Chosen as the definitive Korean martial art, taekwondo is trademarked by its powerful combination of kick movements. Taekwondo, which means "the way of kicking and striking," was introduced to the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport at the Seoul 1988 Games, only recently becoming an official Olympic Sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. During those games, 103 athletes — 55 men and 48 women — from 51 countries took part in the taekwondo competition. General Choi Hong Hi, a Korean army general, is widely thought of as the "father of taekwondo." He is thought to have combined elements of taekkyeon and karate to form the sport.

In Olympic taekwondo, four weight classes divide the competitors, who compete in a single-elimination tournament for the gold and silver medals. The eliminated competitors then compete again for the bronze. Competitors are awarded a point for each legitimate blow and are deducted points for penalties.

Taekwondo is the national sport of South Korea, so it is no surprise the country leads in the medal count. Within the United States, the Lopez family from Sugarland, Texas has emerged as a leader of the sport. Steven Lopez has already won 2 Olympic gold medals in taekwondo and competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games along with his sister Diane and brother Mark. They are the first family of three to compete in an Olympic Games since 1904. Taekwondo’s popularity continues to expand as the sport, like Judo, has developed many different styles.

Chicago is home to the top rated martial arts school in the nation, the Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts (http://www.degerberg.com). Programs at schools and other institutions, like the Degerberg Academy, consistently produce junior level taekwondo athletes. These juniors, if they continue to be successful, are prime hopefuls for the Olympics and other international competitions.

Arlene Limas, a native Chicagoan, became the first American to win a gold medal in Taekwondo. United States Olympic Taekwondo coach Master Juan Moreno also hails from Chicago.

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