The Tenets of Taekwon-do:
Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-control
Indomitable Spirit

Taekwon-do Oath:
I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-do.
I shall respect the instructor and seniors.
I shall never misuse Taekwon-do.
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.
I shall build a more peaceful world.

TAEKWON-DO… - A special, spectacular Korean way of fighting, based on kicks, punches and blocks, pure empty hand self-defense or close-range combat system, modern competitive sport, or the art of fine movements?

Yes.

These all can be mentioned as a definition, but the content is much more than this. Real Taekwon-do IS a MARTIAL ART. It is a special lifestyle and way of behavior, a strict education system and philosophy built on traditions. At the same time it is combined with military discipline accepted voluntarily during the trainings.

The expression “Taekwon-do” has a Korean origin. The meaning of the name composed of three metaphors is the following:

TAE = foot technique or kicking,
KWON = hand technique or fist,
DO = spiritual way, art or method.

So, TAEKWON-DO translated word by word means “The art of fighting with the technique of foot and hand”, or just simply “The art of self defense”. From another point of view, Taekwon-do is science, the scientific use of the body in the martial art. With the knowledge of the principles of anatomy, biomechanics and physics, and with intensive training, man is able to bring out hidden abilities and mobilize the maximum power of his body. However, we shouldn’t forget that the practice of techniques alone – no matter how intensive sport activity it may be – will not make anyone a real martial artist. This can only be reached by the addition of proper mental background, moral culture, spiritual power and motivation.

Grandmaster Harmat László IX.Dan, the founder and president of Hungarian Taekwon-do, lived abroad for many years. As a member and competitor of the Swedish National Team he trained in the USA, Korea and Canada, where he become a personal student of the Taekwon-do founder, grandmaster General Choi Hong Hi. He returned to Hungary in 1977, and in the same year on the 7th of September he founded the Hungarian Taekwon-do and opened the first Central Training Hall at 23. Hermina Street in the 14th district of Budapest. Because of the constantly growing number of members, in the year 1981 the “Central team” moved to the much bigger “Blue sports hall” of Ganz Vill. Co. at Marczibányi Square. From 1990 the activity of the Central Training Hall continued at the Sports Hall of the School in Fillér Street 70-76 (in the second district of Budapest) with the personal leadership of Grandmaster Harmat László. According to the traditions of our famous club we take care of the legacy and teachings of our Founder General Choi Hong Hi by spreading and popularizing his true Traditional ITF Taekwon-do!