionalists"...or something like that.

They seem to be picking up a following rather quickly in the US and would not be suprised to find them forming and international body (if this has not taken place already)! Traditional martial arts are on the comeback as the current trends of sport (Olympic and MMA) are down to the die hards since the novelty has worn off. As you probably know, ITF (traditional Chang Hon) TKD has re-entered Republic of Korea after over three decades of exile... the public (internationally) is looking for a true MARTIAL art. The WTF is known as the "olympic Style" with such groups as the USTU and other NGB's representing this sporting style. The WTF is probably 100% behind the USTW attempting to introduce the general public to the "traditional" side of WTF TaeKwonDo!

I am an advocate of TKD not the WTF or the ITF...there are great practitioners in each federation. Great "sporting" stylists in the ITF and great "hard / traditional" stylists in the WTF (not how most people invision things). Sure I have a preference as to the pattern set and methodology I Learn / Teach...but politics removed they are each TKD!

P.S. there was a right up in TKDT about 2 or 3 issues back...not alot of depth but thought I would let you know!

Keep me up to date on your findings as I am very interested in the TKD movement (back to Tradition that is!)

TAEKWON!
Spookey

[takeshitoyama]

Actually, Just today I recieved word of 3 international teams joining the USTW, 2 teams from Mexico and 1 team from Ghana....(or Guam...I couldn't hear the speaker very well)

[takeshitoyama]

Forgot to add, I did read that article about them in the TKDT and there has been frequent references to them throughout the magazine these days.